There is no better time than now for you and your neighbors to begin planning a fall tree planting project. Now in its fourth year, the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Fall Tree Fund promises to be better than ever, helping to achieve the Mayor's goal of 20,000 trees planted by the millenium.

The Fund makes free trees available to neighborhood groups for fall planting projects. In exchange, neighborhood groups agree to attend a hands-on training session that prepares them for planting and maintaining their trees. Since 1996, the Tree Fund has provided over 4,300 trees to neighborhood groups for planting on residential streets and in parks.

Working in cooperation with the Seattle Transportation City Arborist's office or the Department of Parks and Recreation, groups can apply for between 10 and 40 trees for planting in residential parking strips and in selected parks. Neighborhood match, consisting of volunteer time for organizing the project and planting the trees, is required from each group.

Applications are due Friday, Aug. 6, with projects approved on a first-come, first-served basis.

In addition to the environmental benefits provided by trees, planting trees is a fun way to build community and meet your neighbors. Gather your friends and neighbors to organize a spring planting project and make a contribution to Seattle's urban forest!

For more information, call 684-0215 or 684-0320.