Council tree officer Elena O'Neill said a New Plymouth nursery's export order from Europe and the United States had fallen through when the global economy crashed.
As a result, thousands of trees were going to be destroyed, but the company decided to send letters to local authorities asking if they were interested in receiving trees.
The council was given about 1500 "beautiful" trees, including magnolias, maples and witch hazels.
"We are really excited.
"It's just totally cool because you don't often get something for free," she said.
About half went to the Dunedin Botanic Garden, while the other half would be plantedout around the city.
Many of them were planted last week by Taskforce Green on land used by the Rhododendron Trust at the Mt Grand water treatment plant.
The trees would remain there for about one year to strengthen before being replanted.
