Community Tree Program
Applications for the Community Tree Program are now open!
Read the overview below for program details. All applicants will be processed on a rolling basis.
Planting Trees For All Newporters
The Newport Community Tree Program connects residents with free and reduced-cost tree plantings.
The program is open to all Newport residents, you do not need to own your home to request a new tree planting.
Trees may be planted on City property, along the street or sidewalk, or up to 20ft onto private property.
Addresses within Newport’s Health Equity Zone (HEZ), outlined on the map below, may request a new tree free of charge.
All other Newport residential addresses may request a tree planting for the subsidized cost of $125.
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Applicant reviews the program information and submits an application (select the “Apply Here“ button above) .
The Newport Tree Conservancy (NTC) contacts applicant to set up a site review.
NTC approves/declines application. All decisions will be communicated to applicants by April 30, 2025.
If approved, NTC marks planting site in applicant’s yard.
The City of Newport plants the trees starting in April.
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Outside HEZ: $125/tree. $25/water bag also available for purchase.
Inside HEZ: Free (Review the map above to determine if your address qualifies)
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• Location must be in the city of Newport
• Yard placement: trees must be sited within 20’ of a public right-of-way (street/sidewalk)
• Street placement: trees should not interfere with utilities, traffic, or pedestrians
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Participating in the Community Tree Program not only beautifies your home, but also provides the following benefits to you and our community as a whole:
• Energy savings from cooling shade
• Improved air quality
• Fights climate change by taking up and storing Carbon Dioxide
• Provides shelter and food for wildlife, such as pollinators and birds
• Reduces stormwater runoff
• Reduces urban heat island effect by cooling hot pavement
Curious about the specific benefits of your chosen tree species? Use the National Tree Benefit Calculator to learn more.
Trees will be 6’-10’ tall when planted, but will continue to grow for years to come. Use the scale below to plan for your tree’s future growth.
Tree Selection
Available Trees - 2025
Sun Valley Red Maple (Acer rubrum 'Sun Valley')
Type: Shade Tree
Native?: Yes
Mature Size: 35'H x 25'W
Points of Interest: Early spring flowers, red fall color
Description: A seedless selection (male) of red maple with outstanding orange vibrant fall color. Develops an attractive upright rounded habit, and matures to a smaller size than typical red maple. Highly adaptable, can be planted as a specimen tree in the lawn, or in the planting strip along the sidewalk as a street tree.
Strawberry Moon Chitalpa (xChitalpa tashkentensis ‘Strawberry Moon')
Type: Flowering Tree
Native?: No
Mature Size: 20'H x 20'W
Points of Interest: Showy flowers, interesting foliage
Description: An intriguing hybrid between two U.S native trees, the southern catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides) and the desert willow (Chilopsis linearis), this exotic and curious flowering tree is sure to be a consevation starter. Beautiful, orchid-like pink flowers bloom throughout the summer, and no fruit is produced as the plant is sterile. Grows and establishes quickly, maturing to around 20 feet tall.
Espresso™ Kentucky Coffee Tree (Gymnocladus dioicus 'Espresso-JFS')
Type: Specimen Tree
Native?: Yes
Mature Size: 55'H x 40'W
Points of Interest: Bark, compound leaves, yellow fall color
Description: Kentucky Coffee Tree is one of the toughest trees once established, largely resistant to pests and disease, and is capable of withstanding the most difficult abiotic factors. 'Espresso' develops an attractive branching habit, producing large compound leaves that cast a nice shade. Fall color is a warm buttery yellow.
Raspberry Spear® (Malus 'JFS-KW213MX')
Type: Flowering
Native?: No
Mature Size: 20'H x 48'W
Points of Interest: Spring blooms, dark purple foliage, upright habit, red fruit
Description: The ideal tree for a small yard, this tree provides season long interest with spring flowers, attractive purple leaves, and bright red fruit. The variety is distinctly upright growing, with flowers produced on twiggy growth, smothering the branches. Widely adaptable, works as a street tree, and praised by the tree experts.
