FAQ for Community Tree Adoption

If you are wanting to plant a tree in Barnum, Barnum West, Valverde, Villa Park, or West Colfax, you may apply for free or low-cost trees through our Fall Community Tree Adoption program. 

Tree applications are available from July 2, 2024, and the application window closes on August 5, 2024..  Tree distribution day is Saturday September 14, 2024.

Any resident of these neighborhoods, business owners, landlords, or community members with permission to plant trees on private property in Barnum, Barnum West, Valverde, Villa Park, or West Colfax may apply for trees.

 If you are not a community member in one of these west Denver neighborhoods, but are a Denver resident, please sign up to get notified for our 2025 Denver Digs Trees adoption program. 

Street trees are trees planted along the street in the "public right-of-way".  The public right-of-way is generally the "tree lawn" space between the sidewalk and the curb or, in the absence of a "tree lawn," the space within 10 feet of the curb.  While the public right-of-way is technically city property, a property owner is responsible for the maintenance of the right-of-way adjacent to their property, including the care and maintenance of street trees.  Because street trees are planted on public property, a permit is required prior to planting to ensure appropriate tree species are selected and planted in appropriate locations.

We are NOT offering Street Trees in Fall 2024. You can apply thorugh Denver Digs Trees 2025 if you would like a Street Tree.
 
Yard trees are planted on private property.  These tree can be planted in front, side, or back yards. In the absence of a "tree lawn,"  they are trees that will be planted in areas 11 feet or further from the curb.

Residents facing financial hardship may request a 'Treeship' to receive trees free of charge.

Click this link to find out the official neighborhood in which you live.

Barnum, Barnum West, Valverde, Villa Park, West Colfax

If you wish to apply for trees to plant at multiple addresses, please submit a separate application for each planting address.  On each application, be sure to enter both your mailing address (where we should send any mailed information about your application) and the appropriate planting address ("Planting Address") wher the tree will be planted.

We typically order trees with a trunk diameter of roughly 1.25 inches.  Diameter and height vary between species, with most trees arriving between 5 and 10 feet tall.  These trees offer the benefit of being easier to plant, establishing faster and having higher survival rates than larger trees.  Estimate 1 year of transplant recovery time for each inch in trunk diameter (e.g. 1 inch tree = 1 year to establish; 2 inch tree = 2 years to establish; 3 inch tree = 3 years to establish, etc).
 
This Fall we are ordering trees in containers (typically plastic pots with lighter weight growing medium) and B&Bs (balled and burlap, field dug)

A truck or SUV is convenient.  However, each year we creatively pack trees into smaller vehicles, including sedans.  So, a large vehicle is not necessary unless you are hauling multiple trees.  You may choose to bring a tarp or blanket to protect interior upholstery.  Remember to drive carefully and slowly (30 mph or slower).

 

If you cannot attend distribution day, you have two options.  

1) You may send a friend or family member to pick up the tree(s) on your behalf.  They will need to present your confirmation email, which you will receive by mid-August, so be sure to forward them the email, or print a copy for them to bring to the distribution site.  

2) You may contact our office if these options will not work for you, and ask for help with delivery. 

Note: If distribution day conflicts with a religious tradition that you observe and you will not be able to claim your tree, please contact our office.

Trees improve our quality of life.  They beautify our neighborhoods, improve property values, and support good health by encouraging us to spend time outdoors.  They also provide habitat for wildlife, slow rain run-off to reduce flooding, filter air pollution, and cool our communities with their shade, which conserves energy and saves us money.

*** We are NOT offering Street trees in Fall 2024*** Street trees are trees planted along the street in the "public right-of-way".  This is a public space, as opposed to private property where yard trees are planted.  The public right-of-way is generally the "tree lawn" space between the sidewalk and the curb or, in the absence of a "tree lawn," the space within 10 feet of the curb.  While the public right-of-way is technically city property, a property owner is responsible for the maintenance of the right-of-way adjacent to their property, including the care and maintenance of street trees.  Because street trees are planted on public property, a permit is required prior to planting.  As of 2023, the City of Denver will require rock mulch to be removed from Street Tree planting sites: creating at least a 5' diameter around the tree which is clear from rock or concrete. This ensures enough space for the roots to grow.  Rock mulch intesifies heat and drought conditions and can reduce a trees ability to survive.

