Everett residents in several neighborhoods with thin tree cover can apply now for a free tree planted at their home or business, part of a federally funded program that has already put 2,559 trees in the ground across Everett, Marysville, and Tulalip.
The Urban & Community Forest Program, a partnership between Everett Parks & Facilities and the Snohomish Conservation District, launched in 2024 with a U.S. Forest Service grant backed by the Inflation Reduction Act.
The Everett-specific goal: more than 3,700 new trees by the end of 2028, when the grant funding expires.
Two free community tree care events are coming up. Volunteers can help tend young trees already planted in public spaces:
- Wednesday, Aug. 12 | 5–7 p.m. | Riverside Business Park Trail
- Wednesday, Aug. 19 | 5–7 p.m. | Walter E. Hall Park
Gloves and tools will be provided at both events, according to the city's program page.
Who qualifies for a free tree
The program targets neighborhoods the city has identified as low-canopy areas. Eligible zones include parts of the Delta neighborhood in northeast Everett, sections of Port Gardner and Riverside near Everett Station, and stretches of south Everett around Highway 99 and West Casino Road. An interactive map on the Snohomish Conservation District's website lets residents check whether their address falls within the boundaries.
Renters qualify too.
Long-term tenants with limited outdoor space can request apple trees small enough to fit on a balcony. The program also offers plums, figs, pawpaws, pears, and cherries, along with shade trees ranging from about 20 to 50 feet at maturity.
Participants can even request a Giant Sequoia.
Residents don't have to plant the tree themselves. District staff provide guidance on selecting the right species and planting location, as well as ongoing care.
Why these neighborhoods
Research cited in connection with the program found that lower-income census tracts average 15% less tree cover than higher-income ones and run about 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit hotter.
The program aims to close that gap by increasing canopy in areas where residents have the least shade.
Beyond private yards, the program has planted trees along the Interurban Trail and in a new public orchard at Henry M. Jackson Park, where residents may eventually be able to pick fruit.
How to apply
Applications are open online at everettwa.gov/3271. The city's Parks & Recreation office can be reached at 425-257-8300 or [email protected], Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
