April 8, 2026
Imagine Grinnell will host its next Free Tree Distribution on Friday, May 15, offering a variety of fruit trees and shade trees to residents across Poweshiek County. The initiative is part of Imagine Grinnell’s ongoing work to support a healthier environment and expand tree canopy across the community.
Fruit trees will be available to Poweshiek County residents, while low-growing and shade trees will be available to Grinnell residents in select areas. Both tree options will be distributed on May 15.
The city tree planting initiative is being conducted in partnership with the City of Grinnell, with a focus on planting trees in the public right-of-way (ROW) to help strengthen and restore the community’s urban forest. Applications for right-of-way plantings will be coordinated and completed by Imagine Grinnell. The focus areas in Grinnell for tree planting are Main and Broad Street between 7th and 11th Avenues, East Street, and 4th Avenue.
Fruit tree varieties available include: Freedom Apple, Chestnut Crabapple, Honeycrisp Apple, McIntosh Apple, Mount Royal Plum, Contender Peach, Redhaven Peach, Reliance Peach, Montmorency Cherry, and Mesabi Cherry.
Low-growing and shade tree options include: Hophornbeam, Eastern Redbud, Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry, Spring Snow Crabapple, Prairie Fire Crabapple, Majestic Blackgum, Espresso Coffeetree, Patriot Elm, Autumn Gold Ginkgo, Skyline Honeylocust, Redmond Linden, Ann Magnolia, Fall Fiesta Sugar Maple, Chinkapin Oak, and Heritage Birch.
All fruit trees will be distributed in 5–10 gallon containers, while low-growing and shade trees will be available in 15 gallon containers.
Tree delivery and planting assistance from the Imagine Grinnell Tree Corps will begin at 10 a.m. on May 15 for residents who requested help with planting. For those picking up their trees, pickup will take place from 4–5 p.m. on May 15 at the Ahrens Park South parking lot (near the sledding hill). Volunteers for the Tree Corps tree planting and distribution event may sign up on the Imagine Grinnell website.
Applications for trees are available on the Imagine Grinnell website at:
https://www.imaginegrinnell.org/programs/#treecorps Residents may also call 641-236-1562 to learn more.
“Planting a tree is one of the simplest ways people can make a lasting impact on their community,” said Sue Kolbe, a volunteer with the Imagine Grinnell Tree Corps. “We love helping residents choose the right tree and making sure they have the information they need so it can thrive for years to come.”
Imagine Grinnell continues to lead efforts to replant and strengthen the community’s urban forest, supporting long-term environmental health and community beautification.
About Imagine Grinnell
Imagine Grinnell is a partner program of the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation focused on creating healthier people and a healthier environment in the Grinnell community. The mission of Imagine Grinnell is to turn imagination into action to create a more vibrant, sustainable, and healthy Grinnell. For more information about Imagine Grinnell or to get involved, visit imaginegrinnell.org or call 641-236-5518.
