The City of St. Catharines plants new boulevard trees to help improve air quality and add economic value, beauty and shade to a neighbourhood.
How to request a new tree
If you are a resident, business or landowner, you can request the City to plant a free tree on the City-owned road allowance or boulevard in front of their property through our Street Tree Planting Program.
To request a new tree, you must:
- View the list of trees approved for boulevard planting;
- Select the type of tree that you would like planted;
- Fill out the request form:
Trees can also be requested by calling 905.688.5600. Please be ready with your name, address, preferred tree type, and contact information.
We recommend selecting different types of trees than your neighbours to support a diverse and healthy urban forest. Having a variety of species helps protect trees from pests and diseases that spread through an area and target specific tree types.
Once you have requested your tree, the City or its contractor, will plant the tree for you.
Deadline for requesting a new tree
The City has a spring planting season which begins in April (weather dependent) and a fall planting season which begins in September (weather dependent). The deadline to request a new tree is:
- Spring: April 1
- Fall: August 30
Please note in some situations you will need to wait until the next planting season for the new tree.
Other recommendations
We may recommend smaller trees if your area has overhead utility lines. This helps to minimize future costs from tree maintenance and creates a healthier urban forest.
In certain locations, we may not be able to plant a tree at all due to space constraints, underground services or overhead utility lines. Staff will advise if this is the case.
Suggest a location for a new tree
Through our Help Us Green Our Streets initiative, you can suggest a street, boulevard or City property that would benefit from a new tree. This will help grow a tree canopy and make our community beautiful by filling out our Green Our Streets request form.
Report a dead tree
To report a dead tree, call Citizen's First by calling 905.688.5600 or send us an email to report a dead tree or request an inspection.
Where we plant new trees
View our Tree Planting List to find where we plant trees within the City. You will find these trees usually on:
- Public boulevards
- Road allowances fronting residences
- Residential areas where trees do not currently exist
How to care for your new tree
To care for your new tree, we recommend:
- Keep lawn mowers and string trimmers away from the trunk to avoid damaging the bark
- Water your tree twice a week during dry periods but do not over water
- Please leave the wood chips in place. Wood chips protect the tree from damage and reduce water loss by allowing water and nutrients to penetrate the soil more easily
- Do not pile soil or grass clippings over the mulch
- If additional mulch is needed, do not mound the mulch towards the trunk like a pyramid
Frequently asked questions
View our frequently asked questions about boulevard trees:
| My City tree has recently been removed within the last year. When can I expect a replacement? |
| Trees are planted in spring and fall of each year. The stump of your old tree must be removed before we can plant a new one. The City has a process for following up on all stump removals with a new tree planting. However, feel free to request one early! |
| Can I have the tree planted off the road allowance and on my own property? |
| No. The Street Tree Program only plants trees on the City-owned road allowance of properties. City staff will come out to see if there is enough space to plant a tree on the road allowance of your property. All trees planted on the road allowance belong to the City. They will be maintained by City staff and cared for by you. |
| Can the new tree be planted where an old one was? |
| No. Tree stumps are removed to a maximum depth of 30 cm. This is not deep enough to accommodate a new tree. The new tree will be planted some distance away from where the old tree was. Distance will vary on the size of the previous stump and its root system. |
| Can I have my tree planted in the boulevard? |
| Trees will not be planted in any boulevard where the width of the grass area is less than 1.75 meters. |
| Can I have a tree planted next to an existing tree on the City portion of my lot? |
| Trees are planted at least 6 to 10 meters away from existing trees depending on the species. City staff will see how much space is available and suggest a tree species. |
| Can I have more trees planted on the City road allowance around my home? |
| Trees are planted at least six to 10 meters away from existing trees depending on the species. City staff will see how much space is available and suggest a tree species. |
| I have had landscaping done on my lot. Can I have a street tree planted in the new garden or bed? |
| The Street Tree Program plants trees on the City-owned road allowance of properties. We do not plant trees in existing beds due to potential conflicts with existing plant material. In some cases, exceptions may be made in consultation with City staff. |
| My neighbour just had a tree planted. Since planting crews are in our area, can I get a tree planted too? |
| Planting locations must be approved prior to installation. Planting lists are provided to contractors well ahead of the actual planting dates and new additions cannot be made to the lists that are active at the time of planting. If your request for a tree originated because of the removal of a mature tree, then the stump must be removed prior to planting a new one. |
| My newly planted tree is dead or dying. Should I request a new one? |
| Dead trees which appear to have been properly cared for will be replaced up to three times. A different species of tree better suited to soil conditions may be planted in these cases. Trees are warrantied for two years and can be replaced in the next planting season by our contractor. Trees are inspected on a semi-annual basis. |
| Who waters and trims the trees once they are planted? |
| When first planted, the City will mulch and stake the tree. Afterwards, watering and caring for your new tree is your responsibility. All maintenance on your tree such as trimming will be taken care of by the City of St. Catharines. |