Autumn Splendor Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum 'Autumn Splendor')
Type: Shade Tree
Native?: Yes
Mature Size: 45'H x 40'W
Points of Interest: Plated bark, bright fall color
Description: An adaptable sugar maple selection with good tolerance to heat and drought. Attractive dark green foliage is highly resistant to foliar disease through the summer, then in early November, the leaves turn a brillant orange. Slightly more restrained than other sugar maples, developing a dense, broadly oval habit.
Starlight® Dogwood (Cornus x elwinortonii 'KN4-43’)
Type: Flowering Tree
Native?: No
Mature Size: 30'H x 15'W
Points of Interest: Interesting bark, classic flowers
Description: A floriforus dogwood with a slender habit, this fast growing, mid May bloomer makes a great addition to the home landscape. The showy, cream white bracts may persist for nearly 2 weeks under the right conditions. Fall color is an attractive dark red, and the bark becomes flaky and mult-toned with age.
Emerald City® Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera 'JFS-Oz')
Type: Shade Tree
Native?: Yes
Mature Size: 55'H x 30'W
Points of Interest: Late spring flowers, yellow fall color
Description: A game-changing selection of a favorite native tree, Emerald City® has quickly become top tier shade tree for urban forests throughout the United States. More compact than typical tulip tree, Emerald City® won't mature to be so massive, developing a nice ovate habit. Fall color is a bright yellow, but the real treat is the late spring flowers that appear amongst the dark, glossy green leaves.
Pink Myst® Cherry (Prunus sargentii 'JFS-KW21PS')
Type: Flowering Tree
Native?: No
Mature Size: 25'H x 15'W
Points of Interest: Spring blooms, fall color
Description: Narrow and upright in form, but compact in height, this flowering cherry is well-suited for urban landscapes. Very cold hardy. Fall color is consistently bright orange-red, among the best of the Asiatic cherries. Handsome bark and an upright symmetrical habit provide winter appeal.
State Street® Maple (Acer miyabei 'Morton')
Type: Shade Tree
Native?: No
Mature Size: 50'H x 35'W
Points of Interest: Yellow fall color, winter silhouette
Description: An outstandingly adaptable, urban tough tree selected at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois.
Ivory Silk® Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata 'Ivory Silk')
Type: Flowering Tree, small garden tree
Native?: No
Mature Size: 20'H x 15'W
Points of Interest: Late spring flowers, polished bark
Description: An excellent upright rounded flowering tree for the garden, 'Ivory Silk' produces masses of ivory white flowers in June around Father's day. Best in full sun, this selection is highly resistant to mildew. During the best years, fall color is a pleasant yellow. With proper care, it can make a great street tree.
Prairie Expedition® American Elm (Ulmus americana 'Lewis and Clark')
Type: Shade Tree
Native?: yes
Mature Size: 65'H x 60'W
Points of Interest: Yellow fall color, bright green foliage, sculptural habit
Description: An extremely cold hardy, fast growing american elm selection with excellent Dutch Elm Disease resistance. Glossy dark green leaves turn golden yellow in the fall. Makes a great lawn or street tree, with a broad spreading canopy that provides adquate shade. Not to mention 'Lewis and Clark' has durability other trees will surely be jealous of.
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Type: Flowering Tree
Native?: Yes
Mature Size: 20'H x 20'W
Points of Interest: Showy flowers, interesting foliage, yellow fall color
Description: One of the best native trees, the edible, purple pink fllowers that emerge in early May are a joy to all who witness. Nice heart shaped leaves, yellow fall color and interesting bark are appreciated bonuses. Makes a nice yard tree, a true beauty when in peak spring bloom.
Boulevard Linden (Tilia americana 'Boulevard')
Type: Shade Tree, Street Tree
Native?: Yes
Mature Size: 50'H x 20'W
Points of Interest: Upright habit, yellow fall color, early summer flowers
Description: A narrow pyramidal selection of our native basswood, 'Boulevard' is equiped with the right habit for use as a street and lawn tree. Branching structure is superior to run of the mill T. americana, limiting brakeage as the tree ages. Showy flowers, yellow fall color, and a majestic winter architecture are added bonuses.
