Frequently Asked Questions

If you are a resident of the City and County of Denver, you may apply for free or low-cost trees through our Denver Digs Trees program. Tree applications are available in early January and due February 15.  Tree distribution day is Saturday April 20, 2024.  

 

If you are not a resident of the City and County of Denver, check out our annual Tree Sale held in conjunction with the Denver Digs Trees distribution.

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.
 
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.

*Focus neighborhoods are selected based on several factors, including particularly low tree cover.  Click this link for the list of the current Focus neighborhoods.
 
Trees of similar stock type and quality typically retail for over $150, so this is a great deal.

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

Focus neighborhoods are neighborhoods where residents receive trees for especially low fees.  The neighborhoods are selected based on several factors, including particularly low tree cover.  Click this link for the list of 'Focus Neighborhoods'.

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").

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).
 
We order trees in 3 types of "packaging": 1. bare root (no soil around the roots); 2. balled-and-burlapped (soil ball around roots; typically ~45 lbs); 3. container (typically plastic pot with lighter weight growing medium). We order varieties in various forms based on availability and pricing. There are pros and cons to each stock type, but we find great success with all types with proper planting and care.

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 several 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-April, so be sure to forward them the email, or print a copy for them to bring to the distribution site.  

2) We offer Early Pick-up on the Friday morning before distribution day.  You must contact our office in advance to request Early Pick-up as the location may be different from your original location and hours are very limited.  

3) You may contact our office if these options will not work for you, but please note that we have limited resources as we must quickly sell off any unclaimed trees after distribution.
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.

Prior to white settlement, trees were not a significant part of the natural landscape in the Denver area. Denver is actually considered High Plains, but because of its close proximity to the Rocky Mountains, people often mistake Denver for being naturally forested. However, historically, trees were restricted to riparian areas adjacent to rivers and creeks, as Denver's arid climate did not provide sufficient moisture for trees to grow in abundance. Trees did not originally grow naturally in Denver, but then again, neither did our city buildings, paved roads, cars, homes, and neighborhoods. We actively plant trees here today because they provide crucial green infrastructure that brings ecological balance to our built environment—our paved surfaces and our urban ecosystem. While they weren’t naturally occurring here in abundance, they are a critical nature-based solution to our local and even global environmental challenges. By planting trees in Denver now, and supporting forestry departments, private tree care companies, and training tree stewards, we are adapting to rising temperatures and making our city livable, for people and for urban wildlife. 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. Trees improve our quality of life!  

 

Actually, we DO plant some native trees! For example, Western Hackberry and Serviceberry are a couple of our favorites, and you will frequently see them on our tree distribution lists. However, the number of tree species considered “native” to our area are very limited, especially since there aren't many native trees that adapt well to our urban setting. For example, while Cottonwoods are wonderful trees for naturalized areas and valuable members of our neighborhoods when healthy and young, they tend to hollow out in their older years, presenting a public safety concern. And native conifers, which grow well in our mountains and parks, cannot be planted in the public right-of-way, as their cone-like canopy shape can block sightlines for traffic, street signs, and pedestrians. Biodiversity is also key to increasing the resiliency of our urban canopy. If only a select few tree species are planted, this heightens the risk of Denver’s canopy being decimated by disease or pests. For example, many decades ago, Denver overplanted its canopy with Ash trees, meaning one in six trees in Denver are currently Ash. Now, the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive pest recently spotted in Colorado, will eliminate Ash trees, 16% of Denver’s canopy. There are a wide variety of factors that we, Denver’s Office of the City Forester, Colorado State Forest Service, and other forestry experts take into account when selecting species to plant in our urban neighborhoods. Public safety, regular maintenance such as pruning and watering, biodiversity, and cost are just a few of these factors. Check out our list of favorite trees for Denver here, as well as Denver’s street tree list, and the Front Range Recommended Trees list on our Community Resources page. In addition to native trees, many of these trees support local and native insects and other wildlife populations while also providing robust environmental, social, health, and economic benefits to our communities.

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.

Dependant on availability and affordability, we are able to occasionally offer fruit trees, including apples, cherries, pears, peaches, and plums, during our Fruit & Yard Tree Sale held in conjunction with the Spring Tree Distribution.  The cost is typically $50-$100 (about 60% discount from retail nursery price). As of 2022, the City and County of Denver allows fruit trees to be planted in the public right-of-way. So fruit trees may occasionally be part of the list of available species through the main Denver Digs Trees distribution.

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.  If you apply (and are approved) for street trees through Denver Digs Trees, we will obtain the permit for you and mark the approved planting locations. Trees must be planted within the marked locations. Now that's service!

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.