How this Tree Giveaway Works

• Fill out this form and tell us what trees you would like. Families and individuals may choose up to 2 trees per household from our catalog. Community organizations may select up to 20 trees.
• You will also select a 15-minute time slot to pick up your trees.
• After completing the form, you will immediately receive an email with your confirmation and entry ticket. Bring this ticket the day of the event to pick up your trees.
• You may pick up your tree(s) at your selected appointment time on October 25th at Bannerwood Park. You may also designate someone else to pick up your trees. See our website FAQs for details at bellevuewa.gov/treegiveaway.
• We will scan your ticket and load the trees for you. No need to get out of your vehicle!

This application will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. It will be open until August 26th, or until we reach our limit of 700 trees. Some species are available in limited quantities and may sell out before then.

Privacy Assurance

The information you provide on this form is gathered solely for the purposes of this tree giveaway. The City of Bellevue and its affiliates will not share, except as required by law, or sell any of your personal information or any data associated with you.

This information is also on our website (bellevuewa.gov/treegiveaway) so you can refer to it later. We will also send you a link by e-mail after you complete this application form.

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 and water pollution.
• Trees provide food and habitat for wildlife.
• Trees filter and limit stormwater runoff, improving water quality and reducing flooding.
• Trees produce oxygen while reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
• Trees provide natural beauty and promote a sense of calm.

Planting trees is a fun, easy, and low-cost way to help the environment and enhance the beauty of our community.

The following sections will help you select the right trees, and the right place to plant them. Later we will provide resources to help you plant and care for your trees.

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. This illustration will help you find the right spot.

Before You Dig…

Make sure you are not planting the trees around buried power cables, communication lines, or gas pipes. You can either call 811, or go to Dig Safe Washington and follow the "Internet Ticketing Lite" section.

When to Plant

Trees adapt best when planted during dormant seasons (late Fall through early Spring). This gives the trees time to build a healthy root system in their new location. If planting in the spring, they should be planted as early as possible so they have some time to adapt before hot, dry weather causes stress. Trees planted in the spring may need extra water to survive through summer, especially if it's a hot, dry summer.

Which Tree Should I Choose?

The key to a healthy tree starts with selecting the right tree for the site conditions. For each of the trees in our free tree program, we describe its preferred light and soil conditions. You also want to make sure that as the tree grows its canopy and roots won't cause trouble to buildings, infrastructure, or below-ground utilities.

Aesthetics & Function

Do you want a tree to perform a specific function?

• Evergreen trees provide privacy, wind break, and shading all year round.
• Deciduous trees can provide shade in the summer and let through the winter sun when they lose their leaves.
• Evergreen trees are green and full all year round.
• Deciduous trees can provide interesting fall colors, or seasonal flowers.

Size and Form

• Choose a size and shape that makes sense for the location.
• Make sure the tree's mature height and canopy spread will not interfere with the surrounding buildings, power lines, fences, etc., as shown in the diagram above.
• The roots will grow at least as wide as the canopy, and remain close to the surface, so avoid planting close to pavement and building foundations.

Light

	Full sun means 6 or more hours of direct sun. Usually this describes a south or southwesterly site with little to no shade at any time of the day from either trees or a structure.
	Part sun means four to six hours of direct sun per day, not necessarily consecutive hours. It will generally do better with more afternoon sun, especially if its a flowering tree.
	Part shade also means four to six hours of direct sun per day but most of that sunlight should come in the morning hours, when the sun’s intensity is lower.
	Full shade means less than four hours of direct sun per day. It can also mean dappled light below a larger tree.

Soil & Moisture

Your tree will do best if the soil type and moisture level is compatible with what it likes. Some trees like dry well-drained soil and some prefer moist water-retaining soil. Some trees are flexible and can tolerate a wide range. Our tree catalog provides this information on each tree.

How to Plant and Care for the Tree

When you complete this application, you will receive an E-mail with instructions and a video to show you how to plant and care for your trees.

Want More Information?

For more information on tree selection, planting, and care, as well as information about this tree giveaway and FAQs, please go to this page: bellevuewa.gov/treegiveaway

Select your trees using the information you just learned, keeping in mind the conditions of your desired site.

Click the Tree Catalog link below. Take your time browsing the catalog, then return here to make your tree selections.

Tree Catalog

• Individuals and families may select up to 2 trees per household.
• Community organizations and multifamily properties may request up to 20 trees.

You will need to pick up your trees during the giveaway event. If you are unable to make the event, a limited number of pickup windows may be available during the week of October 20. Contact trees@bellevuewa.gov for more information.

Select optional free tree care accessories

Pick-up Time

Please select from the available pick-up time slots below. If a time slot is grayed out, that means it is full. The pick-up hours are:

• Saturday October 24th from 9 AM to 3 PM

If you are unavailable to pick up your trees during those times, you can ask a friend or family member to pick them up for you. See our website FAQs for details, at bellevuewa.gov/treegiveaway

If you have any additional comments related to this application, please use the space below.

The information above is gathered solely for the purposes of this tree giveaway. The City of Bellevue and its affiliates will not share, except as required by law, or sell any of your personal information or any data associated with you.

Please watch our tree planting instructional video. There will also be a link in your ticket e-mail.

The City of Bellevue (including its officials, officers, volunteers, affiliates, and agents) shall not be responsible for any damage, loss, or injury, to persons or property that may arise through my participation in this Tree Giveaway program, including the subsequent planting of the free trees I receive.

• You agree to plant your trees at the address provided.
• You agree to pick up the trees and plant them within 2 weeks. If you don't pick up the trees, they will be given away to someone else.
• You agree to plant the tree in a location that is suitable for the trees and the property as shown in "Where to plant a tree".
• You agree to watch an instructional video showing how to plant a tree, and to plant your trees as instructed.
• For the first 2 years, you agree to water the tree at least once per week during dry months. If the summer is very hot and dry, additional watering may be needed.
• You grant Bellevue permission to send you a "tree health checkup" email message once per year asking if your tree is still alive. It will require only a yes or no reply. This check-up will help us monitor our impact and plan future Bellevue programs and offerings.
• You grant Bellevue the right to use and reproduce any photos you provide of your trees being planted. (You are not required to provide photos. If you do, you still retain ownership of the photos and rights to use them as you please).