Over 500 Free Trees Provided for Inner Bellingham Neighborhoods

Thank you to the community members of Bellingham willing to plant trees and create canopy for their city!

More than 500 native trees were distributed to over 230 Bellingham households, thanks to the Whatcom Million Trees Project (WMTP) and Whatcom Conservation District (Whatcom CD) with funding from the City of Bellingham’s Community Tree Program. Trees were distributed over three weekends in March for residents to plant on private property. Each tree planted supports Bellingham’s climate and urban forestry plans, and our larger community.

Seven different tree species were offered to residents of Bellingham.

The trees were distributed in the five neighborhoods that have the lowest tree canopy in Bellingham: Columbia, Lettered Streets, Roosevelt, Sunnyland and York. A denser tree canopy provides a variety of benefits, including cleaner and cooler air, stormwater retention, cleaner water, and increased habitat for wildlife.

“These neighborhoods all historically had higher canopy coverage, which has waned over the years,” said Adam Brayton, Education & Outreach Technician at Whatcom Conservation District. “It’s great to see such an outpouring of support from individuals in the community to make a return to that canopy density by planting trees on their properties.”

Free buckets and mulch were provided to help with water retention and weed prevention.

Seven different native tree species were offered to residents. Species were selected for their ability to thrive in the typical conditions found in the five chosen neighborhoods. Mulch and watering buckets accompanied each tree to help nurture the young saplings. Many tree recipients expressed gratitude for the chance to simply come by and pick up their materials. “Thanks for making this all so easy,” one participant remarked during pickup, “all we have to do now is plant them!”

The tree giveaway effort was made possible by volunteers, who provided time and effort to prepare for each giveaway event. They staged trees and mulch, then loaded them into vehicles during pickup, and a few select volunteers delivered mulch and trees and provided planting assistance to ensure equitability. “We are deeply grateful to all of dedicated volunteers who braved the weather and volunteered their weekends to make the tree giveaways a success,” says Susan Hutton, executive director of the Whatcom Million Trees Project. “We’re also grateful to all the Bellingham residents who committed to monitoring, protecting, and caring for these trees.”

Trees waiting for their new Bellingham home. These saplings will grow into large trees that can help provide shade, cleaner and cooler air, stormwater retention, cleaner water, and increased habitat for wildlife.