TRees Across Colorado

In the early 2000s, there were several communities outside of the City of Denver, that were looking to offer free or low-cost trees to their community members. In 2003, CTC partnered with Gertie Grant, a passionate community advocate and tree lover, to develop Trees Across Colorado (TAC). In that first year, the program distributed approximately 200 trees to several communities in the Denver Metro Area. Today, the program regularly distributes several thousands of trees a year to communities across Colorado. For more than 20 years later, the program has distributed more than 30,000 trees to communities across the state!

  • TAC offers town foresters, homeowners associations, and community “tree huggers” the opportunity to purchase low-cost trees.

  • Trees are sold in #7 air pruned pots, unless otherwise noted. Trees are typically about an inch in caliper and are 5 to 10 feet tall.

  • Tree selection is subject to nursery availability. There are usually about 40 different varieties of trees from which to choose. In previous years, the program has offered oaks (e.g., chinkapin, English, swamp white, Shumard, bur), hackberry, Kentucky coffeetree, catalpa, Turkish Filbert, boxelder, amur corktree, hop hornbeam, linden, elm, tree lilac, eastern redbud, maple (e.g., hedge, Rocky Mountain, Bigtooth, Tatarian, etc.), and crabapple.

  • Air-pruning pots foster dense root systems without root girdling. Trees grown in air-pruned pots lose fewer roots when prepared for transport and establish more quickly than conventional container grown or balled and burlapped trees.

  • The size, price, and weight of the trees encourages volunteer community members to plant their own trees.

  • Yes, this program is designed for bulk orders, therefore groups must order at least 20 trees.

  • Volunteer time and bulk purchasing keeps tree prices low. Trees range from $50-$120 per tree (includes shipping and handling), depending on size. Each tree receives a slight mark-up from the wholesale price, which benefits the Colorado Tree Coalition.

  • A tree availability list and order form will be available in late summer or early fall. Trees are available on a first come-first serve basis. Tree orders must be finalized by mid-December. The trees are delivered in April.

  • Contact Gertie Grant (gertiegrant@estreet.net, 303.744.3882) or David Flaig (dflaig1@msn.com, 720.624.6555) for the current availability list and ordering form.

  • Trees ordered through TAC can be picked up in April (typically on a Thursday) at a distribution site (Windsor, Arvada, Lakewood, and Littleton). Distribution sites may be added or moved depending on the location of participating groups.