Free Christmas Trees: City and Charity Programs Explained
Learn which charities give holiday trees, who qualifies, and how Portland yard trees differ.
Free Christmas trees are available through charity giveaways of cut trees and one city program for yard trees to plant. Charity trees go to families in need, while city trees go to Portland addresses for private planting. A cut tree is a fresh tree for indoor holiday use.
A yard tree is a living tree for outdoor planting. Knowing the difference saves time.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 02, 2026.
Which charities offer holiday trees for families?
Christmas Tree Santas buys fresh-cut trees and hands them out through local nonprofit partners. You need a voucher from a partner social-service agency to receive one. The group does not take direct requests from individuals, according to Christmas Tree Santas in its Tree Giveaways guide.
Trees are reserved weeks in advance while supplies last. Families seeking a tree from The Christmas Tree Project must use its online Request a Tree form rather than phone or email. The group states it cannot promise every applicant will receive a tree, according to The Christmas Tree Project in its Request Tree page.
Apply once through the correct form. Then watch for a reply about pickup.
What is available for military families?
Trees for Troops provides free farm-grown Christmas trees to U.S. armed-forces members and families. The program runs on donations, sponsorships, grants and volunteers, according to the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation in its Trees for Troops description.
Contact your base family office for pickup details. Bring proof of service if asked. This path fits households with a service connection.
It does not fit general applicants. Use the base channel, not a charity intake line.
What does Portland give residents to plant?
The City of Portland offers up to three free trees per Portland address for planting on private yards, worship sites or businesses. The fall 2026 round has 4,500 trees for pickup by preregistration, and street-tree sites are excluded, according to the City of Portland in its Trees for Your Yard page. These are living yard trees, not cut holiday trees.
You must plant them on private land. This fits owners, renters with yard permission, worship sites and businesses in Portland. It does not fit street planting or addresses outside Portland.
Preregister early because the count is fixed.
How should you apply before supplies run out?
Start with the right door. Charity cut trees move through agencies, military trees move through bases, and Portland yard trees move through city preregistration. Mixing them up wastes days during a short season.
Use this quick check before you contact anyone:
- Decide if you need an indoor cut tree or an outdoor planting tree.
- Gather your address, contact info and pickup transport.
- Contact the relevant intake point once, then wait for reply.
- Have a backup plan if supplies run out.