Lancaster Water Week

Free Native Trees

Register Your Free Native Tree or Shrub!

Please note: This form is just for registering trees you receive during 2026 Lancaster Water Week. This is not an order form to receive a tree.

NATIVE TREE BENEFITS

  • Are essential for our health and wellbeing! They filter the air you breathe and water you drink. Not to mention reduce stress and lower your blood pressure!
  • Capture and breakdown pollutants in our stormwater, keeping our local streams clean.
  • Absorb 48 lbs. of carbon dioxide, a gas that contributes to climate change, and provide enough oxygen for 18 people per year when mature.
  • Lower temperatures and o­ffer shade in our neighborhoods during hot summer days.
  • Grow Pennsylvania’s booming outdoor economy, which adds $14 billion per year! Activities like fishing, hiking, and hunting wouldn’t be possible without healthy streams and forests.
  • Keep Pennsylvania’s rich fertile soils in place on our farms and in our communities preventing rainwater runoff from polluting our rivers with the soils that help grow the food we eat.
  • Provide wildlife habitat, like shelter and food, for birds, mammals, and insects.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TREES PROTECT WATER HERE

Which native tree or shrub will work best for your home?

Not all tree species shown below will be available at each Water Week event. Supplies of each species are limited.

Pin Oak

(Quercus palustris)

  • Height 60-70′, width 35-40′
  • Full sun
  • Tolerates many soils, prefers moist loams
  • Red fall foliage
  • Acorns provide food for many animals

(Photo by Rmccrea via Wikimedia Commons CC BY 3.0)

Silky Dogwood

(Cornus amomum)

  • Height 6-10′, width 6-10′
  • Sun to shade, moist/wet soil
  • White flowers in spring/summer
  • Blue fruit in September

(Photo courtesy of Stephanie Brundage, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center)

Sweetbay Magnolia

(Magnolia virginiana)

  • Height 10-20′
  • Width 10-20′
  • Part shade
  • Moist soil
  • White flowers late spring/early summer
  • Late summer red fruit

Winterberry

(Ilex verticillata)

  • Height 5-15′
  • Any shade, any soil moisture
  • Green-white flowers in April-July
  • Red berries late summer to winter

(Photo courtesy of George H. Bruso, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center)

PLANT & CARE FOR YOUR TREE IN FOUR EASY STEPS!

STEP ONE

Dig a wide and shallow hole, gently remove the tree from its pot, and loosen the roots.

STEP TWO

Place in the hole; the soil level of the tree should be even or slightly above ground level. Not too deep.

STEP THREE

Gently backfill and evenly compress the soil around the tree. Make sure the soil is broken up with no air pockets.

STEP FOUR

Water tree immediately and at least 1-2 times per week through its first growing season. Keep weeds and grass clear of the tree base to help it thrive.

Water Week Home Page →

Thank You, Water Week Sponsors!