Two tree-themed opportunities are coming up this weekend in Bellingham. On Saturday, May 16, the City of Bellingham will hand out free tree saplings at the Bellingham Farmers Market, and any time this month cyclists can explore the city's notable trees with BIKE Bellingham's Treemendous Trees ride guide, a self-guided cycling tour highlighting 16 tree-themed places around town.
The free sapling giveaway is part of the city's Community Tree Programs, which has worked for decades to grow and protect Bellingham's urban forest. The Bellingham Farmers Market runs Saturdays at Railroad Avenue and Chestnut Street in the Depot Market Square area, typically from around 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The city's booth will be on-site, and supplies of saplings are expected to be available while they last.
The Treemendous Trees ride guide from BIKE Bellingham was created in partnership with the city to tie Bike Month to Bellingham's Landmark Tree Ordinance, which designates and protects significant trees throughout the city. The free self-guided ride includes a map, navigation assistance, and descriptions of all 16 stops, covering local history, ecology, and the stories of Bellingham's tree stewards and local tree heroes.
BIKE Bellingham is a program that provides themed ride guides connecting cyclists with Bellingham's culture, heritage, landscapes, and businesses. The Treemendous Trees guide is one of three themed routes currently available, alongside Gretchen's Murals and Quirky Quirks. All guides are free to download and use at your own pace, making them ideal for families, casual riders, or anyone looking to explore a side of Bellingham that is easy to miss from a car window.
Bellingham's Landmark Tree Ordinance has been an important tool for preserving the city's older and more significant trees as development pressure has increased over the years. Landmark trees have special protections under city code, requiring permits and review before they can be removed. The Treemendous Trees ride gives residents a direct way to connect with those trees and understand why protecting them matters for the city's neighborhoods, stormwater management, and overall livability.
May is Bike Month across Washington, with events and encouragement programs designed to get more people commuting, exploring, and exercising on two wheels. The Treemendous Trees ride guide ties directly into that spirit by giving cyclists a reason to ride that goes beyond fitness, turning a bike ride into a local history and ecology lesson at the same time.
For those interested in the city's broader tree programs beyond Bike Month, the City of Bellingham Parks and Recreation department manages the Community Tree Programs, which include tree planting, educational outreach, and the Landmark Tree designation process. Residents can nominate trees for landmark status through the city, and the program accepts new nominations on a rolling basis.
This Saturday's sapling giveaway is a direct, no-cost way for Bellingham residents to participate in expanding the city's urban forest. Bringing home a tree sapling and planting it in a yard or green space extends the same work the city's arborists do on public lands, one household at a time. Show up early at the Farmers Market booth for the best selection.
