The City of Toronto is honouring a Tree of the Year in 2027 to support the goal of planting up to 120,000 trees a year and tree canopy that covers 40 per cent of the city by 2050.
Kids can vote for one of five candidates running for Toronto’s 2027 Tree of the Year during the weekend of advance voting on October 10 and 11. The winning tree will be announced after the October 26 municipal election. Visit Kids Vote Weekend for more information on how to vote, plus resources and activities for parents, caregivers and educators.
The five Tree of the Year candidates are large, native to Toronto and play an important role in our urban tree canopy and can be easily found in parks and forested areas. Learn about the five tree candidates.
The Tree of the Year will be celebrated with a planting event in Elm Park.
The winner will be featured in tree planting events and activities in 2027, including:
More information on planting events and giveaways will be available in early 2027.
If you are unable to attend a planting event or do not have space to plant a tree of your own, you can still see the trees in person. Visit Toronto’s parks and use your identification knowledge to spot your favourite candidate.
A free Tree of the Year will be made available to schools interested in planting a tree on school property. Check back when the winner is announced for more information on how you can request a tree and what you can do to make your tree planting a success.
Trees improve air quality, minimize noise and dust, reduce storm water runoff, and enhance the urban landscape. Trees also provide privacy, shade and reduce heating and cooling costs.
The City plants up to 120,000 trees on City-owned land every year and supports tree planting on private property through the Toronto Free Tree Program, the Neighbourhood Planting Program , Urban Forestry Community Grants and a partnership with Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF).