The sign-up form for free trees takes 5-10 minutes to complete.
Sign up using the form below
Program Overview
Help grow a greener, cooler, and more walkable community with free trees. We plant trees in front yards and along streets—on both public and private property—to boost shade, clean the air, and create safer, more inviting neighborhoods.
Our focus is on areas with few trees and streets without sidewalks or curbs, so every neighborhood can enjoy the benefits of a healthy tree canopy.
Each year, we select several neighborhoods for the program. If yours is included, you can sign up and tell us where you'd like trees. A team member will visit your property to evaluate the space and mark planting spots. We’ll handle the planting the following winter and the watering for the next three years—free of charge.
Sign-ups open each spring. Trees are planted between November and March.
Eligibility
You’re eligible if you:
- Live in one of the 2025-2026 neighborhoods listed below:
- Brentwood Darlington
- Centennial
- Glenfair
- Hazelwood
- Lents
- Powelhurst-Gilbert
- Mill Park
- Montavilla
- Parkrose
- Parkrose Heights
- Have space in your front yard or along the street (sorry – we can’t plant in backyards or behind locked gates)
- Sign up using the form on this page (we are now taking rolling sign-ups for the 2025-2026 planting season)
- Agree to let Urban Forestry access and care for the trees for three years
Note: This program does not remove trees. However, if you have a tree removal and replanting permit, we can plant your replacement tree after the old tree has been removed to meet your permit requirement.
Tree Species
Check out the Tree List linked above for this season's tree offerings. 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.
Because of nursery availability and the number of trees we plant, we can’t guarantee specific species for each home, but when you sign up, you’re welcome to share your preferences and we’ll do our best to match them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why trees?
Trees provide essential services for all Portlanders. Planting trees along residential streets helps cool down our neighborhoods and make Portland streets safer and more walkable 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.
Where will my free trees be planted?
You get to decide! When you sign up, you can choose the number and location for your free trees. Trees must be visible from the street and spaced away from other existing trees and utilities, but we will do our best to put the tree in your preferred location. Urban Forestry staff will visit your property and mark the planting locations with white spray paint. You will then be notified by email or phone. If you no longer want trees or wish a location to be changed after you are notified by Urban Forestry staff, please contact us by email at FreeTrees@PortlandOregon.gov within two weeks of receiving notification of the proposed tree locations.
What are the next steps after I fill out the sign-up form?
After you submit your form, we will verify the address falls within an eligible neighborhood. If your neighborhood isn't eligible this year you will be added to our waitlist, and we will reach out when we are planting near you. If your address is in an eligible neighborhood an Urban Forestry arborist will then:
o Request utility checks for your site, to ensure safe planting away from water, septic and gas lines
o Visit your property to confirm if a tree can be planted
o Mark the planting location (which may be adjusted slightly for utilities or other conflicts)
We’ll follow up by email or phone (whichever you prefer). If the marked location looks good to you, we’ll add it to our fall/winter planting list. If you no longer want trees or wish a location to be changed after you are notified by Urban Forestry staff, please contact us by email at FreeTrees@PortlandOregon.gov within two weeks of receiving notification of the proposed tree locations.
Can I choose the type of tree?
Because of nursery availability and the number of trees we plant, we can’t guarantee specific species for each home, but when you sign up, you’re welcome to share your preferences and we’ll do our best to match them.
Why do you provide three years of care?
Young trees need a little 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. 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 Urban Forestry 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.
When will the trees be planted?
Our planting season is from November 15 to March 31. Urban Forestry will email you before the planting season begins but due to time constraints, we will not be able to tell you the exact date your tree will be planted.
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 utilities that it is unlikely to cause problems as it grows.
Will I have to care for the tree?
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 your responsibility to maintain, which is the same for all trees under Portland City Code 11.60.060.A.2.a.
What happens if the tree dies?
If the tree dies in the first three years, we will replace it for free. If the tree dies after it is turned over to your care, you may be required to replace it.
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 and plant 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.
What other tree planting programs does Urban Forestry have?
We have many programs under Urban Forestry. You can find them in the related section above. Here is a list of all of our programs:
Who pays for this?
This program is funded by the City’s Tree Planting and Preservation Fund (TPPF) and by the Portland Clean Energy fund (PCEF). TPPF is used to plant trees to compensate for those removed during property development and other situations. The money for PCEF comes from a 1% surcharge on large corporate retailers and is used to fund projects that reduce carbon emissions, create economic opportunity and help make our city more resilient to climate change.
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.
Sign-Up Form
Fill out the form below to sign up for free trees for your property.