POST FALLS - More than 3,000 free landscape trees will branch out to their new owners at Q'emiln Park on Saturday.

The city of Post Falls will hold its annual Tree Giveaway from 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for Kootenai County residents.

There will be a limit of three trees per household.

While the trees are free, any donations will go toward the city's Tree Trust Fund, which is used for education, grant matches and replanting trees.

Post Falls Urban Forester Brendan Murphy estimates more than 30,000 trees, with a value of more $3 million, have been given out during the 10 years of the event.

"These trees are an enormous value to the community," Murphy said. "Not only do they increase the urban forest for the aesthetic value, they purify the stormwater runoff, provide shade to save on air-conditioning costs, clean the air and protect the ground from erosion."

The nursery that donates the trees to the city wishes to remain anonymous. More than 60 volunteers put in more than 400 hours preparing for the event.

City Council President Linda Wilhelm will open the event at 8:45 a.m. by reading the Arbor Day proclamation. The distribution of trees will follow.

The available trees include: "Summer Cascade" birch, variegated dogwood (shrub form), Pagoda dogwood, Smokebush (shrub form), "Phantom" hydrangea, "Grandiflora" hydrangea, "Center Glow" ninebark, "Canada Red Select" chokecherry, "Kindred Spirit" oak and "Flamingo" willow.

Homeowners are encouraged to dial 811 for a utility line location check before digging planting holes.

Major sponsors that split the shipping cost for the event are JUB Engineering, Pioneer Title Company, Coldwell Banker and Panhandle State Bank. Other sponsors include Cannon Hill, Starbucks, Super 1 Foods and Northland Nursery.