How to get a free tree in Philly for your yard this spring

Looking to spruce up your yard this year? The city’s TreePhilly program that offers free trees for Philadelphians is back for the spring season.

The Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department and the Fairmount Park Conservancy announced Monday that the TreePhilly program will return next month. Starting April 1, city homeowners will be able to take home a free tree to plant in their yard or on their street.

The TreePhilly program started back in 2012 after then-Mayor Michael Nutter proposed making sure every Philly neighborhood had 30 percent tree canopy coverage. As of today, the program has handed out 17,500 trees to homeowners.

Here’s how it works: Pre-register for one of the four pick-up events being held around Philly in April (walk-ins will be accepted, but while supplies last). There, you’ll be able to pick from a dozen types of yard trees. In addition, each resident will receive a free bag of mulch.

This spring, there are 12 tree varieties available, including black gum, red oak, gray birch, ironwood, red buckeye, Robin crabapple, staghorn sumac, witchhazel, sourwood, apple, apricot, and sweet cherry.

These are the four dates and locations for tree pick-ups:

• Saturday, April 1 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Congreso de Latinos Unidos courtyard (216 W. Somerset St.)
• Sunday, April 2 from 12 to 2 p.m. at South Philadelphia High School (2101 South Broad St.)
• Saturday, April 8 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Roxborough TD Bank Store (5501 Ridge Ave.)
• Sunday, April 9 from 12 to 2 p.m. at Frankford Avenue TD Bank Store (6635 Frankford Ave.)

• TreePhilly [Official]