Apply for a Tree with Denver Digs

Over the past 30 years, our Denver Digs Trees program has provided more than 48,000 affordable and free trees to Denver residents, helping to enhance quality of life in our city. Trees beautify our neighborhoods, enhance property values, lower utility costs, improve air and water quality, and much more!

Denver Digs Trees distribution day is Sat, April 16th... Mark your calendar!

Important Info:

Denver Digs Trees focuses on providing medium and large sized shade trees for planting within the City of Denver. We invite you to apply for one or more low-cost trees...For each tree that you request, you MUST identify whether is is a 'Street Tree' or a 'Yard Tree' based on the definations of Street and Yard Trees below. You may apply for Street Trees, Yard Trees, or both.What is a Street Tree? A Street Tree is planted along the street in the Public Right-of-Way.*It is planted either in the 'tree lawn' (the space between the sidewalk and the curb) or, in the absence of a tree lawn, at a distance 10 feet from the curb.What is a Yard Tree? A Yard Tree is planted on private property.*It may be planted in a front-, back-, or side- yard. At sites without a tree lawn, Yard Trees are planted 11 feet or more from the curb.* Volunteer Site Inspectors will visit each potential Street Tree site to confirm the proper spacing, mark where Street Tree(s) must be planted, and approve City planting permits. We will NOT conduct site visits for Yard Trees, so you will need to plan carefully on your own.Tree Fees:On average, one tree costs The Park People $125 to provide. Thanks to our sponsors, we are able to subsidize much of this expense. The per-tree fee is based on the neighborhood in which the tree will be planted. CLICK HERE TO DETERMINE YOUR OFFICIAL NEIGHBORHOOD.Standard Fee: $35 per treeTarget Neighborhood Fee: $10 per tree **Applicants facing financial hardship may request a 'Treeship' to receive trees for free.** Lower tree-canopy 'Target' neighborhoods qualify for trees at $10 each: Athmar Park, Baker, Barnum, Barnum West, Chaffee Park, Clayton, Cole, College View/South Platte, East Colfax, Elyria-Swansea, Five Points, Globeville, Green Valley Ranch, Jefferson Park, Lincoln Park, Mar Lee, Montbello, Northeast Park Hill, Overland, Ruby Hill, Skyland, Sun Valley, Valverde, Villa Park, West Colfax, Westwood, and Whittier. 3 Steps to Apply:

STEP 1: Measure Your Property & Have Utilities Marked

Carefully follow these important spacing requirements to determine the appropriate number and placement of tree(s).FOR BOTH STREET AND YARD TREES:-  Plant at least 5 feet away from buried utility lines (REQUIRED: Call 1-800-922-1987 to have your underground utilities marked - a FREE service).-  Plant at least 10 feet away from existing dead, dying, or over-mature trees that will be removed within three years.-  Plant medium or large shade tree(s) at least 35 feet away from other large trees (trees 30 feet or taller at maturity) and at least 25 feet away from small ornamental trees (trees 25 feet or shorter at maturity).-  If your or a neighbor's property has solar panels, contact our office.FOR STREET TREES:-  Plant at least 10 feet away from driveways, alleys, and fire hydrants.-  Plant at least 30 feet away from the curb at an intersection.-  Plant at least 20 feet away from streetlights and stop signs.FOR YARD TREES:-  Plant at least 20 feet away from overhead multi-strand power lines (this does NOTapply to single strand wires, such as street light and telephone wires).-  Plant at least 15 feet away from your home and other buildings.-  Plant Yard Trees on the east or west side of your home to maximize shade cover and energy savings (South side plantings are not recommended for saving home energy in most cases because winter shading blocks passive solar heating and may limit the potential for solar energy benefits).-  Assess other potential obstructions for the tree's mature height and spread.FOR SMALL ORNAMENTAL TREES:-  Small trees (25 feet or shorter at maturity) will ONLY BE APPROVED for planting for planting sites that DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE ROOM FOR MEDIUM/LARGE TREES.-  Small trees are reserved for planting sites under multi-strand overhead power lines, without space to plant at least 15 feet from buildings, or without space to plant at least 35 feet from other trees.- Plant small trees at least 30 feet from streetlights, stop signs, and intersections.- Plant small trees at least 25 feet from other trees.- Other applicable spacing requirements above must be strictly followed.STEP 2: Submit a Tree ApplicationDeadline: Monday, February 15, 2016 Availability is limited. The sooner we get your application and payment, the better chance you'll have of getting your first choice of tree(s).STEP 3: Pick Up Your Tree(s) on Distribution DayTree Distribution Day: Saturday, April 16, 2016In early April, you'll receive a letter to confirm which tree(s) you've been approved for and where to pick up your tree(s).Earth Day Yard Tree SaleIn addition to the Denver Digs Trees distribution, there will also be an Earth Day Yard Tree Sale on that same day with additional varieties (for private property planting ONLY), including fruit and flowering trees. Proceeds help support our efforts to add more trees to our community!Find answers to FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS, including information about applying for trees, the size and transport of trees, planting and care, and more.