Tree Giveaway Information

Details, Reference, and FAQs

General Information

  • Pick-up Location: Central Park
    123 Main St, Anytown (map)
  • Pick-up Dates and Times:
    • Fri November 28: 2 PM to 5 PM
    • Sat November 29: 9 AM to 12 PM
  • Trees available: 1000
    • 3 trees per household. 20 trees for community organizations.
  • Sign-Up period: July 1 thru July 31, 2025
  • Sign-Up Form
  • Tree Catalog: Descriptions and pictures of all the trees offered in the giveaway
  • Tree Selection, Planting, and Care Guide
  • FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions: See below

How the Giveaway Works

  • Fill out our Sign-Up Form, telling us what trees you would like and which day and time you would like to pick them up. You may choose up to 3 trees from our catalog (community organizations may select up to 20 trees).
  • You will receive your ticket immediately by email. The ticket will include your appointment time, pickup instructions and a scannable check-in code.
  • On pick-up day, you arrive at Central Park (map) at your selected time. We will scan your ticket and load the trees in your car. No need to get out of your car!

Pick-Up Details

Bring With You:

  • A vehicle. Most passenger cars are large enough to hold up to 2 trees. A bicycle with a sturdy trailer can work too 😀.
  • Something to protect your car interior from accidental dirt and moisture.
  • Your phone with your ticket email, ready to show the attendant. If you can’t bring a phone, bring a printout of your ticket.

Pickup Procedure:

  • Plan to arrive within the 15 minute window of your appointment time.
  • Drive into entry to Central Park near Main and 123rd St.
  • Follow the signs to the pickup entrance and show your ticket QR Code to the attendant.
  • You will be directed to drive to a loading station.
  • Our volunteers will scan your ticket and load your trees and accessories into your vehicle (more details below).
  • Optional:
    • Stop at the Planting Advice table if you have any questions.
    • Donate a dollar or two to “Plant It Forward” at the exit.

Tree Sizes and Loading Details

We will load your trees for you! There is no need to get out of your car. The trees are in 3-gallon pots. Most are about 2 to 6 feet tall, which is small enough to fit in most passenger vehicles. If you have a small car, you might want to bring a tarp or blanket to protect your car interior in case the tree needs to be laid on its side. We can also gently bend the tree if it is taller than your car interior. If you ordered accessory items like mulch and watering bags, we will load them into your car.

F.A.Q.

Click the arrow next to each question to show the answer.

Tree Selection

The mix of tree species we selected include a range of sizes, soil type and light needs, and visual appearances. They also represent mostly native or “near native” species, with a strong focus on climate resilience, habitat restoration and adding to our urban tree canopy in King County. We also happen to think they’re all beautiful additions to your yard!

We use this language to describe trees whose growing ranges are shifting due to the effects of climate change. Generally, these are trees which natively grow in climate zones to the south/southeast of our region. These trees provide great opportunities for climate resilience as our regional climate changes over the coming decades.

Tree Planting and Care

Yes, as long as the mature height is no greater than 25 feet tall. If you plant a taller tree species under a powerline, it will unfortunately have to be removed once it grows too tall.

Trees should be planted 10 feet away from either underground utilities or a building. Always call 811 before digging to locate your underground utilities for free!

In general, the sooner you can plant your tree, the better. We recommend waiting no more than two weeks before planting. If it is not raining, water the potted trees often, don’t let them dry out. If you are planting your tree in the Spring, we recommend you water it weekly through the Spring and Summer until the rainy season since your tree will have a limited dormant period to get established.

You should dig it as deep as the root ball, and 2-3 times as wide. Keep the lowest part of the tree trunk (or flare) above ground and not covered by dirt or mulch. This is vital the long-term health of the tree. Do mulch around the tree, starting an inch or so away from the tree trunk.

In general, you should try to significantly break up the root ball before planting the tree, while preserving as many roots as possible. Extra care is needed with both Magnolia species we are giving away, as they have especially delicate roots.

Deciduous trees lose their leaves/needles every year, while evergreen coniferous keep most or all of their leaves/needles all year long. Evergreen broadleaf trees keep their leaves year round.

Yes, please refer to the descriptions in our tree catalog to determine which trees produce edible fruits.

Tree Pick Up

Yes! We will send you an entry ticket after you sign up for a time slot, and if necessary, you may forward the ticket to the person picking up your tree. They must present your ticket in order to pick up your tree. If the pick-up person is also getting a tree, they may pick up your tree as well as their tree at the same time, even if you signed up for different pick-up appointment times.

Yes, as long as you arrive before the event ends. As we have no way to store your trees, we give away ALL leftover trees to participants wanting more trees at the end of the event. Be sure to arrive before 12:30 PM on Saturday, March 15 if you want to secure your assigned tree.

Unfortunately, we are unable to store trees for pickup after the event. If you cannot pick up your tree, we suggest arranging for someone else to pick it up for you.

We have extremely limited capacity to deliver trees. If you have significant physical limitations and are not able to arrange for someone else to pick it up for you. Please order the trees you want AND also reach out to us by email at info@300trees.org to discuss delivery.

We have extremely limited capacity to plant trees. If you have significant physical limitations and are not able to arrange for someone else to plant them for you. Please order the trees you want AND also reach out to us by email at info@anytown.gov to discuss planting.

As part of our order form for the Tree Giveaway program, we expect a strong commitment to follow through with tree pickup and planting. However, we also understand that life circumstances change. If you are no longer able to plant a tree, please reach out to us at any point, and we will give your tree to someone else. All unclaimed trees will be given away at the end of this year’s event from 12:30-2 PM on the last day.

At the end of the event, we will allow participants to select from the remaining trees. All unclaimed trees will be given away at the end of this year’s event from 12:30-2 PM on the last day. Please stop by if you want more trees.

In general, the trees we give away should fit in all standard cars. They come mostly in 2-3 gallon pots, occasionally 5 gallon, and will stand between 2-6 feet tall. In past years, people have picked up trees in sports coupes, convertibles, and bicycle trailers!

Other Tree Giveaways

Yes! We will hold a tree giveaway every November. Some other cities hold tree giveaways different times of the year. Sign up here for our newsletter to be notified of tree giveaway events.

All King County residents, schools, organizations, faith communities, and small businesses!

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