Tree Planting

How can I plant a tree?

• Plant a tree yourself – please fill out the application and email it to the urban forester who will respond with a list of tree species appropriate for your location.
• Request a tree from the city - Contact the Urban Forester and tree will be selected on your behalf to be planted in front of your home in the next available season. This program is limited in availability based on staff time, season and funding.
• Participate in a tree planting event –  Join the Neighborwoods Program or
• Volunteer Visit our volunteer page to be added to our list for tree planting or other volunteer projects in parks
• Donate to plant a Memorial Tree.

How to Plant a Tree

• Select the right tree for your location from the approved species list, the City’s Urban Forester can advise you on an appropriate tree for your location
• Buy from a reputable grower
• Call before you dig! A single phone call can save lives and lots of money so make sure to call 811
• Check out our tree planting specifications.
• Excavate a hole with sloping sides at least 3x the diameter of the root ball and to the proper depth so that the surface roots stay just above the surface of the soil after backfilling.
• Carefully place the tree and check for correct depth Backfill with soil and tamp firmly at the base of the root ball to stabilize the tree, the rest of the backfill should be watered-in rather than tamped and not compacted after watering.
• If necessary stake the tree in place to stabilize it (see illustration)
• Add mulch 3-4” deep but keep mulch 6” away from the trunk of the tree.
• Check out these great videos from the National Arborday Foundation!

Why plant a tree? 

• Trees provide a multitude of benefits to people living in an urban environment including
  • Shelter from summer heat and winter wind
  • Clean air and life-giving oxygen.
  • Increased property value and improved curb appeal for your home
  • Reduced storm water runoff = cleaner rivers and streams and a reduced load on our municipal sewer system.
  • Carbon sequestration.
  • Provide food and shelter for wildlife.

• In addition to all of these benefits trees provide a gift to future generations, planting a tree is an act of altruism and helps to strengthen our community.

New Tree Care

Newly planted trees require more care. The following steps will help a newly planted tree establish itself.

• Water deeply with 20 gallons of water once a week during the growing season. 
• Mulch with a clean natural wood mulch 2-3” deep in a saucer around the tree, don’t mound mulch up around the base of the tree. 
• Keep weeds and grass down by hand-pulling. The biggest single killer of newly planted trees is string trimmer or mower damage. Keep grass away for the base of the tree so you have adequate room to mow without damaging the tree. 

Growing Our Urban Forest Together

Over the next few months, you may notice the Corvallis Urban Forestry crew planting trees. Our city is proud to expand its commitment to creating a greener, healthier, and more vibrant community through our Urban Forestry Program. We aim to increase our urban forest canopy by planting an average of 200 trees annually!

Why Plant Trees?

Trees provide countless benefits, from improving air and water quality to enhancing property values and providing shade that reduces urban heat. Expanding our urban forest helps combat climate change, supports local wildlife, and makes our city an even more beautiful place to live.

Planting During the Dormant Season

To ensure the best chance of success for our new trees, we plant them during the dormant season (November to March). This period, when trees are less active, allows their roots to establish in the soil before the growing season begins. By planting in the cooler months, we give our trees the strongest start possible to thrive in their new environment.

Get Involved!

We welcome volunteers to join us at our tree-planting events. It’s a wonderful way to give back to the community and help shape a sustainable future. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just want to get your hands dirty, we’d love to have you!

If you're interested in volunteering or collaborating with us, please email us at UrbanForestry@corvallisoregon.gov

Is there a publicly owned space near your property that could benefit from a tree? Let us know! We’re always looking for new planting opportunities and would love to hear from you.

Together, we can grow our urban forest and create a legacy of green spaces for future generations. Thank you for helping us make our city thrive!