2025 Fall Free Street Tree Program
The Downtown Spokane Partnership and the City of Spokane are offering 40 free replacement street trees in the downtown business district this fall. Abutting property owners are responsible for street trees within the public right-of-way, and the trees are a part of required landscaping per city ordinance.
Through a new Downtown Pilot Program (active through August 2026), 40 free replacement trees are available this fall. Property owners may either hire a City-licensed landscaper to complete the planting, or have a City arborist oversee the work at no cost. The Tree Permit fee will be waived in both cases.
Planters
In early spring, volunteers and DSP staff take to the streets to turn downtown into an urban garden. Annually the DSP maintains over 100 downtown planters and added 128 hanging flowers baskets for the beautification of the sidewalk environment.
Clean-up kicks off during Spring Clean Week in April and plants are in place by Bloomsday and other Spring in Spokane events. The Clean Team and Downtown Ambassadors maintain and water the plants throughout the summer months. The DSP and BID are able to bring the plants to you thanks to revenue generated by parking meter money downtown.
If you would like to enjoy planters outside your downtown business, contact Downtown Spokane at 509.456.0580.
Trees
Large canopy street trees help reduce building cooling costs and extend the life of asphalt and pavement. Street trees cool and shade downtown's sidewalks, encouraging shoppers to stay longer. Large street trees create a strong "sense-of-place," soften the urban landscape, and are a competitive advantage for downtown. Street trees positively influence the distance people are willing to travel to shop in downtown.
The City of Spokane Urban Forestry office has developed a preferred list of urban trees and best practices for downtown.
Custom tree grates have been designed for designated downtown zones. Tree Grates are not only an aesthetic improvement surrounding our downtown trees, but they also provide significantly more access to run-off water and air circulation than the concrete grates. Contact the Downtown Spokane office for information on downtown street tree replacement and custom tree grates.