Do-It-Yourself Backyard Tree Planting

Six Easy Steps

1. Review our policies and program details to determine if the DIY program is right for you.
2. Watch our "Assess Your Yard" video which will help you determine your site conditions.
3. Complete our online application to let us know what you're looking for.
4. Enjoy your 30-minute virtual consultation with one of our arborists who will assess your property’s soil, sunlight and space conditions using aerial imagery and help you select the best species and planting locations. At the end of the consultation, you make full payment for your trees and shrubs!
5. Let LEAF deliver your items! We will contact you at least two days prior to your delivery date.
6. Plant and care for your trees and shrubs and enjoy the benefits of a greener space!

Planting to Fulfill a Tree Removal Permit

While LEAF frequently works with clients who are required to plant a tree as a condition of a tree removal permit, it is important to note that LEAF tree sizes, planting seasons and species offerings may differ from those outlined in those permits. Most permit officers are familiar with the LEAF program, however, we recommend reviewing the following points with them to see if they are willing to make accommodations for trees planted/delivered by LEAF:

Tree Size

Most permits include a required size of tree to be planted, typically measured by caliper, or diameter of the trunk, in millimeters (e.g., 50mm caliper tree). LEAF trees are measured in height, not caliper or trunk diameter, and are typically smaller than most permit requirements. We recommend getting verbal or written approval from your permit officer for this to ensure a tree planted through LEAF will fulfill your permit requirements.

Deadlines

Most permits include a planting deadline. LEAF is unable to take scheduling requests and your planting/delivery date can happen at any point during our planting/delivery season. This typically means anytime between April and June 30th for our spring season and anytime between September and November 30th for our fall season. The LEAF program is first come, first served, so your planting/delivery season will depend on the timing of your consultation and our inventory availability at that time. Therefore, we recommend contacting us well before your permit deadline, as you may need a deadline extension from your permit officer to accommodate your planting/delivery season with LEAF.

Species Requirement

Most permits require a specific tree species (e.g., a sugar maple) to be planted. During your consultation however, LEAF will recommend species that suit your property conditions, which may not match your required planting species. We recommend asking your permit officer for flexibility to allow you to plant a large or medium native shade tree rather than a specific species.

Before we can conduct your consultation, your tree must be removed and permission from permit officers regarding tree size, deadlines and species requirements (as described above) must be confirmed.

Please note: The City of Markham does not accept LEAF trees to fulfill plantings required as a condition of a tree removal permit.

During Your Virtual Consultation

Virtual consultations are carried out year-round. The consultation is 30 minutes and will be scheduled during working hours on a weekday. A limited number of evening and weekend appointments are also available. Instructions on how to log-on to the easy-to-use screen-sharing application will be emailed to you prior to your consultation. You’ll need access to a computer and internet connection. During your virtual consultation, your arborist will:

• Assess your soil, sunlight and available space;
• Assist you in selecting appropriate species and planting locations;
• Talk with you about proper care and maintenance for your new trees and shrubs;
• Request payment;
• Finalize the siting form that outlines the planting locations in detail, as well as the species selected for each location. The siting form will also act as your receipt.

Ordering

Your arborist will take payment in full for your order at the end of your virtual consultation. LEAF accepts payment by credit card. Payment must be made in full before delivery occurs.

If for any reason you decide not to purchase a tree at the time of the virtual consultation, there is a $50 (+HST) charge for the virtual consultation. Your virtual consultation is valid for one year, so if you decide to purchase a tree(s) following your virtual consultation, the $50 (+HST) fee will be deducted from the cost of your order, provided no species changes have been made.

If you decide to order only shrubs and/or cedars at the end of your consultation, the cost of these will be in addition to the $50 (+HST) you’ve already paid. The cost of the virtual consultation will only be deducted from your total when you order a tree.

Cancellations and Order Changes

• After species selections are confirmed and payment is made, any changes to your order must be approved by an arborist and a $20 administrative fee may apply.
• If you wish to postpone your paid order to a later delivery season, there is a deferral charge of 25% of the cost of the order.
• If you wish to cancel a paid order, we keep the consultation fee ($50 +HST), as well as 25% of the cost of the remaining order. We will refund the rest using the original payment method.

Delivery

Depending on when your order is placed, we will deliver your trees and shrubs in either our spring or fall delivery season. Spring delivery begins in April and continues through to the end of June. Fall delivery begins in September and continues through to the end of November. Your delivery could take place at any point during these three-month periods.

We will notify you two business days prior to your delivery date, but unfortunately cannot provide you with a specific time of day. To maintain efficient delivery routes, we are unable to accommodate any scheduling requests. You do not need to be present/on site on the day of delivery, as long as we have access to your property. This means that any gates must be left unlocked all day.

We will leave your trees and shrubs with mulch in a secure location, and you will receive our Planting and Care Guide via email. Please carefully follow the Planting and Care Guide - you will need to follow the instructions in order for our guarantee to apply.

Trees and shrubs should be planted as soon as possible; however, if you are unable to plant them right away, be sure to water them every day until they are planted as the pots can dry out very quickly!

Your Commitment to Care

Getting the right species in the right place is the first important step to success. Following planting, proper care is essential for your new trees and shrubs to thrive! Therefore, in the first two years after planting, you will need to:

1. Water your trees and shrubs twice per week using approximately six gallons of water per item each time. That is the equivalent of using three full watering cans twice per week or using a hose with no nozzle on a very slow trickle for approximately 15 minutes twice per week. Avoid using a sprinkler as overhead watering can create favourable environments for fungal disease.
2. Replenish the wood chip mulch at the base of your trees and shrubs in a donut shape, making sure it does not touch the trunk/stem.
3. Protect your trees and shrubs from lawn mower, weed-whacker and animal damage - this can be fatal.

Refer to the Tree Care section of our site for more details.