# Utrecht tree-pit (boomspiegel) and facade garden (geveltuin) self-management

> Other from Gemeente Utrecht (City) for Utrecht, UT, Netherlands.

Official page: https://www.utrecht.nl/wonen-en-leven/parken-en-groen/zelf-openbaar-groen-onderhouden/boomspiegel-en-plantenbak
Source: https://treerm.org/residents/programs/utrecht-boomspiegel-geveltuin-self-management · Updated 2026-11-08 · Status: Open

**What you get:** Plant and care for the tree pit outside your home with a one-time supply of plants and soil from the city, and make a facade garden without a permit with free tool and material loans

Utrecht lets residents green public space themselves. Anyone can take over an empty tree pit (boomspiegel) around a street tree by reporting it as self-management; the city places a 'zelfbeheertegel' and gives plants and soil once, lends non-electric tools and collects pruning waste. Residents whose house front meets the pavement can make a facade garden (geveltuin) without permission, and can borrow a trailer or cargo bike with a geveltuin kit (soil, edging, spade, tile cutter) for free from the waste-sorting stations. Groups can apply to the Initiatievenfonds for street greening.

## Who qualifies

Any Utrecht resident; the tree and pit stay city property. Tree pit: add at most 10 cm of compost, no chemical pesticides, protect the roots. Facade garden: at most 60 cm deep from the facade (two pavement tiles), dig no deeper than 30 to 45 cm, leave at least 1.20 m of clear pavement, stay 0.9 m from lamp posts, no fences or trees; the home owner's agreement is required. Different rules apply in the historic wharf area and protected cityscapes.

## How to apply

Tree pit: check the pit is empty, then submit the 'Zelfbeheer openbare ruimte aanvragen' form at loket.digitaal.utrecht.nl; the city contacts you and places the tile. Facade garden: no application needed; reserve the free trailer or cargo bike with geveltuin kit at loket.digitaal.utrecht.nl/nl/producten/aanhanger-of-bakfiets-lenen. Questions: 14 030 or your wijkbureau.

**For:** Homeowners, Renters, Community groups

> Note: Utrecht has no general free-tree giveaway on its pages; its greening page points residents to Meer Bomen Nu hubs (October to March) for free seedlings. No street-tree request form was found; the city says to ask the wijkbureau.