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

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. As part of the Community Tree Program, Branch Out directly addresses this inequity by bringing trees—and the support to care for them—into neighborhoods that need them most.

Tree Requests Closed

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.

Tacoma residents in these neighborhoods can:

Request trees online by October 11th for the full-service Branch Out program and receive support with tree-matching, delivery, and planting assistance (upon request) the week of November 2nd, 2026.

OR

Visit our November 7th Tree Share to consult with our tree experts to pick out the right tree for you to take home and plant yourself!

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

Request period will open in September

BRANCH OUT TIMELINE

September 4- Tree Requests Open

October 11 - Tree Requests Closed

October 19 - Tree Offers Made

October 26 - Tree Offers Confirmed

November 2-6 - Tree Delivery

November 7 - Planting Event and Tree Share

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!

Volunteer Registration Live in October

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.

Promote Branch out by becoming your neighborhood’s Tree Steward

Learn more about becoming a Tree Steward

Funding is provided by the City of Tacoma through the Community Tree Program, with support from a growing network of grassroots and institutional partners as mentioned above.

This program is rooted in partnership and community. With funding from the City of Tacoma’s Urban Forestry Program, our partnership supports the long-term growth and stewardship of Tacoma’s tree canopy.

- 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.