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.
| Date and Time | Event Name | Location | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Community Canopy North Tree Pickup | Cummer Park Community Centre
6000 Leslie St. |
arborday.org/toronto |
| Wednesday, September 20 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. | National Forest Week Tree Giveaway | Ellesmere Community Centre
20 Canadian Rd. |
Walk Up Event, no registration required. |
| Saturday, September 23 from 11 p.m. to 1 p.m. | Community Canopy West Tree Pickup | Fairfield Seniors’ Centre
80 Lothian Ave. |
arborday.org/toronto |
| Saturday, September 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Community Canopy East Tree Pickup | Morningside Park
390 Morningside Ave. Scarborough, ON |
arborday.org/toronto |
| Saturday, October 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Community Canopy South Tree Pickup | Dufferin Grove Park
875 Dufferin St. |
arborday.org/toronto |
Applications closed on August 11, 2023 at 4 p.m.
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 2023 Guidelines.
Applications closed on August 11, 2023 at 4 p.m.
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 2023 Guidelines.
Applications closed on June 23, 2023 at 4 p.m.
The Neighbourhood Planting Program supports community-led tree giveaway and planting events through financial support, free native trees and shrubs, and technical support and training.
Download the Neighbourhood Planting Program 2023 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 2017-2022, the Urban Forestry Grants and Incentives Program has invested and leveraged a total of over $17.5 million and funded 173 projects across all 25 wards in Toronto. Together, with the help of our partners, we were able to plant over 87,000 trees and shrubs on private land and engage over 239,000 people. Our 2020 Impact Report highlights our achievements increasing canopy cover on private land between 2017-2020 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 Janice Lam at 416-394-2772.
Download 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.
Close to 9,000 trees and shrubs will be planted through these projects. They will engage and educate communities through planting events, educational workshops, citizen science, and youth programming.
Sunnybrook is leading the movement towards cultivating healthy greenspaces to support human healing and wellness in a healthcare setting. Native trees and shrubs will be planted, maintained and cared for in addition to educating and engaging the community at Sunnybrook campuses.
Centennial is increasing canopy cover at its Progress Campus by converting an empty grassed area into a more diverse naturalized space. Students and staff will be engaged to remove invasive species before planting native trees and shrubs which will increase campus green space and support urban wildlife and pollinators.
Ward 24 – Scarborough-Guildwood.
Supporting existing tree planting programs, the TDSB will continue to plant native trees on school properties throughout Toronto. TDSB will also provide tree care maintenance to improve the survival rate of new and existing trees with the goal of providing shade and access to green space for all students across TDSB schools.
Citywide.
Seneca is creating a more sustainable and naturalized landscape at its Newnham Campus. Native trees and shrubs will be planted to increase canopy cover and existing lawns will be replaced with native grasses and groundcover to create a more inviting learning environment and reduce Seneca’s overall carbon footprint.
Ward 17 – Don Valley North.
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 and urban forestry. 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.
Citywide.
TRCA’s Toronto Tree Cover Project will engage community members and property owners in planting native trees and shrubs throughout the city to help expand Toronto’s canopy cover. Through a series of planting events and school programming, participants will help make their communities greener and learn about the urban forest and tree stewardship.
Project Universitree will enhance living and study spaces on university campuses and student housing cooperatives across Toronto with native trees and shrubs. Students will come together to plant trees and shrubs, learn about the benefits of growing native species in the urban environment and contribute to the sustainability of their communities.
The Long Branch Neighbourhood Association (LBNA) will identify planting sites for trees and shrubs in Long Branch and neighbouring communities and will work with residents, students and volunteers to educate property owners on how they can help enhance the urban forest. Native trees and shrubs will be distributed for planting while workshops and community events will promote continued tree health and stewardship.
Ward 3 – Etobicoke-Lakeshore.
The Urban Tree from Seed program will engage elementary school students in gathering, preparing and growing local native tree seeds that are adapted to the urban environment right in their schools. Successfully grown trees will be planted on school campuses and distributed back into student communities for planting.
Ward 13 – Toronto-Centre.
LEAF is working with Toronto Community Housing (TCH) to engage communities in the planting and stewardship of native trees on TCH properties. TCH residents and staff will be engaged throughout the planning process to select planting sites and tree species. Tenants will also take part in tree stewardship training and be provided with tree care resources to ensure each tree thrives after planting.
Community Canopy connects Toronto residents with free native trees through an innovative online mapping tool that takes the guesswork out of where to plant the tree on a specific property. 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.
Citywide.
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