Environmental benefits of tree planting

An acre of trees can store 2.6 tons of carbon (pollution) annually that’s enough oxygen daily for 18 people. Trees provide relief for city residents by softening the harsh texture of concrete buildings and landscape. Trees offer privacy screens Trees provide protection from the sun's UV rays. Tress provide natural habitats for birds, insects and other wildlife Trees help prevent soil erosion.

In city areas without tree cover, streets and parking lots can raise air temperatures considerably. These areas known as "heat islands" can cause cities to be five to nine degrees warmer than surrounding areas.

Economic benefits of tree planting

Trees boost the City's image and can help attract residents, tourists and investors. Trees can increase the value of homes significantly. Deciduous trees planted on the south and west sides of a house can reduce air conditioning needs substantially. Evergreens planted on the north side of a house act as windbreaks, lowering winter heating costs by up to 10 per cent. For every 5 per cent of tree cover area added to a community, storm water run-off is reduced by approximately 2 per cent. In 50 years, one tree can generate $30,000 in oxygen, recycle $35,000 of water, and eliminate pollutants that would otherwise cost $60,000 to remove from the air. Trees, with their health, economic and environmental benefits, are the lifelines of our city.

How to plant a tree

8 steps to successful tree planting - It is important that trees are planted properly in order to give them the best chance to thrive and grow!

Give your newly planted tree the best chance for success! Before you dig in and plant, watch this video teaching proper tree planting technique. You will be all set to plant Trees Across Toronto!

Step 1 - Dig a hole that is wider and deeper than the pot that the tree is growing in.

Step 2 - Gently take the tree out of the pot, squeezing the sides of the pot if necessary, and pulling by the base of the tree.

Step 3 - Put the tree in the hole, making sure there is plenty of space around the rootball, and that the ground level is slightly above the rootball. Adjust if necessary, by digging a larger hole, or by filling back in if too big.

Step 4 - Put all the soil back in the hole by hand, breaking up larger pieces and tucking in firmly around the rootball. When finished, none of the rootball should be seen. To ensure the tree is planted correctly, do a “tug test” by trying to lift the tree from the hole. If planted correctly, the tree should not budge! Also, if the tree has a plastic tag, remove it now.

Step 5 - Place a degradable cardboard “mulch mat” around the base of the tree.

Step 6 - Collect 2 (two) full buckets of mulch. Shake the mulch around the base of the tree, covering the mulch mat entirely. Ensure that the mulch does not crowd the stem(s) of the tree. Aim to make a donut shape around the tree!

Step 7 - Take a plastic tree guard and wrap gently around the stem of the tree. If the tree is multi-stemmed, do not use a tree guard.

Step 8 - Voila!