See something we could improve on this page? Give website feedback.
Label:
Information
Portland Parks & Recreation’s Urban Forestry provides trees for apartment buildings.
Trees for Apartments Interest Form
Program Overview
Bring more beauty, fresh air, and shade to multi-family living spaces! Apartment and multi-unit residential communities in Portland can receive free trees to enhance shared outdoor areas for residents to enjoy. We work with property owners and managers to select the right trees for the space and provide planting, watering, and care for the first three years—helping promote healthy growth and long-lasting benefits for your community. Renters are welcome to inquire about eligibility; we are happy to follow up with the property owner.
Tree planting is funded by the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF).
Eligibility
Tree planting locations must be within Portland city limits.
Urban Forestry focuses on different neighborhoods each year. The neighborhoods we will be planting in for 2026-2027 are:
- Argay
- Brooklyn
- Buckman
- Centennial
- Cathedral Park
- Cully
- East Columbia
- Eliot
- Glenfair
- Hayden Island
- Hazelwood
- Hosford-Abernethy
- Kenton
- Kerns
- Lents
- Linnton
- Lloyd District
- Mill Park
- Montavilla
- Northwest District
- Northwest Industrial
- Overlook
- Parkrose
- Parkrose Heights
- Powellhurst-Gilbert
- Russell
- St. Johns
- Sumner
- Sunderland
- University Park
- Wilkes
Timeline
Planting will start in December 2026.
- Year round: Properties are assessed for planting opportunities with property owners.
- December through March: Trees are planted.
- May through October: Trees are watered, mulched, pruned and maintained.
Interest Form
Interested in trees for your Apartment building? Please fill out the interest form and a representative from Urban Forestry will follow up with you. Unsure if you qualify for our program? Please contact us! We are happy to answer questions from property owners or renters.
Trees for Apartments Interest Form
Frequently Asked Questions
Why trees?
Trees provide essential services for all Portlanders. Planting trees helps cool down our neighborhoods and make living and working in Portland more comfortable during the hottest months. They also clean the air, buffer noise and improve our mental and physical health. On top of all of this, they provide year-round beauty.
I am not the owner of the property. Can I participate in the program?
Yes! Only the property owner can authorize plantings, but you can register your interest, and we'll reach out to the owner, or you can talk to them about filling out the interest form linked above.
I own property in Portland, but I live elsewhere. Can I participate in this program?
Yes! Any property within city limits is eligible for plantings regardless of where the owner resides.
How many trees will be planted?
You can request how many trees you would like in the interest form. Urban Forestry Staff will follow up and assess planting opportunities at the property.
Can I choose the types of trees?
Because of nursery availability and the number of trees we plant, we can't guarantee specific species for each property, but when you sign up, you're welcome to share your preferences.
What kinds of trees do you plant?
We focus on planting large, native, and evergreen trees wherever possible. These trees provide the most benefits to Portlanders. Large trees grow tall, live longer, and give more back to the community. Their large canopies create shade that helps cool neighborhoods in the summer and can improve public health while lowering energy use. They also clean the air, soak up rainwater, and support wildlife. Evergreen trees continue to provide benefits all year long. Because large trees last for many decades, they are a smart, long-term investment. In locations with height limits, like under high-voltage power lines, we plant smaller trees.
Who will plant the trees?
Professional contractors plant the trees on behalf of Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry.
Where will the trees be planted?
You can suggest where you want the trees planted in the interest form. Urban Forestry Staff will follow up and assess planting opportunities at the property. Not all properties have planting space available.
When will the trees be planted?
Trees will be planted each year, between November and March.
Who pays for this?
This program is primarily funded by the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) with contributions from the Tree Planting and Preservation Fund (TPPF), the Parks Operations Levy, and the General Fund.PCEF is funded by a 1% surcharge on large corporate retailers and is used for projects that reduce carbon emissions, create economic opportunity, and help make our city more resilient to climate change. TPPF is a dedicated city fund that collects fees from developers for removing trees during construction to finance new tree planting.
Who will take care of the trees?
You will not have to do anything for your new tree for the first three years! Urban Forestry contractors will plant, water, weed and prune the new trees until they are established. After the third summer, the trees will be the property owner's responsibility to maintain.
Why do you provide three years of care?
Young trees need help to get established. That's why we provide three years of free care to support their healthy growth.
In the first two years, our contractors water each tree once a week from May through October. In the third year, watering shifts to every other week. We also apply mulch to hold moisture and remove weeds around the base.
During the third year, an arborist will visit to provide structural pruning—setting the tree up for a strong, healthy future with fewer maintenance needs.
After three years, most trees are well-established and need very little summer water or care. This care is provided at no cost to property owners to give each tree the best chance to thrive.
What happens if the tree dies?
If the tree dies within the first three years, we'll remove and replace it for free.
Why are you planting in these neighborhoods?
Some parts of Portland—especially in East and North Portland—have fewer trees and less shade. While areas west of the Willamette River have 56% tree canopy, the east side (where most Portlanders live) has only 21%. We're planting where trees are needed most to help create a more equitable urban forest. For more information, see Portland's citywide tree planting strategy, "Growing a More Equitable Urban Forest."
Why do you mark utilities?
We are required to mark utilities before digging. We also want to make sure that we place your new tree far enough from underground utilities that it is unlikely to cause problems as it grows.
What other tree planting programs does Urban Forestry have?
We have many programs under Urban Forestry. Here is a list of all of our programs:
What is Urban Forestry?
Urban Forestry is a division of Portland Parks & Recreation. Urban Forestry's mission is to manage and ensure Portland's urban forest infrastructure for current and future generations. Urban Forestry is committed to working with property owners, residents, contractors, and communities to enhance the urban forest and optimize the services that trees provide us all.