2024 Small & Simple Grant:

Free Trees for

Sunnyland

THANKS FOR THE GREAT RESPONSE, SUNNYLAND! We’re beginning to contact tree recipients now.

Sunnyland needs trees!

Did you know Sunnyland has the lowest tree canopy of any Bellingham neighborhood with the exception of the downtown commercial district?

Thanks to a Small & Simple Grant from the City of Bellingham, SNA will purchase trees for about 35 neighbors this fall. Trees will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis; thank you to everyone who applied.

 

1. Start here:

Would you like to apply for a free tree? Please read this fine print:

  • Recipients of the free trees must live within the Sunnyland neighborhood boundaries, according to this map.

  • If you aren’t the property owner of the ground where you’d like to plant the tree, we need written permission from the owner in order to approve your application.

  • Trees purchased as a part of this project are intended to be planted on private property, not in the city’s right-of-way or in parks.

  • We’ll do the buying, and you’ll do the planting. We may be able to arrange a work party this fall around the time the trees are picked up, but we can’t guarantee that. If you get a free tree, you’re committing to getting it into the ground.

  • You’ll have a list of species to choose from, and you may not get your first choice.

  • Trees will be ready for pickup sometime in October; exact date TBD.

2. Do your research…

Tree Planting Guidelines

Review the resources and information compiled by the City of Bellingham to help you choose a tree species and planting location, and help you plant safely and properly. After you’ve done your research…

3. Apply below!

Applications have closed due to an overwhelming response! We hope to offer tree planting programs in future years, so stay tuned!

Tree Options:

 

Japanese Snowbell

(Styrax japonicus)

Non-native deciduous

20-30 feet

Full sun to partial shade

Moist, well-drained soil

Eastern Redbud

(Cercis canadensis)

Non-native deciduous

20-30 feet

Full sun to partial shade

Well-drained soil

Flowering Dogwood

(Cornus kousa)

Non-native deciduous

20-40 feet

Full sun to partial shade

Moist, well-drained soil

Western Red Cedar

(Thuja plicata)

Native conifer

150-200 feet

Shade to full sun

Wet to moist soil

Note: Western Red Cedars given out as part of this program will be younger trees in 1-gallon pots, but they grow quickly and will get VERY large. Only choose this option if you have a large yard.