Free Trees for Residents
Plant a tree at home and help bring trees to your neighborhood!
Order a Free Tree
Fairfax City residents can place a free order for a native tree through the Arbor Day Foundation on a first-come, first-served basis. Trees are offered twice a year, from March to May and September to December.
Trees help residents lower their energy bills and provide shade, beauty, and clean air to our community.
Our spring 2026 giveaway offers two options for receiving your tree: direct delivery to your address or in-person pick-up at Pat Rodio Park on April 25.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Am I eligible for a free tree?
All city residential households are eligible to participate in the tree giveaway program. Free trees are limited to one per residential address per season, or two trees total per year. Tree orders are processed in sequence through the Arbor Day Foundation website, while supplies last.
When are trees available?
The city's tree giveaway seasons align with recommended timing for planting and establishing trees in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. Residents are notified of orders opening and closing through official city communication channels, such as social media, email newsletters, and mailings.
Spring giveaway season: March - May
Fall giveaway season: September - December
*Please note, actual distribution dates may vary based on average temperatures and weather conditions.
How big are the trees?
Trees shipped by the Arbor Day Foundation are 1-gallon container size, or about 1-3 feet tall. Trees distributed at in-person giveaway events may be up to 3-gallon container size. Smaller tree sizes are prioritized for giveaways due to cost-effectiveness and ease of establishment versus larger trees. Tree height at maturity varies by species and growth conditions.
What species are available?
Tree species available to order vary season to season. Trees are specifically selected by the city's urban forest manager for suitability in residential yards and other desirable qualities (e.g., native range, wildlife benefits, tolerance to urban stressors, low soil volume requirements).
For spring 2026, available species will include:
- Red maple (Acer rubrum)
- Black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) - pick-up only
- American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) - pick-up only
- Black oak (Quercus velutina) - pick-up only
- Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) - pick-up only
- Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) - delivery only
- Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) - delivery only
- Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) - delivery only
- Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) - delivery only
I live in Fairfax County. Can I get a free tree?
Fairfax County Department of Public Works & Environmental Services has a separate tree distribution for Fairfax County residents. The trees are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents can sign up and select their trees at: https://get.arborday.org/fairfaxcountydirectship