The trees are alive with the hues of autumn! Bright reds, yellows, and oranges shine through the dense morning fog that announces cooler temperatures and the return of the rains. This past week, we’ve reached for our puffy vests and beanies as the nights and mornings grow colder. But we’re still waiting for a good reason to dust off our rain gear. It has been an unusually dry October. While we’re grateful for the extended mountain views, we’ve noticed the pleasure these bring is mixed with a lingering feeling, an uneasiness that creeps up like a tiny tendril. We’ve also experienced it when checking on the TTF trees and on our outdoor plants and pots at home. It’s been helpful to reflect on this feeling in light of a recently coined term: solastalgia. Created by philosopher Glenn Albrecht to address emotional responses to climate change, it describes a form of homesickness when still at home. Our environment, whether the Puget Sound or a community garden we frequent, is our home. When climate change permanently alters our home, or even slightly changes how our home feels and looks, our psychological well-being is impacted. The rains are slowly returning. But remaining alert to how we respond to environmental change is an important step toward taking care of ourselves and others. Connecting with nature directly relieves our uneasiness, and by planting and caring for trees, we can make sure Greater Tacoma will always feel like home.

The forecast suggests the rains are returning. Now is a good time to remove your water bags. Leaving them on yearlong damages tree health. But we encourage you to watch the weather and continue to check your tree’s site for moisture. When in doubt, email info@tacomatreefoundation.org or visit our Open Hours on Wednesdays, 5-7pm!

Green Blocks: Hilltop Tree Share

On September 26th, we kicked off our fall planting season with the Green Blocks: Hilltop Tree Share! We shared a variety of deciduous and evergreen trees with Hilltop residents to be planted in the right-of-way. If you missed this opportunity to get trees, join us in our final year of Green Blocks: Hilltop in March 2027. You can request your trees now to receive free site assessment, delivery, and planting assistance in the spring. Thank you to all the Hilltop residents that stopped by and adopted their forever tree!

Check out our website to learn more about the program and request a tree!

Community Conversations: Trees in Tacoma

In August and September, we teamed up with three partner organizations to hold a series of community conversations about local urban forest policies. The goal was to learn from community members whose voices are sometimes absent from public policy conversations. Their feedback will inform our approach as we advocate for stronger and more equitable tree codes through the City of Tacoma’s Urban Forest Priority Action Plan process in the coming months. Special thanks to The Tacoma Urban League, Mi Centro, and Asia Pacific Cultural Center for hosting us and inviting their communities to join!

Green Blocks: South Tacoma & SafeTREE Routes to School Plantings

On October 3rd, we kicked off our first planting event of the season with Green Blocks: South Tacoma! We started the morning at the STAR Center chatting with friends, enjoying snacks, and gearing up with our high-vis vests. We then split into 10 teams to provide planting assistance for residents throughout the South Tacoma neighborhood. Through the Green Blocks program, we provided planting assistance to 73 residents and shared a total of 176 trees. A huge thank you to all the residents and volunteers who participated in the program!

On October 7th, we celebrated the second planting event for the SafeTREE Routes to School program! This program works to plant along suggested walking routes to increase tree canopy, improve neighborhood safety, and create healthier, cooler ways to go to school. We gathered at Manitou Park to hear about the progress of the program from council member Kristina Walker, City of Tacoma Urban Forestry member, Lisa Kenny, and SafeTREE Routes Coordinator, Chandra Rourde. We provided planting assistance to 19 residents and shared a total of 57 trees. Thank you to the participating residents and volunteers who have helped create greener routes to school!

Green Tacoma Day

On October 10th, in celebration of Green Tacoma Day,  over 70 volunteers joined us, Parks Tacoma, and City of Tacoma, at Wapato Hills Park to plant 18 trees. The event opened with a welcome from Lizzy Matteri (City of Tacoma, Open Space Program) and a Land Acknowledgement and thank you to partners from TTF Executive Director Lowell Wyse. Volunteers worked in groups to plant a total of nine large oak trees to complete the line planted the previous year, and eight fruit trees. Volunteers also staked and mulched each newly planted tree and added mulch around existing trees to support their health and growth. Green Tacoma Day demonstrates the importance of partnerships and community involvement in caring for Tacoma’s urban forest. It was a great reminder that growing a greener, healthier Tacoma takes all of us!

BRANCH OUT

Tree Share: Visit our November 7th Tree Share and pick the right tree for your space in consultation with our experts. Then, take it home to plant with the help of friends, neighbors, or family!

Branch Out Tree Share | 10am-1pm

Volunteer: We’re reaching the last planting event of the fall! Volunteer at Branch Out on Nov. 7 to stock up on planting, trees and community energy in time for winter. Our planting events are family friendly and open to all abilities and skill levels! Bring your friends, family, neighbors or coworkers and help plant trees for Tacoma residents. If you’re not already on our volunteer list, sign up here!

Planting Event | November 7 | 9:00am-1:00pm

SATE OF THE URBAN FOREST

Join TTF and Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello at the 5th annual State of the Urban Forest, our report to the community about our accomplishments, policy, data, and the challenges ahead. We’ll be celebrating the City of Tacoma’s historical increase in tree canopy and learning about Pierce County’s plans to ensure our region’s urban forest grows along with our population. After the presentation, support our fundraising call and toast to a tree-lined Pierce County!

CALL FOR BOARD MEMBERS

Are you a community leader who supports our vision for the future? Consider applying to serve on our Board of Directors! TTF Board members are core supporters who help guide the organization by setting strategies, providing oversight, creating community connections, and ensuring we fulfill our mission. 

Our Board members serve two-year terms that begin in January. The minimum time commitment is 4 hours per month. Folks from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds with expertise in finance/accounting, organizational leadership, inclusion, public policy, and environmental issues are especially encouraged to apply. Anyone older than age 18 is welcome to apply! 

To apply, please fill out this form by Oct 30, 2026. For more on our current Board of Directors, including our bylaws, visit our people page.

ADVOCACY CORNER

The City of Tacoma is requesting public feedback on several neighborhood projects. City planners need to hear from community members that trees matter! Adding trees along these roadways and intersections will help with safety, air quality, and neighborhood connections.  

• I-5 Crossings study: Offer comments on the safety and design of these intersections that cut through the heart of Tacoma, and make sure you check the “landscaping” box on every one! Share how you interact with I-5 and how trees can be part of improving these areas for the future.  

• Connecting South Tacoma Way survey: Share your favorite benefits of trees in business districts. Remind planners that trees can help calm traffic, enhance the neighborhood identity, and help with economic development. Streets are for people—not just cars!

UPCOMING EVENTS

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

IT’S SPIDER SEASON!