free native trees from the city, anybody sign up?

Saw on the city notices Bryant is teaming up with that central Arkansas tree planting group to hand out free native trees for yards. Im gonna sign up but havent yet. Anybody done it?

My yard is that red clay, dig a hole and it holds water like a bucket then bakes hard as a brick in august. Lost a dogwood out back years ago thats why im asking. Thinking redbud or a willow oak maybe. What natives have yall actually had luck with around here in Saline County, not just what the book says

Also dont plant a bradford pear. I mean it

Haven't signed up yet but I'm about to now, thanks for the heads up. We're out on Alexander Road and it's the same red clay out here. My grandpa had a couple of willow oaks and they did great once they got past the first summer. Water them deep a couple times a week that first year and they take off.

Redbud is a solid pick too. Bald cypress handles clay that holds water better than people think, if you've got a low spot that stays soggy. Persimmon is another one that doesn't care, and the deer love it come fall 🦌

Fair warning, if you plant anything small, put a cage or tree guard around it. Deer will wreck a young tree overnight, especially in winter when there's not much else to eat. And yes on the Bradford pear, those things split in every storm.