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.
The City has partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to connect Toronto residents with free native trees and shrubs 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.
Residents can register through the Arbor Day platform and select up to 2 trees or shrubs per household. The trees and shrubs come in 1 to 2 gallon pots and range from 1 to 4 feet in height. The pickup locations for Community Canopy change every season and are distributed throughout the City to ensure equitable access to the event. Trees and shrubs from the Community Canopy program must be planted on privately-owned land such as your front, side, or back yard, within the City of Toronto.
Pick up a free tree or shrub at a Community Canopy event. Pre-registration is required on the Arbor Day Foundation website. To find a location near you, check the list of Tree & Shrub Giveaway Events.
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.
| Event Date & Time | Name of Event | Location | How to Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 6, 2025
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
Community Canopy North | G Ross Lord Park
4801 Dufferin St, North York, ON M3H 5T3 Parking lot across Martin Ross Ave |
Register on the Arbor Day Foundation website. |
| Wednesday, September 10, 2025
4 to 7 p.m. |
Community Canopy South | Rennie Park
1 Rennie Terrace, Toronto, ON M6S 2X2 |
Register on the Arbor Day Foundation website. |
| Saturday, September 13, 2025
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
Dallington Pollinators Neighbourhood Planting Program Giveaway | Dallington Park Community Garden
32 Glentworth Rd, North York, ON M2J 2E7 South of Dallington Public School |
Register using the Dallington Pollinators Google Form. |
| Saturday, September 20, 2025
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
Community Canopy Northeast | Malvern Recreation Centre
30 Sewells Rd, Scarborough, ON M1B 3G5 |
Register on the Arbor Day Foundation website. |
| Tuesday, September 23, 2025
5 to 7 p.m. |
Community Canopy Southwest | Gus Ryder Pool and Health Club
1 Faustina Dr, Etobicoke, ON M8V 3L9 |
Register on the Arbor Day Foundation website. |
| Wednesday, September 24, 2025
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
National Tree Day Pop-Up Giveaway | Amesbury Sports Complex
155 Culford Rd, North York, ON M6M 4K6 |
Pre-registration for this event is not required. Trees and shrubs will be given away to Toronto residents first-come first-served while supplies last. |
| Saturday, October 4, 2025
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
Community Canopy Northwest | Albion Pool and Health Club
1485 Albion Rd, Etobicoke, ON M9V 1B2 |
Register on the Arbor Day Foundation website. |
| Wednesday, October 8, 2025
4 to 7 p.m. |
Community Canopy Southeast | Dentonia Park
93 Dentonia Park Ave, East York, ON M4C 1X1 |
Register on the Arbor Day Foundation website. |
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 and deliver a variety of native trees and shrubs for free to your event. The trees and shrubs will come in 1-2 gallon pots and range from 1-4 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 Fall 2025 Guidelines.
The application period for Spring 2026 events will open January 2026. Please check back here for updates or sign up for our mailing list to be notified.
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.
Applications for 2025 are now closed.
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.
Applications for 2025 are now closed.
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.
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. 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:
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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