Program Overview
Every fall, Portland residents can receive up to three free trees to plant in their yard. This can be at your home, place of worship, or business. Choose your tree and pick it up at one of our Saturday events from late September through early November. If you need help, we also offer free delivery and planting.
Our goal is to grow a healthier, greener city—together. We offer large native evergreens, heat-tolerant trees for hotter summers, and some medium-sized tree for smaller yards. Whatever your space, there’s a tree for you!
Reminder Form
More trees are coming in Fall 2025 - don't miss out!
Fill out the Yard Tree Giveaway Reminder form to get a reminder email when sign-ups open in September.
Eligibility
You’re eligible if :
- The trees will be planted at an address within Portland city limits
- The trees can be planted in a front, side or backyard. They cannot be used as street trees (the space between the curb and the side walk).
- You will allow Urban Forestry to check on your tree during the summer as part of a study
Volunteer
Have enough trees in your yard? You can still help grow Portland’s tree canopy!
Every Saturday this fall, we’ll host an event to give away around 300 trees —and we need volunteers to make it happen. No experience needed! We’ll provide all the tools and training.
Volunteer tasks may include:
- Welcoming and guiding community members
- Filling buckets with mulch
- Preparing trees for planting
Volunteer sign-ups open in September 2025.
Tree Species & Tree Care
We offer a variety of medium to large trees, including native, evergreen, conifer, and deciduous options. Every tree is sized to fit in a car, truck, or even ride the bus home with you!
When choosing your tree, consider the space in your yard for roots and branches, and how much sunlight the area gets.
Look at our species lists linked below to see the full list of trees available during Yard Tree Giveaway.
Árboles para patios para el otoño de 2024
Осень 2024 Декоративные деревья
When you pick up your tree, we’ll send you home with a free watering bucket filled with mulch and educational materials to show you how to properly plant and care for your tree. You can view and print the information on how to plant and care for your tree here:
How to properly plant and care for your tree (English).
Plantar y cuidar un árbol nuevo (Spanish)
Trồng và Chăm sóc Cho một cây mới (Vietnamese)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I plant my yard tree?
Plant trees at least:
- 10 feet from your home
- 2 feet from property lines
- 5 feet from driveways and water meters
For help picking the best spot, check out Right Tree, Right Place from the Arbor Day Foundation.
How do I plant and care for my tree?
We’ll send you home with a free watering bucket filled with mulch and educational materials to show you how to properly plant and care for your tree. You can view and print the information on how to plant and care for your tree here:
Download PDF fileHow to properly plant and care for your tree (English).
Download PDF filePlantar y cuidar un árbol nuevo (Spanish)
Download PDF fileTrồng và Chăm sóc Cho một cây mới (Vietnamese)
Download PDF fileПосадка и уход за новым деревом (Russian)
Download PDF file栽种 和 照料 适用于 新 栽种的 树木 (Simplified Chinese)
Why trees?
Trees provide essential services for all Portlanders. Planting trees at our homes helps cool down our neighborhoods and makes Portland streets 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.
What if I need help planting my tree?
We offer free delivery and planting assistance for community members with limited mobility or accessibility needs. Just let us know—we're here to help.
Can I partner with Yard Tree Giveaway or host a giveaway?
Yes! If you are interested in getting the word out about free yard trees or you have a large parking lot that could host an event or have a group that wants to volunteer at one of our events, please contact Molly Willson: FreeYardTrees@portlandoregon.gov or (503) 823-4963
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:
Where can I plant my tree?
Yard trees should be planted a minimum of 10 feet from any side of your house, two feet from property lines or five feet from a driveway or water meter. For advice on where in your yard to plant your tree, check out Right Tree, Right Place from the Arbor Day Foundation.
What if I can't plant a tree myself?
Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry will provide yard tree delivery and planting for Portlanders with limited mobility or need an accommodation. Let us know how we can help.
What will I receive with my yard tree?
We’ll send you home with a free watering bucket filled with mulch and educational materials to show you how to properly plant and care for your tree.
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.