City of Tacoma - Urban Forestry-

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What is EverGreen Tacoma?

EverGreen Tacoma is Tacoma's Urban Forestry Program. What is Urban Forestry, you ask? Urban Forestry is the planning, management, and preservation of natural and planted vegetation in urban areas for the health and well-being of all people.

Urban Forestry is an integral part of the vast variety of services the City of Tacoma offers its citizens and it can often be a part of the solution to municipal issues and problems, such as traffic calming, stormwater management and more!

For information about our current projects and news, such as the Code Update Project, please visit our News page.

Are you interested in planting trees on your property or in the right-of-way (planting strip area)? If so, please visit our TreeStreet NW page for more information.

Plant for success! Check out this great video short from the DNR for tips on planting and caring for trees properly. Need help with tree selection, planting, and/or pruning? Check out our Events page for upcoming free workshops. More information about tree care can be found on our Resources page (there's lots of information there-don't miss it!).

Permits for planting, removals or pruning of trees in the right-of-way
Did you know that the City of Tacoma expects all companies and individuals working on trees in the right-of-way within the city limits to apply for a tree care permit? Well they do! Find out more about tree work permits, on our tree work permit web page.

Have you ever wondered how much that tree in your yard might be worth? Check out this neat online tree calculator! Did you know that for every $1 invested in a tree in Western Washington, approximately $2.70 is returned in benefits (ranging from air quality, carbon sequestration to aesthetics)?

EverGreen Tacoma is now on Facebook! Stay tuned for updates on our acitivities, information about gardening and trees, and our Tree of the Week where we highlight our trees around the City. If you have tree suggestions, please email us at trees@cityoftacoma.org or leave us a message on Facebook!

Tree Related Issues

For concerns about sidewalks, visit the sidewalk program web page.

For concerns about trees in service lines from pole to pole*, visit Tacoma Power's website. For downed power lines, please call and leave a message at Tacoma Power (253) 502-8602. *Power lines from pole to house are the property owner's responsibility to maintain, to have the power shut off for pruning, please call Tacoma Power (and leave a message) at (253) 502-8729 or email treeline@cityoftacoma.org.

For tree/vegetation blockage issues, such as blockage of sidewalks, roads, alleys, or traffic signs (other than STOP and YIELD signs) please call Tacoma Cares at (253) 591-5001 or email TacomaCares@cityoftacoma.org.

For blockage of sight distance (at intersections) or STOP/YIELD signs, please call (253)591-5500.

For permit information about pruning, removal and planting trees in the right of way, visit our tree work permit web page.

To report a tree in the right-of-way that may pose a significant threat to public safety, health or welfare, send an email to us, or call (253) 591-2048. Please note that trees on private property that do not pose a significant threat to public safety, health or welfare are a private (or civil) matter- this means that the City cannot get involved in the matter. Please direct your questions elsewhere for these situations. Pierce County Center for Dispute Resolution may be able to help mediate conflicts between neighbors about trees. You can contact them at (253) 572-3657. Pierce County Bar Association may be able to assist with legal questions.

For more information on trees, yard care and much more, please check out our Resources page.

Tips for hiring a good arborist.

E-mail contact for this page: trees@cityoftacoma.org