The City offers several grants and incentive programs which encourage tree and shrub planting on private property. These programs support partnerships and collaboration with homeowners, landowners and not-for-profit organizations that advance the City’s strategic priorities to invest in people and neighbourhoods, tackle climate change and build resilience. As more than half of Toronto’s land is privately owned, residents and communities play an important role in reaching the City’s 40 per cent canopy cover goal.
The Toronto Free Tree Program (formerly the Community Canopy Program) provides Toronto residents with free native trees and shrubs for their properties through City-run giveaways.
Trees and shrubs from the Toronto Free Tree Program must be planted on privately-owned land such as your front, side or back yard, within the City of Toronto. Please note that a portion of the front or side lawn may be owned by the City as part of the road allowance and is not eligible for this program.
Toronto residents can register for the program and select up to two trees or shrubs per household each spring and fall. The trees and shrubs come in 1 or 2-gallon pots and range from 1 to 4 feet in height.
The pickup locations for the Toronto Free Tree Program change each season and are distributed throughout the City to ensure equitable access to the program. Preregistration is required. Register for one of the spring Tree and Shrub Pickup Dates below starting April 7, 2026.
Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum)
Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)
Grey Dogwood (Cornus racemosa)
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis)
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor)
White Spruce (Picea glauca)
• Mature Height: 40+ feet
• Mature Width: 10+ feet
• Light Requirements: Full Sun, Part Shade
• Soil Preference: Moist, well-drained soil.
• Growth Rate: Slow
• Features of Interest: Spruces retain their needles year-round, providing privacy, wind breaks and sound buffers.
• Wildlife Benefits: Provides year-round food and shelter for birds and other wildlife.
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
The Neighbourhood Planting Program supports eligible community-based not-for-profit groups to host a tree giveaway or planting event in their neighbourhood. Eligible groups can apply to host either a free tree and shrub giveaway or a planting event. All trees and shrubs are to be planted on private property within the City of Toronto
Applicants are responsible for pre-registering participants for a tree giveaway event.
Events must take place between April to June 2026.
The program provides free native trees and shrubs and free educational materials. Groups can also apply for financial assistance to purchase materials to help run their event and promote the survival of the new plants.
Each season, a variety of native trees and shrubs will be provided by the City. Successful applicants will submit order for species and quantities. The City will deliver the requested plant material to your event.
The trees and shrubs will come in 1- or 2-gallon pots and range from 1 to 4 feet in height.
Please read the Neighbourhood Planting Program Spring 2026 Guidelines before applying.
The application period for spring events has ended, please check back here for updates on the fall application period.
See the list of available events this spring below. Check back here for registration information on April 7.
| Event | Date and Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto Free Tree Program: Earth Day | Wednesday, April 22
10 a.m. to Noon |
McCowan District Park 150 McCowan Rd., Scarborough, ON M1M 2A4 |
| Toronto Free Tree Program | Saturday, May 2
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
Withrow Park 725 Logan Ave., Toronto, ON, M4K 3B9 |
| Toronto Free Tree Program | Wednesday, May 6
4 to 7 p.m. |
Maple Leaf Park 320 Culford Rd., North York, ON M6L 2V7 |
| Spring Bird Festival | Saturday, May 23
10 a.m. to 2 p.m |
Colonel Samuel Smith Park 3145 Lake Shore Blvd W., Etobicoke. |
| Toronto Free Tree Program | Wednesday, May 27
4 to 7 p.m. |
Edithvale Community Centre 131 Finch Ave W., North York, ON M2N 2H8 |
| Toronto Free Tree Program | Saturday, May 30
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
Iroquois Park 295 Charland Blvd. S, Scarborough ON M1S 3P4 |
| Toronto Free Tree Program | Saturday, June 6
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
Driftwood Community Recreation Centre 4401 Jane St., North York, ON M3N 2K3 |
The Community Grants support tree planting and stewardship projects carried out by eligible not-for-profit organizations, charities and institutions on private land within the City of Toronto.
Application assessment considerations may include a project’s ability to increase canopy cover, build community connections, increase equitable access to green infrastructure and environmental impact.
Applications for 2025 are now closed. Please check back here for updates on the 2026 Community Grants opportunities.
The Community Planting and Stewardship Grant supports tree planting and stewardship on private land by not-for-profit and charitable organizations within Toronto.
Download the Community Planting and Stewardship Grant 2025 Guidelines.
The Greening Partnership Grant supports partnerships with public school boards, hospitals, colleges, universities and other eligible institutions that will increase canopy cover through tree planting and stewardship on private land.
Download the Greening Partnership Grant 2025 Guidelines.
The City has partnered with Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF) to offer tree planting services on private property to Toronto residents at a subsidized cost.
LEAF offers either a full-service planting option or a do-it-yourself planting option.
Under the full-service option, you will receive an in-person site consultation with a LEAF arborist, delivery, planting, and mulching of your new tree and ongoing support and educational material from LEAF. The full-service option costs range from $160 to $230 per tree (+HST).
If you are interested in planting the tree yourself, you will receive a virtual consultation with a LEAF arborist, delivery of your new tree and mulch, as well as ongoing support and educational materials from LEAF. The do-it-yourself option costs range from $110 to $180 per tree (+HST).
The trees sizes range from 5- to 8-foot-tall native deciduous trees or 2- to 4-foot-tall native evergreen trees.
