What is the Green Blocks program?
In 22-23, we brought trees to the Tacoma Mall neighborhood with the support of the City of Tacoma. Residents of the area bordered by I-5, South Tacoma Way, and South 56th Street receive free trees for their right-of-way.
Our goal was to distribute 300 street trees to the Tacoma Mall Neighborhood as part of the effort to reduce polluted stormwater runoff, ease the urban heat island effect, and help neighbors create a greener community. This work is connected to our G.R.I.T. partnership that is studying the social and environmental benefits of city trees.
What Types of Trees Did We Offer?
This is the list of trees people were able to choose from and plant in their right-of-way.
For more details on planting in the right-of-way, visit www.cityoftacoma.org/urbanforestry
Small Trees
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Japanese Stewartia
Stewartia pseudocamellia
A small tree known for its delicate, white blooms and attractive multi-colored patchwork bark and bronze to purple fall foliage. Slow growing, mature height up to 25 feet.
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Hinoki Cypress
Chamaecyparis obstusa
Compact evergreen conifer with glossy, dark green, fan-like foliage. Slow-growing, reaches 15 feet in height.
Medium Trees
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Goldenrain Tree
Koelreuteria paniculata
A deciduous tree that provides year round interest with fragrant, yellow blooms in the summer followed by lantern-like decorative seed capsules in the fall. Mature height 20-35 feet. -
Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora
Large, glossy, evergreen leaves, often cinnamon brown "felt" on underside of the leaf. Large, creamy-white, fragrant flowers (8-10 inches across) that start to appear in late spring. Ranges in size from 30-50 feet at maturity.
Large Trees
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Pacific Brilliance Pin Oak
Quercus palustris "Pacific Brilliance"
Broadleaf, deciduous tree, 40-50 feet tall at maturity. Glossy, dark green leaves that transition to shades of russet, bronze, and brilliant red in the fall. -
Red Oak
Quercus rubra
Broadleaved deciduous trees that grow 50 feet and are famed for their spectacular fall colors in vibrant shades of red, burgundy, copper, and bronze. Like all oak species, the red oak produces acorns. -
Black Pine
Pinus nigra
Well-adapted evergreen conifer with an average mature height of 50-80 feet. Bark is light gray to dark brown with dark green needles.
Thank you to our partners!
Green Blocks is a program of the Tacoma Tree Foundation. Funds for this project were provided by the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program, administered through the State of Washington Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program, with support of the City of Tacoma. The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.