City-Wide Tree Distribution

In Spring 2026, the City will offer 2,400 free trees on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration will open in two stages to prioritize planting where it is needed most, based on the City’s Tree Equity Analysis.

  • March 2: Registration opens for residents in wards that contain a Priority Area for Tree Planting. This includes Wards 7, 10, 11, 14, 16, 18, 24.
  • March 9: Registration opens to residents from all wards across Ottawa.

Steps to Participate:

  • Step 1. Register to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria to receive one free tree (first come, first served, one tree per planting address).
  • Step 2. Choose from 16 different tree species, each approximately 1.5 - 2 metres tall.
  • Step 3. Choose from one of four different Tree Distribution Event locations in Ottawa to pick up your tree. Book a pick up time.
  • Step 4. Complete your order to pick up your tree at the in-person Tree Distribution Event in May/June 2026.
  • Step 5. Pick up your tree and plant it at home!
Click here to register!

Eligibility Requirements for City-Wide Tree Distribution stream

To participate in the Tree Distribution stream, the following conditions apply:

  • The planting address must be an Ottawa residential property
  • Trees may not be used to meet a planting condition of a development, tree removal permit, or other legal requirement
  • Residents who participated in 2025 are eligible to participate again in 2026. Residents may participate once per year and receive one tree per year per planting address.

Participants must:

  • Be the property owner or have permission from the property owner to plant a tree on the property
  • Have a suitable planting site on their property, which:
    • has at least 3m x 3m of soft ground space
    • is at least 4.5m from buildings and foundations
    • is at least 1.5m from hard surfaces (like paved areas or decks)
    • is at least 4.5m from other trees
  • Use information provided to select the best tree species for their planting site (shade, surrounding area, etc.)
  • Contact Ontario One Call to get public buried cables, pipes, and wires located before digging
  • Identify any privately buried cables/wires/lines or utilities that you or previous property owners may have installed (e.g. backyard lighting, irrigation systems or pool lines)
  • Pick up their tree at the specified Tree Distribution Event
  • Plant the tree at the approved planting address in a timely manner
  • Follow the planting guidelines provided to plant their own trees
  • Agree to follow instructions provided for proper tree care and maintenance
  • Agree to follow-up communications and provide basic information on tree health and survival.

Please note that trees are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

We will do our best to provide your chosen tree species. Availability is dependent on tree stock, health, and other factors beyond our control, and a substitute species may be offered if there are any issues with the original tree species ordered. You will be notified if the tree you ordered is not available and an alternative is being offered.

You can feel confident knowing your tree has been inspected for health and vigor. Plant Your Place! is not responsible for the health, survival, or ongoing care of the tree after it has been provided to the participant. Please refer to the instructions provided for how to properly plant and care for your tree.

Watering is crucial to ensuring its healthy growth and establishment. The Plant Your Place! program will not be able to provide a replacement guarantee for the tree.

Full-Service Tree Planting

In 2026, the City will offer 100 trees, along with site visits and professional planting free of charge to Ottawa residents living in the City’s Priority Areas for Tree Planting, as identified through the City of Ottawa’s Tree Equity Analysis.

  • April 8: Registration opens for residents in the four Priority Areas identified for short term action.
    • When booking a site visit, all planting addresses will be automatically verified to confirm that they fall within an eligible Priority Area
  • May 4: Remaining spots, if available, will be open to residents in the other four Priority Areas.

Steps to Participate:

  • Step 1: Register
    • Register to ensure you meet eligibility criteria to receive a free site visit, tree, and professional planting (first-come, first-served).
  • Step 2: Book site visit
    • Priority access is given to residents in the four short-term Priority Areas. Participants will book their site visits online.
  • Step 3: Site Visit & Recommendation (Summer 2026)
    • A forestry professional visits your property to assess conditions and recommend suitable tree species and planting locations.
  • Step 4: Tree Planting (Fall 2026)
    • An approved tree is professionally planted at no cost on your property.
Click here to register! 

Eligibility Requirements for Full-Service Tree Planting stream

To participate in the Full-Service Tree Planting stream, the following conditions apply:

  • Planting addresses must be residential properties located within one of the City of Ottawa’s Priority Areas.
  • Trees may not be used to meet a planting condition of a development, tree removal permit, or other legal requirement
  • Residents who take part in the Tree Distribution stream may also register for the Full-Service stream if they live in a Priority Area and meet all eligibility criteria.
  • Residents in the four Priority Areas identified for Short Term action will be prioritized. Residents in the four remaining Priority Areas are eligible to participate if trees are still available.

Participants must:

  • Register with a planting address located within one of the City’s identified Priority Areas
    • Planting addresses will be verified before booking a site visit
  • Be the property owner or have permission from the property owner to plant a tree on the property
  • Have a space that may be suitable for tree planting (approximately 3m x 3m of soft ground space recommended). If the available planting area is smaller than this, the site may be deemed unsuitable for tree planting.
  • Be on site and provide access to the yard for a free site assessment conducted by a forestry professional
  • Provide access to the yard for public utility locates through Ontario One Call
    • Locate requests will be submitted on the participant’s behalf, and utility companies may visit the property to mark underground infrastructure
  • Disclose any privately buried utilities, such as irrigation systems, pool lines, or backyard lighting, that may be present on the property
  • Provide access to the property for tree planting
  • Provide access to a water source for watering the tree when it is planted
  • Commit to ongoing tree care and maintenance
  • Participate in follow-up communications and provide basic updates on the tree’s health and survival.

Please note that spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

You can feel confident knowing your tree has been inspected for health and vigor. Plant Your Place! is not responsible for the health, survival, or ongoing care of the tree after it has been planted. Please refer to the instructions provided for how to properly care for your tree.

Watering is crucial to ensuring its healthy growth and establishment. The Plant Your Place! program will not be able to provide a replacement guarantee for the tree.

Accessibility Accommodations

If you require accessibility accommodations to participate, please let us know
by contacting:

plantyourplace@envirocentre.ca
613-656-0100 ext. 7

Support for New Tree Owners

All participants, no matter which stream they join, will receive information to help care for their tree and support long-term growth and survival.

Growing Ottawa’s Urban Forest

Plant Your Place! supports the goals of the City of Ottawa’s Urban Forest Management Plan, working toward an urban forest that is healthy, diverse, resilient, and always growing.

Plant Your Place is designed and delivered in partnership with EnviroCentre.