The City of Delta recognizes the important role trees play in our environment and the positive contributions they have on our health. Through the Planting Our Roots project, we aim to empower residents to have a direct impact by greening their surroundings with free trees for you to plant on private property. Supported by Delta Council in July 2023, this project is a key step towards achieving our ambitious goal of a 40% canopy cover, aligning with the Urban Forestry Strategy.
Our mission is to give away 500 trees to Delta residents—250 in the Spring and another 250 in the Fall. We are committed not only to distributing these trees at no cost but also to educating our community on how to select, plant, and care for them, ensuring their healthy growth.
Learn more about Planting Our Roots here:
How to Get Your Free Tree
Starting Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 10:00 am, residents will have the opportunity to complete the reservation form to request a tree. A total of 250 recipients will be randomly selected. Residents can indicate their top tree preferences on the form, and we will do our best to match them with their choices. However, due to availability, they should be prepared to receive a tree that may not be their top pick.
Eligibility Criteria
- There is a limit of one (1) entry per household.
- Residents who received a tree during the Planting Our Roots - Free Tree Giveaway in fall 2025 or spring 2026 are not eligible to receive a tree during this season.
- To receive their tree, recipients must be residents of the City of Delta. Additionally, they must have ample space on their property to plant the tree. Verify your property lines by visiting DeltaMap. Trees accidentally planted on a City-owned boulevard may be subject to relocation or forfeiture.
Take Your Pick
Choose a tree that's right for you! Below, click on a tree's name to find out more about the species and how to care for it. 🍁 Look for the maple leaf icon to identify native varieties! Make sure to do your research beforehand to ensure your tree thrives in the correct environment.
Crested Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica 'Cristata')
A very unique, narrow pyramid-shaped evergreen tree that is famous for its unusual sprays of green foliage that resemble rooster cockscombs; an ideal selection for accent or articulation in the landscape.
Dawyck Purple European Beech (Fagus sylvatica 'Dawyck Purple')
A magnificent, medium-sized, deciduous tree of columnar habit with broadly elliptic, lustrous, dark purple leaves that turn an outstanding coppery-bronze in the fall; the smooth silver bark is extremely showy and adds significant winter interest.
Desert King Fig (Ficus carica 'Desert King')
An attractive, cool region variety producing especially sweet yellowish-green fruit with strawberry red flesh in mid-summer; better withstands late spring frosts; attracts birds; prune in late winter to maintain size and shape.
Dura Heat River Birch (clump) (Betula nigra 'Dura Heat’)
This variety is valued for its stunning bark, with white, brown and tan colors all peeling from mature trunks; multi-trunked form; more heat tolerant than the species; good fall color; requires acidic soil, susceptible to chlorosis in alkaline soils.
Forest Pansy Redbud (Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy')
A spectacular spring bloomer, with very showy pink to purple flowers held tightly on bare branches in early spring; coarse heart-shaped leaves emerge deep purple and stay that way; an incredible color accent tree for specimen use in the home landscape.
🍁 Garry Oak (Quercus garryana)
An exceptional medium to large landscape tree valued for its gnarled branches, wildlife support, and high drought tolerance; slow growing and remains small in shallow soils and rocky sites; British Columbia's only native oak.
Liberty Apple (Malus 'Liberty')
A crisp and juicy red-streaked apple, late harvest, very disease resistant; eating apples are high maintenance and need a second pollinator; an old favorite, the perfect combination of accent and fruit tree, needs well-drained soil and full sun.
Saratoga Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba 'Saratoga')
A truly elegant variety with the most unique elongated pendulous leaves; stunning pyramidal form and consistent golden fall color, does not produce fruit; a great choice for home landscape use.
Snowcone Japanese Snowbell (Styrax japonicus 'Snowcone')
A very uniform and symmetrical small tree, featuring the most delicate white bell-shaped flowers which hang loosely from the upswept, spreading branches in early spring; needs moist, organic soil and some shelter; does well in part shade.
🍁 Vine Maple (Acer circinatum)
This West Coast native makes an exceptional landscape tree for smaller yards and gardens; brilliant fall color; attracts nesting birds; best with some shelter, needs moist soil, water more if grown in full sun.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who to Contact
If you have questions about the Planting Our Roots project, please contact our Urban Forestry Department by calling 604-946-4141.