What is the Green Blocks program?

We are bringing trees to the Tacoma Mall neighborhood in '22–'23 with the support of the City of Tacoma. Residents of the area bordered by I-5, South Tacoma Way, and South 56th Street can sign up with us to receive free trees for their right-of-way! 

Our goal is to distribute 300 street trees to the Tacoma Mall Neighborhood this planting season as part of the effort to reduce polluted stormwater runoff, ease the urban heat island effect, and help neighbors create a greener community. This work is also connected to our G.R.I.T. partnership that is studying the social and environmental benefits of city trees.   

Apply at the link below to participate! Most trees will be distributed November 2–5, with volunteer planting assistance available November 5. Applications for the Tacoma Mall Neighborhood now closed.

Volunteer with Us

Register below to help your neighbors plant trees!

We are currently looking for:

  • Volunteers of all ages to plant on residential and public properties (no experience required!)

  • Tree team captains to attend a short training and lead a small group of volunteers

What Types of Trees Do We Offer?

APPLICATIONS CLOSED. This is a list of previous trees we have offered that people were able to choose from and plant in their right-of-way.

For more details on planting in the right-of-way, visit www.cityoftacoma.org/urbanforestry

Small Trees

  • Japanese Stewartia

    Stewartia pseudocamellia

    A small tree known for its delicate, white blooms and attractive multi-colored patchwork bark and bronze to purple fall foliage. Slow growing, mature height up to 25 feet.

  • Hinoki Cypress

    Chamaecyparis obstusa

    Compact evergreen conifer with glossy, dark green, fan-like foliage. Slow-growing, reaches 15 feet in height.

Medium Trees

  • Goldenrain Tree

    Koelreuteria paniculata

    A deciduous tree that provides year round interest with fragrant, yellow blooms in the summer followed by lantern-like decorative seed capsules in the fall. Mature height 20-35 feet.

  • Southern Magnolia

    Magnolia grandiflora

    Large, glossy, evergreen leaves, often cinnamon brown "felt" on underside of the leaf. Large, creamy-white, fragrant flowers (8-10 inches across) that start to appear in late spring. Ranges in size from 30-50 feet at maturity.

Large Trees

  • Pacific Brilliance Pin Oak

    Quercus palustris "Pacific Brilliance"

    Broadleaf, deciduous tree, 40-50 feet tall at maturity. Glossy, dark green leaves that transition to shades of russet, bronze, and brilliant red in the fall.

  • Red Oak

    Quercus rubra

    Broadleaved deciduous trees that grow 50 feet and are famed for their spectacular fall colors in vibrant shades of red, burgundy, copper, and bronze. Like all oak species, the red oak produces acorns.

  • Black Pine

    Pinus nigra

    Well-adapted evergreen conifer with an average mature height of 50-80 feet. Bark is light gray to dark brown with dark green needles.

IMG_04947.jpeg
IMG_0804.jpeg
IMG_0662.jpeg+cropped.jpeg
IMG_0298.jpg
IMG_0467.jpg

Thank you to our partners!

Green Blocks is a program of the Tacoma Tree Foundation. Funds for this project were provided by the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program, administered through the State of Washington Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program, with support of the City of Tacoma. The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.