Pierce County Community Tree Program
The Pierce County Community Tree Program is bringing free trees to Parkland, Spanaway, Midland, and South Hill from 2026-2027.
This program is working to distribute trees, foster community connection, and provide educational opportunities to support the tree canopy in urban unincorporated Pierce County. Our focus is where the need for trees is the greatest. Planting trees in these communities will help cool our neighborhoods, improve our health, increase home values, and enhance quality of life!
Ways to get Involved
Pierce County Tree Share - October 24th, 2026 | Parkland/Spanaway Library
A free, walk-up event for residents of Parkland, Spanaway, Midland, and South Hill to receive free trees
Green Blocks - Coming in Spring 2027
A full service tree planting program where residents can receive assistance with tree selection, delivery, and planting
Tree Stewards
A community training focused on how to care for trees and connect with neighbors around the urban forest
Pierce County Tree Share
This fall, residents in Parkland, Spanaway, Midland, and South Hill can receive free trees and resources at a tree share. This is a free, walk-up event where residents can choose from a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees in small containers. Assistance with species selection, planting guidelines, and general tree care will be provided.
Join us and take home a tree!
Urban Heat in Pierce County
In summer of 2024, Pierce County conducted a community heat-mapping project to collect data on urban heat and create a map to explore which areas of the County are hottest. Concrete, streets, and buildings trap heat, which becomes a problem during the hot summer months. Areas that trap heat are known as urban heat islands, and the phenomenon is called the urban heat island effect.
Some spots in Spanaway and South Hill recorded afternoon temperatures that were almost 10°F warmer than surrounding areas near water. Trees can be our greatest ally during heat waves by creating shade and water vapor that cools the air, streets, and buildings around them. They can lower the surrounding temperature up to 15°F and prevent heat related illness. Explore the project and heat map at Pierce County Heat Watch.
Why Trees Matter
A healthy tree canopy can provide important benefits to communities, such as:
Reducing temperatures through shading and evapotranspiration, helping to reduce the urban heat island effect
Improving air quality by reducing the amount of harmful pollutants
Reducing impacts from stormwater by absorbing and filtering runoff
Increasing equity, as benefits from urban greening can be most impactful for overburdened communities
GREEN BLOCKS: SPANAWAY
Starting in February 2027, residents in the designated Green Blocks: Spanaway project area can sign up to receive free trees, along with other supporting services. Our goal is to empower residents by reducing barriers, providing tree care education, and assisting in tree selection, delivery, planting, and maintenance.
The Green Blocks: Spanaway project area is located where planting trees is of high priority. Planting trees in areas that need them the most supports the growth of an equitable tree canopy. If you’d like to read more about tree equity scores, visit https://www.treeequityscore.org/
Year 1 Project Area - Spanaway
Requests are limited to deciduous and evergreen trees that are well suited to urban environments. Staff will select species based on individual property needs. We invite you to share your goal for tree planting (sound reduction, shade, beauty, improved air quality, etc.) to help guide us in selecting the right tree for you and your property. If you participate in Green Blocks, we encourage you to consider planting two or more trees on your property. Review “How it Works” below for more details!
Tree matching, delivery, panting, and tree care
How it Works
The Community Tree Program team leads nearly every step of the Green Blocks process, making it easy for you to get trees planted in your neighborhood. After you submit your tree request, here’s what we do and what we ask of participants:
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Verify your address is within the project area.
Assess your site virtually to determine planting conditions.
Match suitable tree species to your site based on tree characteristics, available space, and your stated goals.
Email you with your tree offer by March 19th.
Deliver confirmed trees to your home the week of April 5th.
Plant trees with volunteer teams during our community event on April 10th, unless you prefer to plant on your own.
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Confirm your tree selections by March 31st.
Commit to watering your new trees weekly for the first three years (April–September) to ensure they thrive.
Provide ongoing tree care throughout the tree’s lifetime. We will continue to offer educational workshops and webinars to help you along the way!
Optional: Join us on planting day and help get trees in the ground!
Funding for this program provided by Pierce County
