The Residential Tree Program — also known as “Wow! Free trees!” — proved to be incredibly popular here in Emerson-Garfield this past spring, so we wanted to let everyone know that there’s going to be an autumn distribution too. Registrations to claim free trees opened last week and run until the first week of October.

They’ve done such a good job of explaining the details of the Residential Tree Program over on the City’s website that we’ve re-posted their announcement below (with some changes specific to Emerson-Garfield).

What is the Residential Tree Program?

The Residential Tree Program aims to give away 2,000 free trees to Spokane City residents in 2015. The first 1,000 trees were distributed last April and the last 1,000 trees will be distributed this October.

The Residential Tree Program is operated under the Forest Spokane Initiative. The Forest Spokane Initiative will plant 10,000 new trees within the City of Spokane by spring 2016 as a means of mitigating stormwater runoff from reaching the Spokane River. To learn more about the Initiative and other programs, please visit the Forest Spokane Initiative webpage

Trees provided through the Residential Tree Program are to be planted on private property only. Residents who live within the Spokane municipal boundary and are the property owner where the tree is planted may register for one tree for their property, property owners who own multiple properties are not eligible to register for more than one tree.

By registering for a tree in advance you are able to reserve the tree species of your choice prior to the October giveaway event. Registration to reserve a free tree will close on Wednesday, October 7, and a voucher will be mailed out to the address you’ve provided on Friday, October 9. You must bring your voucher to the participating nursery to pick up your tree. It is your responsibility to pick up your free tree from the nursery and plant and care for the new tree.

Any remaining and un-registered trees will be available on a first come, first served basis on the day of the event. The same rules apply for the remaining trees: you must be a property owner, one tree per property owner, and you must be a resident who lives within the Spokane municipal boundaries. Please check back on the City’s website for updated information about tree availability.

What tree species are available through this program?

Before getting registered for your free tree, you must know what tree species you are requesting and be able to provide this information at the time of registration. To review the tree species available through this program, please read the Residential Tree Program – Tree Species List. This list will be updated at the beginning of each week as tree species become unavailable. If you do not provide the name of the tree species you are registering for you will not be eligible to reserve a free tree prior to the event.

How do I register to get a free tree from the Residential Tree Program?

• Register online! By registering for a tree your contact information will be provided to your neighborhood council and the neighborhood Friday Update for future notifications. You will have the option to unsubscribe from the mailings after you’ve received the first e-mail.
• Go to the Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Council meeting on Wednesday, September 9. It’s at the Corbin Senior Center (827 W Cleveland) and starts at 6pm.

Where do I pick up my free tree?

• Home Fires Nursery – 2919 S Geiger Blvd, Spokane, WA 99224
• Spokane County Conservation District – 210 N Havana St, Spokane, WA 99202

When you receive your voucher in the mail, after October 9, it will indicate the nursery name and address where your tree is being held. Please visit the nursery indicated on the voucher as the two nurseries will be providing different tree species. Bring your voucher with you to receive your free tree.

Please do not call the nurseries to register for a tree or the vouchers. The nurseries are NOT distributing any vouchers or reserving trees for the public for this program. To register for the vouchers, register online through the link above or attend the Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Council meeting on September 9.

When do I pick up my free tree?

• Home Fires Nursery: Pick up your tree from Home Fires Nursery any time between October 17 and 24 ONLY.
• Spokane County Conservation District: Pick up your trees October 24 ONLY. They are not distributing any trees before or after this date.

Questions? Comments? Stop by the info booth at the Emerson-Garfield Farmers’ Market on any Friday or make a point of attending the September neighborhood council meeting.