Plant the Peak: Free Trees and Smarter Yard Care in Apex

What if the Town of Apex paid to plant a beautiful, professionally installed tree in your yard? If you want more shade, curb appeal, and lower energy bills, that is exactly what Plant the Peak can do. In this guide, you’ll learn how the program works, how to pick the right tree for Apex, and the simple care steps that help it thrive. Let’s dive in.

Plant the Peak basics

Plant the Peak is a Town of Apex program that covers the purchase and professional installation of one native or adapted tree per eligible single-family property, within Apex corporate limits. It’s first come, first served and typically runs in winter and early spring, when trees establish best. The Town ran a roughly 234-tree program in 2024, with plantings scheduled in early January and late February or early March 2025, and reports more than 300 trees installed since 2021. For current details and application dates, check the Town’s Plant the Peak page under Tree CAP on the Town website.

Apex is recognized as a Tree City USA community, which signals an ongoing municipal commitment to tree care, and is also a Bee City USA affiliate that supports pollinator habitat. These recognitions show why programs like Plant the Peak align with Apex priorities and community events. You can read more about Tree City USA standards from the Arbor Day Foundation.

• Learn more or apply: visit the Town’s Plant the Peak page under Tree CAP.
• About Tree City USA: review Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA overview.

Eligibility and timing

Single-family properties inside Apex corporate limits are eligible, with one tree per property. Apply as soon as the window opens. Slots are limited and filled in order received. Plantings typically happen during the dormant season, which supports strong root growth before summer heat. Check the Town page each fall and winter for application windows and planting schedule updates.

How to apply

Follow the Town’s instructions on the program page. A simple plan can help you move fast when applications open:

• Confirm your address is inside Apex corporate limits and that your property qualifies.
• Review the Town’s curated species list when it’s posted and think about your site.
• Choose a preferred planting area with good long-term space.
• Consider utilities and sunlight. More on that below.
• Submit your application immediately once the window opens.
• Watch for Town communications on any site visit and planting schedule.

Choose the right tree

Apex sits in North Carolina’s Piedmont and aligns with USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. That means you’ll have many great native and well-adapted options. The Town provides a curated list each season, and availability can rotate, so use the list as your starting point and be flexible.

Popular choices for our area include small ornamentals like Eastern redbud, flowering dogwood, and serviceberry; medium to large shade trees such as red maple, tulip poplar, and river birch; and long-lived oaks like southern red oak, white oak, and willow oak where space allows. Fruit-bearing options like American persimmon can support wildlife, but consider fruit drop near walkways.

For more guidance, browse the N.C. Forest Service’s Urban Tree List.

Quick selection checklist

• Match mature size to your space. Leave clear room from your home, sidewalk, and driveway.
• Prefer native or adapted species for durability and habitat value.
• Diversify. Different species reduce pest and disease risk.
• Check site moisture and sun exposure before you choose.
• Follow utility safety: use Duke Energy’s Right Tree, Right Place guidance and keep large trees away from power lines and transformers.

First-year care tips

The Town schedules plantings in winter or early spring to set your tree up for success. After installation, your consistent care makes the difference.

• Watering: give deep, regular water during the first 1 to 3 years, especially in dry weeks. Learn best practices from the Arbor Day Foundation’s watering guide.
• Mulch: apply 2 to 4 inches of mulch over the root zone and keep it pulled back from the trunk. Avoid mulch “volcanoes.” The NC Cooperative Extension offers clear mulching and planting tips.
• Staking: only if needed for stability, and remove after one growing season.
• Pruning: remove only dead or damaged wood early on. For structural pruning, use an experienced arborist and follow Town guidance.
• Safety: call 811 before you dig. Avoid planting under overhead lines and respect easements. Review Duke Energy’s planting safety guidance in the resource above.

If you have questions about maintenance responsibilities or any warranty period after installation, check the program terms on the Town’s Plant the Peak page.

Why trees benefit Apex

Your tree boosts comfort at home and helps the wider community. Properly placed trees can reduce heating and cooling energy use by up to about 25 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s landscaping guidance.

Across Wake County, the 2020 baseline shows about 54.2 percent tree canopy. The county lost an estimated 11,122 acres of canopy from 2010 to 2020, but identified more than 400,000 potential planting sites to prioritize benefits where they are needed most. County trees remove roughly 11,022 tons of pollutants per year, intercept about 8.1 billion gallons of stormwater annually, and store millions of tons of carbon over time. See the county’s summary of benefits and planting priorities in the Wake County tree canopy report.

Yard-smart resale tips

• Place new trees with future buyers in mind. Avoid planting too close to foundations, driveways, or septic lines.
• Keep a simple care routine. A well-mulched, healthy tree reads as low maintenance and attractive.
• Document the species, planting date, and care steps. Buyers appreciate clear records.

Ready to plant and plan ahead for your home’s comfort and curb appeal? Explore the Town’s Plant the Peak and Tree CAP page, then reach out to Kim Longest for neighborhood guidance, yard-smart listing prep, and a smooth move across the Triangle.

FAQs

What is Plant the Peak in Apex?

• The Town covers purchase and professional installation of one native or adapted tree for each eligible single-family property, first come, first served; see details on the Plant the Peak page.

Who qualifies for a free tree?

• Single-family properties inside Apex corporate limits qualify, one tree per property; check current eligibility and application windows on the Town’s program page.

When do I apply and when are trees planted?

• Application windows open seasonally, and plantings usually occur January through March; watch the Town site for dates and updates on the Tree CAP page.

How do I handle power lines and underground utilities?

• Do not plant under or near overhead lines, keep clear of transformers and easements, and call 811 before you dig; follow Duke Energy’s Right Tree, Right Place guidance.

Who maintains the tree after it’s installed?

• Homeowners are typically responsible for watering and basic care after planting; confirm responsibilities and any warranty period on the Plant the Peak page.

Do I need a permit to plant a tree on my property?

• Most private-property plantings do not require a permit, but rights-of-way, protected buffers, or development conditions may have rules; consult Apex’s Code of Ordinances or Town staff if unsure.