Free Trees for Hilltop, Eastside, South End and South Tacoma neighborhoods.

Branch Out is a tree giveaway collaboration between the City of Tacoma’s Urban Forestry Program, the Tacoma Tree Foundation, Pierce Conservation District, and a dynamic network of community partners working together to grow a healthier, more connected, and equitable urban forest in the Tacoma area. More than just a tree giveaway, Branch Out is a platform for community building, storytelling, and shared action at the intersection of trees, public health, and social equity.

We believe everyone deserves the benefits of tree-lined streets, clean air, and cooler neighborhoods. We also recognize that Tacoma’s tree canopy is unevenly distributed, often leaving historically underserved communities more vulnerable to pollution, extreme heat, and continued disinvestment. Branch Out directly addresses this inequity by bringing trees—and the support to care for them—into neighborhoods that need them most.

Residents in our focus neighborhoods can sign up to receive FREE TREES for their property in November, as well as request planting support from our volunteer teams.

Tree species are dependent on availability. We will be offering large shade trees, utility-friendly trees, evergreen and deciduous trees, and a limited number of fruit trees, along with resources from Harvest Pierce County.

- Reduce tree canopy disparities by expanding access to trees for historically marginalized communities where public tree planting is not possible.
- Increase total urban canopy coverage to improve air quality, reduce urban heat island effects, and enhance community well-being.
- Ensure strategic investment of public funds by targeting tree distribution to maximize public benefit while complying with municipal policies.
- Provide choice and flexibility to accommodate different property sizes and homeowner preferences while balancing cost-effectiveness and impact.ion text goes here

Read about how we are measuring our impact on Tacoma’s tree equity here

BRANCH OUT TIMELINE

TBD - Tree Requests Open

Oct 6 - Tree Requests Closed

Oct 17 - Tree Offers Made

Oct 27 - Tree Requests Confirmed

Nov 3-7 - Tree Delivery

Nov. 8 - Planting Event

Be a Branch Out Volunteer

We would love help from volunteers of all ages to plant on residential and public properties. No experience is required! By offering planting assistance we lower barriers to tree planting across the Tacoma area. Join us! Sign up below to help your neighbors plant trees!

Volunteer Open in October

Promote Branch out by becoming your neighborhood’s Tree Steward

Learn more about becoming a Tree Steward

Tree Stewards are community tree champions who help grow and protect Tacoma’s urban canopy. Through our free training program, stewards learn proper planting techniques, tree care best practices, local regulations, and how to answer tree-related questions.

Tree Stewards help the Foundation implement and maintain neighborhood plantings. By sharing their expertise with neighbors, Stewards also support the Foundation’s mission to educate and empower community members in the Tacoma area and, in the long term, they help preserve the city’s urban forest.