Free yard trees for all Portlanders continue mission of PP&R’s Urban Forestry

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A father and son load a new yard tree into their pickup truck. Portland Parks & Recreation is hosting five Yard Tree Giveaway events in 2021, continuing an annual tradition.
Five yard tree giveaway events begin September 25, 2021, where Portland neighbors can register in advance for free trees for their yard. This is part of Portland Parks & Recreation's mission to grow, preserve, and protect the city's urban forest.
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Portland Parks & Recreation’s Urban Forestry will give away 1,800 free yard trees at five autumn events. The Yard Tree Giveaway series helps increase tree cover across the city and makes trees accessible to everyone. Anyone living in Portland is eligible for up to two free trees to plant on private property. Advance registration is required at portland.gov/free-yard-trees.

"All Portlanders have felt the effects of another record-breaking year for extreme heat," notes Portland Parks Commissioner Carmen Rubio. "And science shows that trees play a substantial role in the fight against climate change. One way to cool our City and mitigate these impacts is to plant large-growing trees. I appreciate Portland Parks & Recreation's efforts to mitigate climate change by promoting tree planting in parks, on public roads, and on private property to increase trees' positive impact on all Portlanders, wildlife, and our environment."

Portland Parks & Recreation is explicitly working on planting more trees in the hottest areas of our city – nearly all those locations are east of the Willamette River. The Yard Tree Giveaway events are geared towards neighborhoods with the highest temperatures and fewest trees.

“By planting trees, we can provide shade and cooling for Portlanders, their homes, and our City for generations to come,” says Portland Parks & Recreation Director Adena Long. “The Yard Tree Giveaway events are an excellent way to help grow the urban canopy, beautify neighborhoods and properties, and to help wildlife, people, and the environment.”

PP&R offers 16 types of free trees to choose from - large-growing, native, and evergreen trees, all of which provide the most benefits to the environment.  After registering, neighbors pick up trees, mulch, and a watering bucket at one of our five Saturday drive-thru events*:

Saturday, September 25, 2021
8:30 am – 1:00 pm
Southeast Portland – PP&R Maintenance Yard next to Mt. Tabor Park
6437 SE Division Street, Portland, Oregon 97215

Saturday, October 9, 2021
8:30 am – 1:00 pm
North Portland – St. Johns Community Center
8427 N Central Street, Portland, Oregon 97203

Saturday, October 23, 2021
8:30 am – 1:00 pm
Southeast Portland – Ron Russell Middle School
3955 SE 112th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97266

Saturday, November 6, 2021
8:30 am – 1:00 pm
Northeast Portland – Trinity Lutheran Christian School
5520 N Killingsworth Street, Portland, Oregon 97218

Saturday, November 20, 2021
8:30 am – 1:00 pm

Southeast Portland – PP&R Maintenance Yard next to Mt. Tabor Park
6437 SE Division Street, Portland, Oregon 97215

*Free delivery is available to homes in the Centennial, Glenfair, and Sumner neighborhoods. Staff will also deliver and plant trees for people who need accommodation.

Advance registration is required for free trees at portland.gov/free-yard-trees or call 503-823-4963. Para obtener información en español, llame al 503-823-4025.

Since the first Yard Tree Giveaway event in 2017, Urban Forestry has given away more than 3,000 trees. Science shows that trees play a substantial role in the fight against climate change by removing carbon dioxide and other particulate matter from the air. They help consumers conserve energy by significantly cooling neighborhoods during the summer months. Trees also reduce stress levels and buffer noise. Trees improve our health and provide essential services for all Portlanders. They clean the air, and provide shade for people, animals, plants, and homes. 

Guidelines for Receiving a Free Tree:

  • Advanced registration is required
  • Trees are not to be planted in containers or for use as street trees
  • Trees must be planted within the City of Portland in private yards, on property around apartment buildings or in neighborhood common spaces, if there is property owner approval
  • Limit two trees per address
  • Trees are not to be used to fulfill planting permit requirements

For any questions, contact Molly Wilson in Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry at freetrees@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-4963.

About Portland Parks & Recreation UrbanForestry

The mission of PP&R’s Urban Forestry (UF) division is to manage and care for Portland's tree infrastructure in the City for current and future generations. Portland’s urban forest consists of 220,000 street trees, 1.2 million park trees, and innumerable private property trees. The Urban Forestry division is involved in managing or regulating these trees. UF created and implements the City of Portland's Urban Forest Management Plan, fosters community tree awareness and stewardship, develops tree policies and programs, monitors and assesses Portland’s urban forest, and issues permits for planting, pruning, and removal of public and some private trees. During year-round extreme weather, UF crews respond to tree emergencies to keep you safe and the City moving.