collage of newly planted tree (left), LEAF staff posing with two new cedars (middle) and potted shrubs and trees (right)

Growing Toronto’s Urban Forest Where It’s Needed Most

Tree canopy is not evenly distributed across Toronto. Many low-income communities often have fewer trees, which means hotter streets, fewer health benefits and less protection from the impacts of climate change.

Trees play a critical role in cooling our communities, improving air quality, supporting mental and physical health and making neighbourhoods more resilient. As Toronto continues to experience the impacts of climate change, ensuring equitable access to these benefits is more important than ever.

Free Trees & Shrubs for Eligible Properties

With support from our partners, LEAF is carrying out a 3-year initiative to increase tree planting and grow the urban forest in low-canopy, equity-deserving Toronto neighbourhoods.

Low-canopy means neighbourhoods with less than 28.4% tree cover, which is the city-wide average based on the most recent data.

Equity-deserving is determined using City of Toronto data to identify neighbourhoods facing the most inequitable (unnecessary, unfair and unjust) outcomes in five key areas: economic opportunities, social development, healthy lives, participation in decision-making and physical surroundings.

By prioritizing these areas, we’re working to grow trees where they can make the greatest impact.

Who Is Eligible?
 

Planting is available for most private property types, whether residential or commercial/institutional. Enter your address in the map below –if your address falls within the highlighted area, you qualify!

Click on the magnifying glass icon in the map to enter your address.

What’s Included?
 

Residential Private Properties:

  • Up to one free tree OR two free cedars OR one free pair of pawpaw trees per property per year (space permitting)

    AND

  • Up to three free shrubs per property per year (space permitting)

Multi-Unit, Commercial & Institutional Private Properties:

  • Up to two free trees OR four free cedars per property per year (space permitting)

    AND

  • Up to five free shrubs per property per year (space permitting)

*Please note that this incentive cannot be used to fulfil a City of Toronto tree permit replanting requirement.

How to Apply
 

  1. Check Your Eligibility

    Enter your address into the map above. If it falls within the highlighted area, you qualify!

  2. Decide What Program is Right for You

    We offer a range of options, from full-service tree planting to delivery right to your door. Please take a few moments to review our program offerings here.

  3. Apply

    Navigate to our Planting on Private Property page here. Click on the program that you think works best for you and submit an application. If you’re still not sure which program is right for you, reach out to us and we’ll help you navigate the rest!

 

Learn more about Tree Equity

Tree equity goes beyond simply planting more trees. It means making sure all communities, regardless of race or income, have access to the many benefits trees provide. You can learn more about Tree Equity here. 
 

Supporting Partners

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