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Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry plants free street trees in planting strips. These trees will be watered, mulched, weeded, and pruned for three years after planting.
Program Overview
Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry contractors plant and establish approximately 1,000 - 1,400 street trees annually. Street trees provide many services, including:
- Summer shade and cooling
- Reduced air and noise pollution
- Stormwater absorption
- More walkable neighborhoods
- Slower traffic speeds
- Stress reduction
Tree planting is funded by the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF).
I want to opt-out of Free Street Tree planting
Did you receive a notice about Free Street Tree planting adjacent to your property? If you wish to decline trees, you may opt out of the program between August 17, 2026 and September 18, 2026 via one of the following methods:
- Opt-out of Free Street Trees on the web, or
- Call (503) 823-4025 and leave a voicemail with your full name, address of the property, phone number, and request to opt out, or
- Email freetrees@portlandoregon.gov with your full name, address of the property, and your request to opt out.
Please do not submit more than one request. Urban Forestry staff will process your request in the order it was received.
I received a postcard about a Free Street Tree Planting Survey
If you received a Street Tree Planting Survey postcard, it means that your address will be surveyed for potential planting space. Carefully selected planting sites will be marked by a white mark along the adjacent curb.
If your address is eligible for planting in November of 2026 to March 2027, you will receive notices in the mail in late summer of 2026 when our field survey is complete. These notices will provide more information regarding the purpose of the program, and will include instructions for opting out if you do not wish to receive a free street tree. Please note that opting out before receiving these notices in the mail is not possible.
We will survey the following neighborhoods from February to August 2026:
- Alameda
- Beaumont-Wilshire
- Concordia
- Grant Park
- Hazelwood
- Hosford-Abernethy
- Irvington
- Laurelhurst
- Madison South
- Mt. Tabor
- North Tabor
- Pleasant Valley
- Reed
- Richmond
- Sabin
- Sellwood-Moreland
- Sunnyside
Please call the Free Street Tree office at 503-823-4425 with any questions or concerns about the planting survey.
For more information, check out our Frequently Asked Questions section below.
Neighborhoods we will plant in 2026-2027
This winter, November 2026 to March 2027, up to 1,250 street trees will be planted in:
- Beaumont-Wilshire
- Brentwood-Darlington
- Brooklyn
- Grant Park
- Hollywood
- Hosford-Abernethy
- Madison South
- North Tabor
- Rose City Park
- Sullivan's Gulch
- Vernon
- Woodstock
Trees will be planted in the public right-of-way planting strip, between the curb and sidewalk. Planting locations are chosen to avoid utilities and maximize tree canopy. Planting locations are currently being surveyed or have been surveyed and marked by a white mark along the adjacent curb when possible.
In addition to planting, contractors will water and maintain trees for the following three summers. After the third summer, trees become the responsibility of the adjacent property owner to maintain, which is the same for all street trees under Portland City Code 11.60.060.A.2.a.
Species - What kind of trees do you plant?
We select trees from the City’s Approved Street Tree Planting Lists, prioritizing species that are low-maintenance, climate-resilient, and well-suited to the planting site. These trees are chosen to thrive in the space, support neighborhood health, and mitigate issues with existing infrastructure.
Because of the limited trees available for each site type and the large number of trees we plant each year, we can’t accommodate individual species requests.
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.
What is a street tree?
A street tree is a tree planted on city property in the public right-of-way - usually the strip between the sidewalk and the curb.
How do I know if I'm getting a street tree?
If you're eligible, we'll mark carefully selected planting sites with white on the curb in front of your home and send two letters - one in August and one in September- to let you know.
Can I use this program to fulfill the planting requirements of a permit?
Yes! Trees from this program may be used to meet the replanting requirement of a Tree Removal and Replanting Permit. While we don't perform the tree removal itself, once the dead or dying tree has been taken out, we can provide the required replacement tree. However, getting a tree from us does not automatically fulfill tree removal/replant permit requirements. Please follow all instructions and requirements as specified in your permit. It is the permit holder's responsibility to complete the permit paperwork.
Please note that trees from this program cannot be used for plantings required as part of a building permit or for corrections required as part of a tree code violation. If you have any questions about your permit, contact Trees@PortlandOregon.gov or call (503) 823-8733.
How many trees will be planted?
Most homes will receive 1-3 trees, depending on available right-of-way space in front of the property. Locations are carefully chosen to avoid utility conflicts and allow healthy spacing (usually 20-25 feet between trees).
Can I choose the types of trees?
We select trees from the City's Approved Street Tree Planting Lists, prioritizing species that are low-maintenance, climate-resilient, and well-suited to the planting site. These trees are chosen to thrive in the space, support neighborhood health, and not conflict with existing infrastructure.
Because of the limited trees available for each site type and the large number of trees we plant each year, we can't accommodate individual species requests.
What kinds of trees do you plant?
We select trees suited to the available space from the City's Approved Street Tree Planting List. These trees are chosen for their ability to thrive in Portland's changing climate, while being low-maintenance, drought-tolerant and resilient to pests and disease.
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.
Can I have a tree planted in my yard?
This program is for planting street trees, but you may be eligible for a free yard tree through our Yard Tree Giveaway or Trees for Residential Streets programs.
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.
What if I want to remove the tree?
You'll need to apply for a Tree Removal and Replant Permit from the City.
What if the tree damages my utilities or sidewalks?
We choose species that fit the space and follow City planting guidelines. Utilities are checked twice before planting. This program operates in compliance with Portland's Approved Street Tree Planting Lists and Planting Specifications to reduce potential infrastructure damage.
The adjacent property owner is responsible for maintaining the sidewalk adjacent to their property. More information on sidewalk repair can be found on the Portland Bureau of Transportation website.
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 neighborhoods where trees are needed the 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.
I got the eligibility letter but I don't want a tree. How do I opt out?
You can decline by contacting Urban Forestry before September 15th of the planting year. Details will be in the letter you receive.
Can someone who didn't get a letter still get a free street tree?
Only property owners who are sent a notification letter are eligible for free street trees through this project. However, there are other City-sponsored tree planting programs that are worth taking a look at. If you are in the neighborhoods that we are planting in and believe your address may be eligible, please call the office at 503-823-4025 so our staff can review your site.
What other tree planting programs does Urban Forestry have?
We have many programs under Urban Forestry. Here is a list of all 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.
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