Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) Urban Forestry division is giving away 4,000 trees this fall for Portlanders to plant on their private property. That is an increase from the 3,000 trees distributed by the program last year. Expanded capacity is thanks to funding from the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF).
Portlanders can go to Portland.gov/free-yard-trees right now to register and see types of trees available this year. Frequently asked questions and their corresponding answers are posted on the PP&R website. You are encouraged to register soon as spots are filling up quickly!
When registering, people can choose up to three free trees per address, along with which giveaway event they will attend to receive their trees. They will also receive free mulch and an instruction booklet for how to properly plant and care for their trees.
Throughout its nine-year history, the PP&R Urban Forestry Yard Tree Giveaway program has distributed nearly 12,000 trees!
2025 Tree Giveaway Event Dates and Locations – all events run 8:30am to 1pm
Pre-Registration is required and space is filling up fast!
- Saturday, September 27 – Near Mt. Tabor Community Garden (Mt. Tabor)
- Saturday, October 4 – Farragut Park (Piedmont)
- Saturday, October 11 – Gilbert Heights Elementary (Powelhurst-Gilbert)
- Saturday, October 18 – Sacajawea Head Start (Cully)
- Saturday, October 25 – OMSI (Hosford-Abernethy)
- Saturday, November 1 – Near Mt. Tabor Community Garden (Mt. Tabor)
While anyone living in Portland is eligible, Urban Forestry staff are specifically working to get more trees planted in the hottest areas of our city. Nearly all of the city’s heat islands are located east of the Willamette River. The Yard Tree Giveaway program focuses events in and near neighborhoods with the highest temperatures and fewest trees.
Free delivery is also available for several neighborhoods, including Russell, Wilkes, East Columbia, Hayden Island, St. Johns, Portsmouth, King, Eliot, Boise, Hollywood, and Mt. Scott-Arleta.
Urban Forestry staff can plant trees for anyone who needs assistance.
Guidelines for receiving a tree:
- Advance registration is required
- Trees are for planting on private property
- Trees must not be planted in containers or as street trees
- Trees must be planted within the City of Portland in private yards, property around apartment buildings, or neighborhood common spaces (with property owner approval)
- Businesses, places of worship and schools are all eligible
- Limit three trees per address
Register online or call (503) 823-4963.
Source: Portland Parks and Recreation