Back to SearchThe City of St. Catharines is gearing up to give away more free trees this fall.
While fall’s tree giveaway will take place in a modified format with online ordering required – as it did for the spring giveaway – residents still have an opportunity to receive a free tree to plant at their own property, helping the City continue its efforts to grow the tree canopy in St. Catharines. Starting Tuesday, Oct. 12, at 9 a.m., residents can visit www.stcatharines.ca/trees to request a tree.
Five hundred trees are available on a first-come, first-serve basis through the online orders, with the trees to be picked up during designated pickup times on Oct. 23, at Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre. Those successfully requesting a tree will receive a follow-up email with pickup instructions and a specific timeslot between 8:30 a.m. and noon. Available trees for the fall giveaway include Eastern White Cedar, Ironwood or Nannyberry trees.
“Environmental stewardship is a key pillar in the City’s strategic plan and maintaining and expanding a healthy tree canopy is a key piece of that,” said Ilyse Norton, the City’s development horticultural technician. “A healthy urban canopy delivers benefits including reduced storm water runoff and capturing greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change.”
To receive a free tree, residents must agree to plant and maintain the tree on private property in St. Catharines, ideally in their own yards. Trees cannot be planted on boulevards, along streets or in City parks. Proof of St. Catharines residency is required, such as a driver's licence, and each property address is limited to one tree.
“The City’s tree giveaways are always a popular event, and we’re excited to bring back our fall tradition. It’s an important part of achieving our goal to increasing the tree canopy,” said Norton, explaining the City aims to plant at least 1,000 trees a year on City property, but also encourages and counts on residents to play a part by planting on private property, as more than 65% of the trees in St. Catharines are located on private property.
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Contact:
citizensfirst@stcatharines.ca
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