SafeTREE Routes to School
The City of Tacoma is partnering with Tacoma Tree Foundation on a grant-funded tree planting project focused on improving walking routes to school in select neighborhoods. By planting trees along suggested Safe Routes to School (SRTS) walking routes, the project aims to increase tree canopy near schools, improve neighborhood safety, and create healthier, cooler places for students and families to walk, bike, and roll to school and around their neighborhoods!
This project focuses on select school communities in Central and South Tacoma, where tree canopy is lower and heat impacts are higher. Since funding and scope is limited, trees will only be planted in the public right-of-way adjacent to residential properties, along suggested walking routes, and with property owner permission.
Do you live on one of our suggested SafeTREE walking routes? You might qualify for free trees!
Our goal is to distribute 150 hundred street trees within our project area!
Trees do more than provide shade. Research shows that streets with trees experience lower vehicle speeds and provide traffic calming. Along school walking routes, these effects can help create safer conditions for students, families, and neighbors.
Suggested walking routes are mapped solely for elementary schools through the City’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program, however, these routes are intentionally designed to support connectivity between elementary and nearby middle schools. This project names both elementary and middle schools as our focus as they are both expected to benefit most from tree planting and outreach along walking routes.
SafeTREE Routes to School planting program is within the Community Tree Program’s Green Blocks: South Tacoma project boundaries. This means residents throughout this larger program neighborhood qualify for trees even if they are not on the suggested walking routes to school.
Tree requests are open from July 10th to August 17th. Requests are limited to preferences for evergreen trees and deciduous trees. 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.
Northern Boundary is s 56th st – Eastern Boundary is S Adams st and S Tyler St. – Southern Boundary is s 74th – Western Boundary is Lakewood Dr blvd
How it Works: Tree Matching, Delivery, Planting, and Tree Care
The SafeTREE Routes to School team leads nearly every step of the 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:
-
Verify your address is within the project area.
Visit your site to assess planting conditions.
Mark your planting area in white paint and submit utility locate requests to identify underground utilities present.
Review locate results and mark planting locations with wooden stake(s).
Match suitable tree species to your site based on tree characteristics, available space, utilities, and your stated goals.
Email you with your tree offer by September 11.
Deliver confirmed trees to your home the week of September 28.
Plant trees with volunteer teams during our community event] in October, unless you prefer to plant on your own.
Provide weekly watering April-September for 2 years
-
Confirm your tree selections by September 21 (preferably by email).
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!
Paved or Compacted Planting Site?
Request Trees Anyway! You might be eligible for our Depaving Program!
Paved surfaces are some of the biggest sources of pollution in the Puget Sound. Concrete prevents rain from absorbing into the ground and instead, the water washes pollutants like oil, metals, and sediment directly into storm drains.
Pavement also worsens summer heat through the "urban heat island effect" which lowers air quality and increases heat-related deaths, particularly in marginalized communities. Replacing pavement with trees and plants can cool urban areas, filter stormwater runoff, and benefit both people and wildlife.
Frequently Asked Questions:
-
We provide a variety of trees that are suitable for diverse planting sites and harsh urban conditions. Both deciduous and evergreen trees are included, with traits like fall color, shade, and noise reduction. We do not guarantee any specific trees. If you have a strong preference on tree species and size, we invite you to utilize the Tree Coupon Program or the Pierce Conservation District Urban Tree Sale..
-
Yes, once we verify you are within project boundaries and have suitable planting space, we will submit utility locates. We will ensure tree selections and tree placements follow industry guidelines, such as planting only power line friendly trees at sites with overhead power and ensuring appropriate spacing between trees and other infrastructure like utilities. Your tree offer will factor in all these site-specific details.
-
Unfortunately, you won’t be eligible to receive trees through this program. However, you can take advantage of many other tree share programs. Check out the Trees for Greater Tacoma web page to find out which tree programs you qualify for. We always welcome tree enthusiasts to volunteer with us, become a tree steward, or attend our many tree education events!
-
Yes! This is the first project Tacoma Tree Foundation and the City have received funding to provide weekly watering for the first couple years after planting. We’ll provide you with everything you need to care for your tree including: tree care resources, watering supplies, and weekly watering April-September.
The Tacoma Tree Foundation is dedicated to educating, empowering, and supporting community members in neighborhood-based greening. With your help, these trees will have a lasting impact in the neighborhood.
Weekly Watering April-September!
That’s right! This project funds weekly watering services for the first 3 years after planting!
We know that watering trees all summer is expensive and labor intensive and we’re thrilled to be able to remove that barrier to providing this integral resource for a thriving tree.
We’ll install your tree watering bag in the early spring and visit your street trees every week!
SafeTREE Routes to School is a Three-Year Program.
-
We planted 88 trees with 42 volunteers in the right of way along Mann Elementary and Giaudrone Middle School suggested walking Safe Routes to School.
-
We hope to planting 200+ trees in the right of way along the suggested walking routes at Boze Elementary School and Blix Elementary School. Stay tuned for more information!
Tree Walk Celebrations
After each tree planting event, join us and your neighbors in a tree walk celebration. Stroll along the suggested walking routes and learn about the new trees that were planted in your neighborhood. Ask questions, build community and enjoy the positive impacts these new trees have on our streets!
All ages are welcome. Stay tuned for more information.
Learn more about City of Tacoma initiatives.
Volunteers make Tree Planting possible!
October 2026 - Stay Tuned for these Event Details
Registered volunteers will break into small planting teams led by a TTF trained Tree Captain. As a group you'll travel to 2-5 planting sites, meet the residents and plant their tree for them.
Please invite your friends or co-workers! We have a blast!
Under-Age Volunteers: If you'd like to bring a minor, please list their names and ages in the volunteer request box. Each minor that accompanies you will be your responsibility. Upon arrival you'll sign a consent form for each minor. All adults (18+) need to register individually.
-
Parking is limited, we encourage folks to carpool. Please bring your own water bottle and gloves if you prefer them. Dress for all weather, dirt/mud and sturdy shoes. All planting tools and equipment, coffee, snacks, water and gloves will be provided.
This is an offsite planting event, which means you'll be driving from planting site to planting site, either in a caravan of cars or carpooling.
-
9:00am - Volunteer Arrival and Volunteer Check-In (Coffee and light snacks)
9:15am - Welcome - Volunteer Orientation
9:30am - Planting Demo
9:45 - Planting Team Breakouts
10:00am- 2:30pm - Tree Planting
The Importance of Partnership
Funding for this project 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.
