The City is investing in tree planting and stewardship on private land to expand our urban forest and improve the health of the environment. Over half of the land in Toronto is privately owned, so everyone’s help is needed to reach the City’s 40 per cent canopy cover target. Planting trees, especially in underserved neighbourhoods, improves physical and mental health, and mitigates extreme heat, air pollution and other environmental hazards.
Listed below are City urban forestry grants and incentives to encourage tree planting on private land. 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.
The City has developed the Toronto Free Tree Program (formerly the Community Canopy program) to connect Toronto residents with free native trees and shrubs.
Each spring and fall, Toronto residents can register for the Toronto Free Tree Program and select up to two trees or shrubs per household. 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. If you would like to submit a tree planting request for the City-owned road allowance in front of a home or business, please visit toronto.ca/TreePlanting.
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.
Please check back here for Spring 2026 registration or sign up for our mailing list to be notified.
Our Fall 2025 events have ended. Thank you to all who participated. Please check back here for Spring 2026 event updates or sign up for our mailing list to be notified.
The Neighbourhood Planting Program supports eligible community-based not-for-profit groups to host a tree giveaway or planting event in their neighbourhood.
Through the Neighbourhood Planting Program, the City will select a variety of native tree and shrub species available each season and deliver your requested quantity for free to your event. The trees and shrubs will come in 1 or 2 gallon pots and range from 1 to 4 feet in height, to be planted on private property within the City of Toronto.
Along with free trees and shrubs, free educational materials will be provided. Groups can also apply for financial assistance to purchase materials to help run their event and promote the survival of the new plants.
For more information, download the Neighbourhood Planting Program Spring 2026 Guidelines.
Interested in learning more about the Neighbourhood Planting Program? Register for an information session on January 19, 2026 at 5 p.m.
Apply for the Spring 2026 events from January 12 until February 13, 2026 by 4 p.m.
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.
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 backyard tree planting services to Toronto residents at a subsidized cost. LEAF offers 5 to 8 foot tall native deciduous trees or 2 to 4 foot tall native evergreen trees with either a full-service planting option or a do-it-yourself option.
With 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 is for backyards only and 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 is available for front, side and backyards and costs range from $110 to $180 per tree (+HST).
Whichever option you choose, you will be adding a new native tree to your yard and receiving expert guidance and support for a more affordable price.
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 contact Nathan Hobbs at 416-392-7513.
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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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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