Coeur d'Alene Offering 100 Free Street Trees; Signups by March 13

The City of Coeur d'Alene will plant 100 free street trees in public rights-of-way this spring through the Re-Leaf Coeur d’Alene program, and homeowners in city limits must sign up by March 13, 2026. The city says planting will occur in April or May and that distribution is limited and first-come, first-served.

“Coeur d'Alene city staff and area contractors will plant 100 trees in public rights-of-way this spring as part of the Re-Leaf Coeur d’Alene program,” the city notice states. The program is an annual effort; city officials say the trees are purchased with street tree funds and installed at no cost to participating homeowners.

Species available this season are Forest Pansy Redbud, Spring Snow Crabapple, Chanticleer Pear and Crimson Spire Oak. Homeowners must be willing to provide basic aftercare: “Trees are available to homeowners who are willing to provide care, including watering and protecting them from mowers and trimmers,” the city document reads. The city stresses that these plantings are not eligible to fulfill formal street tree requirements or to obtain refunds: “These trees cannot be used to fulfill street tree requirements/for a refund.”

Signups were encouraged beginning February 3 and the March 13 deadline is firm. To apply or for more information, contact Monte McCully, Trails Coordinator and Acting Urban Forester with the Coeur d’Alene Parks Department, at (208) 292-5766 or by email at mmccully@cdaid.org. The City Parks Department page lists the program under Urban Forestry/Re-Leaf for procedural details and any updates.

For local residents, the program offers immediate, tangible benefits at low personal cost. New street trees can improve shade on hot streets, help manage stormwater, and reduce airborne pollution along neighborhood corridors - benefits the city specifically cites in its program description: “Program was created to enhance our neighborhoods and provide many street-side benefits, such as mitigating stormwater and reducing pollution.” Planting by city crews or contractors also reduces the logistical burden for homeowners who want more canopy but lack time or equipment.

Practical considerations remain for applicants. The city will handle planting logistics in April or May, but homeowners should be prepared to protect young trees from lawn equipment and to provide regular watering as the season progresses. Demand typically exceeds supply, so residents who want a tree should contact the Parks Department promptly.

This season’s Re-Leaf rollout ties into the city’s ongoing street-tree funding practice and will be part of broader neighborhood greening efforts. For residents interested in a free street tree, act before March 13 and expect installation work to begin in April or May.