City of Seattle

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods

Stella Chao, Director

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Judy Brown; 206.684.0714; judy.brown@seattle.gov
Lois Maag; 206.615.0950; lois.maag@seattle.gov

Free trees available for your neighborhood through

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
Tree Fund celebrates 15 years of planting 20,000 trees

July 8, 2010 (SEATTLE, WA)— Community members can get free trees for their neighborhood through the Tree
Fund, a program of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. It is an easy way for residents to beautify their
neighborhood and help the environment, while connecting with their neighbors.

Groups of neighbors from at least five households living on a street or block can request from 10 to 40 trees per
project. In addition, every participating household can have a fruit tree for their own yard. Information on how
to organize your neighborhood, the selections of trees, as well as the application form, can be found at
www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/treefund.htm . Deadline for applications is August 16.

This is the 15th year that Seattle Department of Neighborhoods is providing free trees through the Neighborhood
Matching Fund’s Tree Fund program. Through the Fund, Seattle residents have planted more than 20,000 trees
and built stronger community connections along the way.

In 1972, Seattle’s land area had a tree cover of 40 percent. Now, that cover has dropped to 22 percent. This
decline threatens nature’s ability to help manage storm water, reduce erosion, absorb climate-disrupting gases,
improve public health and clean the air. The goal of the Tree Fund program is to increase the percentage back
to 30 percent, build community, and promote a clean and green environment for Seattle’s streets.

For questions or additional information, contact Judy Brown, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, at
206.684.0714.

In addition, for residents who live in specific neighborhoods within southwest and southeast Seattle, Seattle
reLeaf is providing free trees through the City’s 2010 Trees for Neighborhoods program. To learn more, visit
www.seattle.gov/trees/treesforneighborhoods .

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods provides programs and service that engage residents in civic participation,
foster stronger communities, make government more accessible, and preserve and enhance the character of
Seattle’s neighborhoods.

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700 5th Avenue Tel (206) 684-0464
PO Box 94649 Fax (206) 233-5142
Seattle, WA 98124-4649 www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods