Seattle opens registration for FREE TREES on August 4th at 10 AM. Thanks Denis for the heads-up! If you\’ve never planted a tree before but you have a spot in mind, ReLeaf will teach you how and give away free trees to residents, first-come, first-serve. They usually run out in a few hours, so sign up on the 4th for the best chance at a tree this year. Re-green the neighborhood and even produce some food if you select an edible variety (sour cherry and serviceberry). Here\’s the link with more info and the list of trees available in 2014.
Trees for Neighborhoods participants receive:
- Free trees (up to 4 per household). We offer a variety of small, medium, and large trees appropriate under power lines, along the street, and in the yard. Check out this year’s available trees
- A watering bag for each tree
- Training on proper planting and care
- Assistance applying for street tree planting permits
- Ongoing care reminders and workshop opportunities, such as pruning
Great trees for your yard:
Shore pine (Pinus contorta ‘contorta’)
Incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens)
Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
Vine maple (Acer circinatum)
Montmorency cherry (Prunus cerasus)—only 1 per household
Trees appropriate for planting along the street (with a street tree permit):
White oak (Quercus alba)—8 ft. planting strip
Black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica)—6 ft. planting strip
Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)—8 ft. planting strip
Silver linden (Tilia tomentosa ‘Green Mountain’)—8 ft. planting strip
Trees approved for planting under power lines:
American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana)—5 ft. planting strip
Persian parrotia (Parrotia persica)—5 ft. planting strip
Autumn Brilliance serviceberry (Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Autumn Brilliance’)—4 ft. planting strip
ReLeaf really does help you every step of the way, from getting a permit if you want to plant along the street, to proper tree selection for your chosen site, and guidance on planting and care. If you sign up August 4th, expect to be notified late September to attend a tree-planting workshop before the trees arrive mid-October, just in time for the start of Seattle tree-planting season.
The City of Seattle aims to restore our urban canopy to 30% in the next 20 years. As construction cranes and bulldozers compete for every underdeveloped spare foot, making Seattle the fastest growing city in the country right now, the idea that we can increase our canopy 7% may seem naive. We\’re losing ground every day and the trees need us to find the right spot for the right tree. So take action. As our Ambassadors remind us, \”Stop Talking, Start Planting!\”