There’s nothing quite like a Tacoma summer day: deep blue skies follow an overcast morning leading into a warm afternoon which cools down as the sun sets over a salmon-pink horizon. This is why many of us choose to summer at home. But heat advisories are increasingly part of our summers, with average temperatures up by 3-5 degrees. In fact, we’re writing on a day that’s set to reach 95 degrees. Paired with an unusually dry winter, these temperatures make watering trees consistently and effectively a life-and-death matter–for trees and people. Yet thanks to everyone who supported our 2025 end-of-year campaign, TTF’s Planting Team is watering over 300 of the trees we’ve planted in Hilltop, South End, Roosevelt Park and Wapato Hills Park with the help of “Wanda,” the watering trailer. For us, providing this service is about caring for the trees and for you. These trees will grow to cool down school routes and neighborhoods and provide park visitors with ample shade under which to read, gather, or people-watch for many summers to come. If you see our team out there, make sure to wave, and don’t be shy about approaching us with your tree care questions!

If you’re thirsty, your tree’s thirsty! For newly planted trees to grow healthy, they must be watered from April to October. How we water matters: deep, infrequent watering is better than frequent shallow sprinkling; watering in the evening prevents water from evaporating. If your tree bag is draining immediately after filling, the ground is not yet fully saturated. We recommend you fill your tree bag multiple times a week until it starts to drain slowly over a couple days. Then, you can resume weekly watering. Don’t forget that a big mulch ring around the tree helps maintain moisture and suppress weeds that prevent water from penetrating the soil. Learn how to mulch here, and how to water here. If you notice a neighbor's tree needs water, you can share these resources or even offer to support their watering routine. Pick up a free watering bag from our Community Hub office during our Open Hours. 

Early Birders Walk and FLOCK Workshop

On July 18, we gathered at the W.W. Seymour Conservatory to kick off a day-long celebration of local birds. We began with a walk, co-led by Jaala Smith and Sarah Low alongside 12 enthusiastic neighbors. As we walked around Wright Park, we observed barn swallows, chickadees, crows, house sparrows, juncos, and Mallard ducks, and invoked the blue heron and red-winged blackbird, while sharing stories about our relationships with them. In the afternoon, we flocked to the Community Hub, where we contributed to Rachel Simmons’ community art FLOCK installation project by making beautiful prints of the birds we observed in the morning and many other local birds. We’re grateful to Rachel for bringing FLOCK to Tacoma, and to all the partners who made this collaboration happen: Springtide Press, Tacoma Creates, Tacoma Public Library, Yoshi Nakagawa, Write 253, and W.W. Seymour Conservatory.

Open Hours

Have you ever wished there was an app where all Greater Tacoma residents could get their urban tree questions answered? Well, we’re excited to share that we’re offering something like it–but better and in person! This month we kicked off our first ever Open Hours! Funded in part by Tacoma Creates, they are a crucial component of our new role at the Community Hub and our mission to grow community stewardship of the urban forest. Open Hours are staffed by a rotating slate of TTF team members eager to welcome Tacoma Public Library patrons and city residents, and field questions about trees and tree care, planting, policies, and programs. We’re looking forward to seeing you! Stay tuned on our social media to find out about upcoming themed open hours. 

Wednesdays from 5-7PM

Community Hub Entrances: 

S 11TH St and Court F

Tacoma Public Library’s 1ST FL, access stairs or elevator to 2nd FL.

Green Blocks: South Tacoma and SafeTREE Routes to School Tree Requests Open

July 10th is the last day to request a tree if you live in South Tacoma and want free trees for better safety, public health, beauty, habitat, and a sense of community in your neighborhood! Request a tree through our Green Blocks: South Tacoma and SafeTREE Routes to School programs through August 17 at 9am. 

Live in the neighborhood and unsure if you qualify for a tree? Request anyway and we’ll help you find the right program for your location. 

Can’t request a tree but want to get involved? Join us as a volunteer here! Invite your friends, neighbors, and family. 

Community Tree Program’s Green Blocks: South Tacoma 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. SafeTREE Routes to School funding is provided by the City of Tacoma and the USDA Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program in partnership with State of Washington Department of Natural Resources, Urban and Community Forestry Program.

Pierce County Community Tree Program Survey

Pierce County and Tacoma Tree Foundation are working in partnership to launch a neighborhood-focused program for Spanaway, Parkland, Midland, and South Hill to provide community outreach, education, and free trees starting in fall 2026!

If you want to get involved in bringing trees to your neighborhood, please fill out the survey below! We welcome any interest, questions, or comments to help us shape the program and better serve Pierce County communities. Feel free to share with family, neighbors, and friends who are interested in the urban forest!

Are you concerned about Greater Tacoma’s environmental, human, and social health? This is your chance to help grow a future where everyone, including our urban and marine wildlife, has access to the many benefits of trees! We’re growing our planting projects and service areas, focusing on the neighborhoods where trees have the greatest impact. And we need all the help we can get! Join our amazing team of volunteers! You’ll get to make friends, learn about our city, and feel good about contributing to our region’s future. We welcome volunteers of all abilities, ages, and skill levels. 

SIGN UP!

Curious to know what it’s like to volunteer for us? Check out these testimonials.

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