The City is investing in tree planting and stewardship on private land to help enhance and expand our urban forest, and to improve the health of the environment. With some of the greatest potential on private land, everyone’s help is needed to reach our 40 per cent canopy cover target.
These programs support partnerships and collaborations with homeowners, landowners and not-for-profit organizations that advance the City’s strategic priorities to invest in people and neighbourhoods, and to tackle climate change and build resilience.
See the table below for a list of upcoming events this spring. Please note: Community Canopy will not be running this spring, please check back here in August for fall giveaway opportunities.
| Date & Time | Event | Location | Details & Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, April 22, 2025
10 a.m. to noon |
Wincott Park Earth Day Tree Planting and Giveaway Event | Wincott Park 86 Northcrest Rd |
The City will be joining the Earth Day Planting Event at Wincott Park with a limited number of trees and shrubs to give away.
Registration for this tree giveaway is not required. Tree giveaway is first-come, first-served while supplies last and is limited to two trees/shrubs per household. Trees and shrubs from the giveaway must be planted on private property within the City of Toronto. Event details can be found on the Festivals and Events calendar. |
| Saturday, May 24, 2025
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
Spring Bird Festival | Colonel Samuel Smith Park 3145 Lake Shore Blvd W |
The City will be joining the Spring Bird Festival with a limited number of trees and shrubs to give away.
Registration for this tree giveaway is not required. Tree giveaway is first-come, first-served while supplies last and is limited to two trees/shrubs per household. Trees and shrubs from the giveaway must be planted on private property within the City of Toronto. Find more details about the Spring Bird Festival. |
| Saturday, June 14, 2025
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
Guildwood Village Neighbourhood Tree, Shrub & Wildflower Giveaway 2025 | Guild Park & Gardens 201 Guildwood Pkwy |
This tree giveaway event will be hosted by the Guildwood Village Community Association.
Pre-registration for this tree and shrub giveaway is required. Register for the Guildwood Village Neighbourhood Tree, Shrub and Wildflower event. |
Planting trees, especially in underserved neighbourhoods, contributes to improving physical and mental health, and mitigating extreme heat, air pollution, and other environmental hazards. Because over 55 per cent of Toronto is privately owned, homeowners, landowners and non-profit organizations are encouraged to participate in tree planting and stewardship efforts on private property.
The City provides grants to support tree planting projects and supplies free native trees and shrubs for community-led tree giveaways and planting events on private land.
Application period opens on May 20, 2025.
The Community Planting and Stewardship Grant supports tree planting and stewardship on private land by non-profit organizations within Toronto.
Download the Community Planting and Stewardship Grant 2025 Guidelines.
Application period opens May 20, 2025.
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.
Application period opens on June 9, 2025.
The Neighbourhood Planting Program supports community-led tree giveaways and planting events through financial support, free native trees and shrubs, and technical support and training.
Download the Neighbourhood Planting Program 2025 Guidelines.
The City of Toronto has partnered with Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF) to offer backyard tree planting services to Toronto residents at a subsidized cost. This includes a full-service option (in-person consultation, delivery and planting) and a do-it-yourself option.
The City of Toronto has partnered with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) as part of the Toronto Tree Cover Project to offer tree planting services to eligible private landowners including industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential landowners on a cost-shared basis. This includes a site visit by TRCA staff, supply, delivery and installation of plant materials for landowners who have space to plant 20+ trees on their property. This service is offered on a first-come, first-served basis while funds are available. Contact TRCA’s Private Land Planting Program for more information.
The City of Toronto has partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to connect Toronto residents with free trees through an innovative online mapping tool that takes the guesswork out of where to plant the tree on a specific property. Through the Community Canopy Program residents will be able to use the software interface to identify the ideal planting location that will maximize the air, water, energy, and carbon benefits of their tree.
From 2017 to 2024, the Urban Forestry Grants and Incentives Program has invested and leveraged a total of more than $22.8 million and funded 226 projects across all 25 wards in Toronto. Together, with the help of our partners, we have been able to plant over 118,000 trees and shrubs on private land and engage over 314,000 people. Our 2020 Impact Report highlights our achievements increasing canopy cover on private land between 2017 to 2020 and showcases the successes of our partnerships and collaborations with our many community partners.
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.
Download the 2024 Urban Forestry Grants and Incentives Impact Report.
Download the previous 2020 Urban Forestry Grants and Incentives Impact Report.
Thirteen projects were selected to receive funding in support of tree planting and stewardship on private land in Toronto.
Over 8200 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.
Centennial College is transforming the main entrance to the Downsview Aerospace Campus along with three other gardens on site. Native tree and shrub species will be planted, and signage will be incorporated to identify species and educate on the importance of urban green spaces. Located in the heart of Downsview Park, these revitalized areas will provide gathering spaces and act as an educational showpiece.
Service Area: Ward 6 – York Centre
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. The project is increasing shade on school properties and increasing access to green space for all students across TDSB schools.
Service Area: Citywide.
The TDSB is ensuring the long-term health and success of trees through education and engagement. This project incorporates an assortment of workshops and classes to teach staff and students about the benefits of trees while also giving students the chance to actively participate in the stewardship of newly planted trees on school grounds.
Service Area: Citywide.
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.
Service Area:
The Community Canopy Program connects Toronto residents with free native trees and shrubs through an innovative online mapping tool that takes the guesswork out of where to plant on a specific property. Residents can use the software interface to identify the ideal planting location that will maximize the air, water, energy, and carbon benefits of their tree.
Service Area: Citywide.
FCP’s Urban Green Initiative aims to expand and enhance the urban forest within Scarborough by planting trees and shrubs on private land. FCP will host community-led tree giveaways, educational workshops on tree stewardship, and hands-on planting events to ensure that trees will survive long-term.
Service Area: Ward 24 – Scarborough-Guildwood
LEAF is working with Toronto Community Housing (TCH) to include communities in the planting and stewardship of native trees on TCH properties. TCH residents 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.
Service Area:
The Young Urban Forest Leaders (YUFL) 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.
Service Area: Citywide.
The Long Branch Neighbourhood Association (LBNA) is working with residents to identify planting sites on private properties in Long Branch and neighbouring communities. They are also working with residents, students, and volunteers to educate property owners on how they can help enhance the urban forest. Native trees and shrubs are being distributed to residents for planting in addition to workshops and community events promoting tree health and care.
Service Area: Ward 3 – Etobicoke-Lakeshore.
The Campus Forestry Student Planting Initiative will focus on building community through enhancing green space on campus and at student housing locations. Students will be engaged to plant native trees and shrubs, learn about native species planting and care, and contribute to the stewardship of these plantings.
Service Area:
The Royal Conservatory of Music is revitalizing the space in front of their historic building through the creation of a Musician Garden. Trees and shrubs will be planted to add green space to the urban landscape and create a welcoming and inclusive gathering space for people to enjoy the intersection of music and nature.
Service Area: Ward 11 – University-Rosedale
TRCA’s Toronto Tree Cover Project is an ongoing project that focuses on increasing the canopy cover in Toronto. They accomplish this 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.
Service Area:
Variety Village is a children’s charity supporting children with disabilities. Project Grow Strong is aimed at continuing to provide equitable and accessible green space for people with disabilities by converting underutilized areas on their property to green space. The community will be engaged in events throughout the year and stewardship opportunities to help care for the newly planted spaces.
Service Area: Ward 20 – Scarborough Southwest.
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