Portland Parks & Recreation’s Free Tree Season Starts Now

Published

July 7, 2026 9:49 am

In this article

(Portland, Oregon) -
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is excited to launch its Free Trees for Portlanders season.

This year, PP&R's Urban Forestry (UF) division and key partners will distribute and plant 8,500 trees, helping to grow a greener, healthier city. UF staff are continuing to ramp up the number of free tree plantings and free tree giveaways as part of our goal to plant 10,000 trees a year by 2028. These efforts are possible with funding from the voter-approved Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF).

While all Portland residents are eligible to receive a free tree, Urban Forestry staff will prioritize neighborhoods with the lowest tree canopy for extra planting support.

Whether you are a Portland renter, homeowner, business owner, or educator, we have free trees for you. Use our quick and easyonline form to register.

While all Portland residents are eligible to receive a free tree, Urban Forestry staff will prioritize neighborhoods with the lowest tree canopy for extra planting support.

"Everyone deserves the clean air, shade, and beauty trees bring," said City Forester Jenn Cairo, "but when we look at some neighborhoods east of the Willamette River, we see they have fewer trees and hotter summers. Our goal is to ensure all Portland neighborhoods are a great place to live and this is a big part of that effort."

If you live in one of the following neighborhoods and meet the qualifications, Urban Forestry staff can plant and care for your trees for the next three years free of charge:

• Argay
• Centennial
• Cully
• East Columbia
• Glenfair
• Hayden Island
• Hazelwood
• Lents
• Mill Park
• Montavilla
• Parkrose
• Parkrose Heights
• Powellhurst-Gilbert
• Russell
• Sumner
• Sunderland
• Wilkes

In addition to receiving a free tree with planting support, qualifying Portlanders will receive a custom visit from an arborist to help pick the perfect planting spot. Trees will be planted between November 2026 and March 2027 and can be used to fulfill replanting permit requirements. They can be planted in rights-of-way with no curb or sidewalk, planting strips, or front yards.

Visit our website to register for your free trees today!

"Everyone deserves the clean air, shade, and beauty trees bring," said City Forester Jenn Cairo, "but when we look at some neighborhoods east of the Willamette River, we see they have fewer trees and hotter summers. Our goal is to ensure all Portland neighborhoods are a great place to live and this is a big part of that effort."

Neighborhood tree planting events will continue throughout the year, including through a partnership with Friends of Trees and the citywide Yard Tree Giveaway program in the fall. You can find more information about our free tree options on our Free Trees page.

About PP&R's Urban Forestry Division

PP&R Urban Forestry staff care for our vibrant and diverse urban forest; comprised of ~1.2 million trees in parks and natural areas, 333,000 street trees, and 2.9 million trees on private property.

Valued at $9.5 billion, Portland's trees are critical city infrastructure. Urban Forestry protects and grows this shared asset through tree planting and care, education, volunteer stewardship, and community partnerships-with research, data, and community feedback guiding our programs and services. Our work is informed by thePortland Urban Forest Plan, which provides a roadmap for protecting, expanding, and caring for Portland's trees. We are proud of our long history protecting this vital asset, reflected in the City's nearly 50-year recognition as a Tree City USA, our designation as a Tree City of the World, and ouraccreditation for urban forestry excellence by the Urban and Community Forestry Society.

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