Tree Selection, Planting, and Care
Pick the right tree, and help it thrive!
Why Plant a Tree?
Trees have many health, environmental, financial, and aesthetic benefits. For example:
- Trees provide shade on hot days, lowering temperatures and cooling bills.
- Trees filter out air pollution.
- Trees provide food and habitat for wildlife.
- Trees filter and limit stormwater runoff, improving water quality.
- Trees produce oxygen while reducing greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere.
- Trees provide natural beauty and promote a sense of calm.
Where to Plant a Tree?
It is important to plant your tree in a location where it will have room to grow without causing problems for buildings or infrastructure. Before you dig, think about:
- Overhead wires. Choose a small or medium tree if there are power lines above.
- Underground utilities. Call 811 before digging to have lines marked — see Dig Safe Washington.
- Mature size. A tree that fits today may not fit in twenty years. Check the mature height and spread.
- Distance from buildings. Give roots and branches room to spread.
- Sun and soil. Match the species to the conditions your site actually has.
How to Plant your Tree
Planting the tree correctly is important to insure its survival. The size of the hole, depth of planting, and mulching are all critical to the tree’s ability to establish itself in its new home.
This one-minute video from the Arbor Day Foundation will give you all the information you need to plant your tree correctly.
If you would like more information after watching the video, see these planting instructions from the Arbor Day Foundation.
How to Care for your Tree
Young trees will need water for the first summer or two. Give them a good drink every week or two when the weather is hot and dry in July and August.
After two years, the trees should have a strong enough root system to survive warm weather without extra water.
For complete information about tree care, see this comprehensive document from the Arbor Day Foundation: How to Select, Plant, and Care for a Tree.
If you received trees from us, see the Tree Giveaway Information page for details specific to the species we distributed.
Ready for a tree?
Our free tree giveaways supply trees to King County residents, schools, and organizations.