A "Shade Tree" typically refers to a medium or large tree, often with a spreading canopy, which provides significant shade. A strategically planted shade tree can reduce the amount of energy needed to cool your home during the warm months, resulting in lower energy bills and less carbon released into the atmosphere.  In the fall, these deciduous trees drop their leaves, allowing winter sunlight to pass through and warm your home.
 
An "Ornamental Tree" typically refers to a tree of a small mature size, generally 25 feet tall or shorter.  Ornamental trees often have attractive features, such as showy flowers.

We work closely with the Denver Office of the City Forester to select species appropriate for Colorado's arid climate and our urban environment.  Most of our selections are relatively drought and cold hardy once established.  We also select species for their disease resistance.  We work to offer a variety of different species to build the diversity of the city forest - the best approach to combating disease and other threats to individual tree species.  As new tree varieties are developed and new pests and diseases emerge, Denver Forestry staff helps us make wise decisions for the future of our urban forest.

 

For our Community Tree Adoption, we also asked our Community Connectors in Valverde, Barnum, Banrum West,Villa Park  and West Colfax to narrow down the list of tree options to ones that have been most requested by neighborhood residents (for example, residents have asked for trees that need less watering, and for fruit tree options).

Yes, because neighborhood residents asked for them, we are offering a variety of fruit trees.. These must be planted on Private Property, not as Street Trees in the Public Right of Way

In order to plant a tree along the street in the "public right-of-way" (see definition below), you must obtain a planting permit from the city before planting your tree.  We are not offering Street Trees in Fall 2024. 

The "public right-of-way" is a public space that often includes public sidewalks and in which street trees can be planted (as opposed to private property, where yard trees are planted).  The public right-of-way is generally the tree lawn" space between the sidewalk and the curb or, in the absence of a "tree lawn," the space within 10 feet of the curb.  While the public right-of-way is technically city property, a property owner is responsible for the maintenance of the right-of-way adjacent to their property, including the care and maintenance of street trees.  Because street trees are planted on public property, a permit is required prior to planting.

Yes.  Any time you will dig soil to plant a tree (on private or public property), you MUST submit a utility locate request at www.colorado811.org or call 811 or 1-800-922-1987 in advance to have your underground utilities marked (a free service!).  Plant your tree at least 5 feet away from buried utilities.

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SPACING: Trees need room to grow. Your planting site(s) must meet the following spacing requirements:

Medium to Large Trees: shall be spaced thirty-five (35) feet apart and may be varied from 25-40’ apart if consistent with soil volume* provided and canopy width at maturity per the species descriptions and if such spacing allows for avoidance of other requirements such as streetlights or utilities.

Ornamental (Small) Trees: shall be spaced twenty (20) feet apart and may be varied from 15-25’ apart if consistent with soil volume* provided and canopy width at maturity per the species descriptions and if such spacing allows for avoidance of other requirements such as existing/proposed infrastructure, including streetlights and utilities.

*Soil Volume is the available root volume for the tree. This is calculated by the length, width, and depth of the tree planting area and can take into consideration factors such as the compaction of the soil. If your planting area is restricted, your tree will not grow to its full potential. 

- Plant at least 10 feet away from existing dead, failing or over-mature trees that will be removed within three years.
- Plant 10 feet away from driveways, alleys & fire hydrants.
- Plant 30 feet away from the corner at an intersection.
- Plant at least 20 feet away from streetlights and stop signs.
- Plant 5 feet away from buried utility lines (Call 811 or 1-800-922-1987 to have your underground utilities marked - a free service).

- Plant medium or large trees (30 feet or larger at maturity) at least 20 feet away from overhead power lines (this does not apply to single strand wires, such as street light and telephone wires).
- Plant at least 15 feet away from your home and other buildings.
- Plant 35 feet away from large trees (except for existing dead, failing, or over-mature trees that will be removed within three years).
- Plant 25 feet away from small trees (25 feet or shorter at maturity).
- Plant 5 feet away from buried utility lines (Call 811 or 1-800-922-1987 to have your underground utilities marked - a free service).
- Assess other potential obstructions for the tree's mature height and spread.
- Plant on East or West side of your home to maximize shade cover and energy savings (South side plantings may not be recommended for saving home energy in most cases because winter shading disrupts passive solar heating and may limit the potential for solar energy production).

 

Click here for Planting Instructions.

Click here for Tree Care Instructions.