Mountlake Terrace — To fight climate change, the city of Mount Lake Terrace, funded by the Department of Natural Resources, is offering free street trees and tree plantings to residents.
Trees help filter air pollutants, cool neighborhoods in the summer, encourage being outside, soak up water runoff, restore nature, increase property values, and decrease stress, Mountlake Terrace said in their announcement Tuesday.
Trees for Terrace applications will open Feb. 1 to homeowners and renters. Renters must get permission from the owner.
Participants will need to water their tree 15 to 20 gallons, around 22 cents, per week, during the dry season, until the tree is established. A free watering bag and wood chip mulch will be provided.
Participants will also need an area close to the street but far enough away from the sidewalk and underground pipes. To see if your property is compatible, click here.
To apply for your free street tree, fill out a short online form. Free tree applications will be accepted between Feb. 1 and March 31, with plantings this fall. Paper forms and information in other languages are available upon request.
Specific trees were selected based on their drought tolerance, the ability for shade, resistance to disease and insects, compatibility with pedestrians, and fall colors.
Large trees:
- Sugar Maple
- Scarlet Oak
- Greenspire Linden
- Japanese Zelkova
Medium trees:
- Kentucky Yellowwood
- Persian Ironwood
- Japanese Snowbell
Small trees:
- Paperbark Maple
- American Hornbeam
- Eastern Redbud
To foster diversity, the city is giving priority to those with a low tree equity score. Also those within a quarter mile of Highway 99 or Interstate 5 and in the Hall Creek drainage basin.
There will be one tree per address and tree availability is subject to change based on funding and stock.