Sammamish staff: 54% tree canopy; city to target low‑canopy neighborhoods with free tree giveaway
July 11, 2026 | Sammamish City, King County, Washington
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City sustainability staff presented a King Conservation District (KCD) citywide canopy assessment and announced a free tree giveaway to boost residential canopy in target neighborhoods.
"We have 54% tree canopy cover in Sammamish," staff said during the presentation, noting Sammamish ranks among the higher canopy percentages in King County. The assessment compares aerial datasets from 2017 through 2023 and reports about 153 acres of canopy gains across that interval; staff explained canopy growth measures canopy area (mature tree crowns and shrub cover), not only newly planted trees.
Staff summarized planting opportunity data from the assessment: "What you can see here is we have about 20% of plantable space available in the city as of 2023. Ninety‑six percent of the plantable area in Sammamish is residential," the presenter said, urging resident participation in planting on private property.
To act on those findings, the city will participate in a fall tree giveaway coordinated with Issaquah. Staff said, "We are, having about 300 trees available to folks at the giveaway. Between Issaquah and Sammamish, we have 650 total trees." Registration opens July 10 and runs through Aug. 31; pickup is scheduled for Nov. 7 at Pickering Barn in Issaquah. Staff said applicants should plan to plant trees on their own lots; renters must get landlord permission and HOA rules must be checked where applicable.
Commissioners pressed staff on methodology and neighborhood averages: staff explained census‑block colors in the KCD viewer are averages but the viewer supports granular inspection so commissioners and residents can identify specific census blocks and parcels for targeted outreach.
Staff also described planned outreach and follow‑up: a tree catalog will be posted online at launch, the city will staff booths at Kohani Days and the Sustainable Sammamish Farmers Market to promote signups, and organizers plan reminder emails, an October tree‑care workshop and post‑pickup surveys modeled on Issaquah's follow‑up.
No formal policy votes were taken; commissioners requested follow‑up reports in September showing signup distribution and percentage of applicants from targeted low‑canopy census blocks.
"We have 54% tree canopy cover in Sammamish," staff said during the presentation, noting Sammamish ranks among the higher canopy percentages in King County. The assessment compares aerial datasets from 2017 through 2023 and reports about 153 acres of canopy gains across that interval; staff explained canopy growth measures canopy area (mature tree crowns and shrub cover), not only newly planted trees.
Staff summarized planting opportunity data from the assessment: "What you can see here is we have about 20% of plantable space available in the city as of 2023. Ninety‑six percent of the plantable area in Sammamish is residential," the presenter said, urging resident participation in planting on private property.
To act on those findings, the city will participate in a fall tree giveaway coordinated with Issaquah. Staff said, "We are, having about 300 trees available to folks at the giveaway. Between Issaquah and Sammamish, we have 650 total trees." Registration opens July 10 and runs through Aug. 31; pickup is scheduled for Nov. 7 at Pickering Barn in Issaquah. Staff said applicants should plan to plant trees on their own lots; renters must get landlord permission and HOA rules must be checked where applicable.
Commissioners pressed staff on methodology and neighborhood averages: staff explained census‑block colors in the KCD viewer are averages but the viewer supports granular inspection so commissioners and residents can identify specific census blocks and parcels for targeted outreach.
Staff also described planned outreach and follow‑up: a tree catalog will be posted online at launch, the city will staff booths at Kohani Days and the Sustainable Sammamish Farmers Market to promote signups, and organizers plan reminder emails, an October tree‑care workshop and post‑pickup surveys modeled on Issaquah's follow‑up.
No formal policy votes were taken; commissioners requested follow‑up reports in September showing signup distribution and percentage of applicants from targeted low‑canopy census blocks.
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