From 2017 to 2025, the Urban Forestry Grants and Incentives Program has invested and leveraged over $25.4 million and funded 247 projects across all 25 wards in Toronto. Together, with the help of our partners, we have been able to plant over 128,000 trees and shrubs on private land and engage over 326,000 people. The impact reports listed below highlight our achievements in increasing canopy cover on private land and showcase the successes of our community partnerships and collaborations.
While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no text alternative available for some of the content on this site. If you require alternate formats or need assistance understanding our maps, drawings or any other content, please email forestrygrants@toronto.ca.
See two versions of the 2024 Urban Forestry Grants and Incentives Impact Report:
See two previous versions of the 2020 Urban Forestry Grants and Incentives Impact Report:
Eleven projects were selected to receive funding in support of tree planting and stewardship on private land in Toronto with work to be completed throughout 2026.
Over 5,700 trees and shrubs will be planted through these projects. They will also engage and educate communities through planting events, educational workshops, citizen science and youth programming.
| Project Name | Impact | Service Area |
|---|---|---|
| Parc Downsview Park Inc: Downsview Park Circuit Path Canopy Phase #2 | Downsview Park is continuing to work towards their goal of increasing canopy cover, adding shade, improving park aesthetics, and promoting ecological health by planting large-caliper and smaller potted native trees in main areas of the park. By including local residents and community volunteers in the plantings, Downsview Park will help instill a sense of stewardship and connection to the natural environment. |
|
| Seneca Polytechnic: Enhancement and Refinement Project 2026 | Building on the success of previous Greening Partnership grants, Seneca Polytechnic will be maintaining existing trees and shrubs as well as planting new trees and shrubs at the Newnham Campus. This project will engage FirstPeoples@Seneca, students, and the wider community throughout the creation of this green space. |
|
| Toronto District School Board: Growing TDSB’s Urban Forest | Supporting existing tree planting programs, TDSB is continuing to plant native trees on school properties throughout Toronto. TDSB will provide tree care maintenance to improve the survival rate of new and existing trees. This project will increase shade on school properties and increase access to green space for all students across TDSB schools. |
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| Unity Health Toronto: Providence Healing Forest | Unity Health Toronto will be planting trees at their Providence Healthcare site to create a restorative space that supports the physical and mental health of staff, patients, and visitors. This project will increase the urban canopy and local biodiversity while engaging the community through a planting event and educational signage incorporated throughout the new green space. |
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| University of Toronto Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design: Nikibii Dawadinna Giigwag Indigenous Youth Program | Nikibii Dawadinna Giigwag (Anishinaabemowin for “Flooded Valley Healing”) is an Indigenous youth program that involves Elder-led teachings, summer employment opportunities, and mentorship in environmental fields. This program engages youth in the realization of Indigenous place-keeping projects including medicine gardens, urban agriculture, ecological restoration, food forests, and seed keeping. |
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| Project Name | Impact | Service Area |
|---|---|---|
| Black Environmental Initiative: Beyond Provision Grounds | Beyond Provision Grounds is a youth-led urban greening and environmental education initiative. Black Environmental Initiative will plant native trees and shrubs in areas with low canopy cover while providing hands-on training on planting and stewardship to the community. This project aims to increase canopy cover, build community connections, and increase equitable access to green infrastructure. |
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| Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF): Toronto Community Housing Tree Planting and Stewardship Program | LEAF is working with Toronto Community Housing (TCH) to increase canopy cover and biodiversity on TCH properties while fostering a culture of environmental stewardship. TCH tenants and staff are engaged throughout the planning process to select planting sites and tree species. Once planted, TCH tenants are provided with hands-on tree stewardship training and establish tree care teams who will commit to the maintenance of the new trees. |
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| Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests: Young Urban Forest Leaders Program | The Young Urban Forest Leaders Program is a mentorship and training program aimed at providing youth with valuable experience in the fields of arboriculture, urban forestry, and community engagement. Program participants will identify opportunities for tree planting and stewardship in their neighbourhoods and collaborate with local community groups to plan and undertake outreach and engagement activities. |
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| Long Branch Neighbourhood Association: South Etobicoke Grows to 40 Per Cent | Long Branch Neighbourhood Association (LBNA) will identify planting sites in Long Branch and surrounding South Etobicoke communities, distribute free trees and shrubs to residents to plant on private property, and will promote tree health and care through community events and workshops. LBNA will work with residents, students, and volunteers to educate property owners on how they can help enhance the urban forest. |
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| Regenesis York: Campus Forestry Student Planting Initiative | The Campus Forestry Student Planting Initiative will engage students in the planting and stewardship of native trees and shrubs across York University, Glendon College and University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies campuses. Student volunteers will learn about native species, ecosystem benefits, proper planting techniques, and will contribute towards the ongoing stewardship of the new plantings. |
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| Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA): Toronto Tree Cover Project | TRCA’s Toronto Tree Cover Project is an ongoing project that focuses on increasing the canopy cover in Toronto by encouraging community members and property owners to plant native trees and shrubs on private land. The TRCA is actively increasing Toronto’s canopy by planting on residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional lands. These programs allow participants to help make their communities greener and learn about urban forests and tree stewardship. |
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Environment, Climate and Forestry collects personal information under the legal authority of Toronto City Council Item 2025.IE21.5, as confirmed by the City of Toronto By-law 490-2025. The information will be used to send content/updates related to the Urban Forestry Grants and Incentives Program. Questions about this collection can be directed to the Supervisor, Strategic Tree Planting Projects, 18 Dyas Road, 4th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M3B 1V5 or by telephone at (416) 392-4401.