Fayetteville Gives Away Free Trees and Shrubs at Celebration of Trees
Few errands end with a young tree coming home with you. In Fayetteville, one day a year makes that a normal thing to do.
The plant that comes home with you starts out small and ends up as part of your own yard.
THE DEETS
📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026
🕑 7:00 AM (first come, first served while quantities last)
📍Locations
- Spring Street Parking Deck (drive-through)
- Downtown Square, corner of East Avenue and Mountain Street, at the Fayetteville Farmer’s Market
🎟️ Free. Limit two plants per Fayetteville adult resident present, first come, first served while quantities last
🪪 Bring proof of residency, such as a utility bill
📞 479-444-3486 or 479-444-3470 for questions about this year’s species
🔗 More info | How to plant your tree or shrub
Two Stops, Two Ways to Pick Up Your Tree
At the drive-through, you are asked to remain in your vehicle. Enter the deck from Spring Street and exit on N. School Avenue. Staff and volunteers load the plants into your vehicle for you.
At the market booth, Urban Forestry staff give away trees and engage with the community.
Make Your Shortlist and Leaf Nothing to Chance
Decide on your plant before you arrive. Staff suggest making a top three list, which keeps the line moving and helps you leave with a plant that suits your yard. If you forget your list, species information will be available at the event.
Details on each species are on the City of Fayetteville website, so you can read up ahead of time.
Meet the 2026 Lineup
Fourteen species are yours to choose from this year. Many of the native trees and shrubs in the program benefit birds and pollinators, so you can pick with your yard’s wildlife in mind.
- American Beech
- Arrowwood Viburnum
- Black Gum
- Buttonbush
- Paw Paw
- Pecan
- Short Leaf Pine
- Strawberry Bush (Wahoo)
- Sycamore
- Tulip Tree
- Virginia Sweetspire
- White Oak
- Willow Oak
- Winterberry
Right Tree, Right Place
Urban Forestry staff stress this phrase. Your tree can take many years to reach its mature height and spread, so look at everything around your planting spot before you dig. Overhead power lines matter here, since a tree that outgrows its spot may need heavy pruning or removal.
Call Arkansas One Call at 811 or 800-482-8998 before you dig. A well-placed tree can add property value and reduce your utility bills.
Keep It Growing
Fayetteville Parks and Recreation staff and the Urban Forestry Advisory Board host the 28th annual Celebration of Trees, and they encourage you to plant and manage your tree or shrub as part of Fayetteville’s urban forest. The giveaway is one day, but growing a tree is a sustained effort.
Choose your plant and take a piece of Fayetteville home with you.
