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, all on a first-come, first-served basis. We're 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.
What You Need to Know
- The online reservation form will open on Wednesday, March 20 at 11:00 am, offering a selection of ten (10) different tree varieties. Residents can indicate their top three (3) preferences and we will do our best to match you with your preferred tree(s).
- Each household may order up to two (2) trees, delivered directly to your home in April—just in time for planting season.
- Join the community effort on social media! Share a photo of your planted tree using #PlantingOurRoots and tag @CityofDeltaBC on Instagram or @CityofDeltaBC on Facebook to enter a draw for a chance to win a Delta Prize Pack.
How to Get Your Free Tree
Mark your calendar! The reservation form launches on Wednesday, March 20 at 11:00 am. Be one of the first to secure your trees.
Take Your Pick
Choose a tree that's right for you! Make sure to do your research beforehand to ensure your tree thrives in the correct environment.
Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry
A great small tree prized for its abundance of showy white flowers in spring and consistently beautiful fall colors; an excellent three-season shade tree for small landscapes.
Greensleeves Dogwood
A small deciduous tree with a long season of interest. In early summer, a profusion of large, broad, white bracts open with green highlights and gradually change to a creamy white.
Saratoga Maidenhair Tree
A truly elegant variety with the most unique elongated pendulous leaves; stunning pyramidal form and consistent golden fall color, desirable males do not produce fruit; a great choice for home landscape use.
Elizabeth Magnolia
A hybrid magnolia selected for its lemon yellow cup-shaped blooms in spring; neat habit of growth and large, coarse leaves, will grow to become quite a tall tree, leave adequate room; an excellent specimen tree for average sized yards.
Gravenstein Apple
A large sized apple that is yellow-green, streaked with red; an excellent dessert or cooking apple; needs a second pollinator; ideal for home landscapes, needs well-drained soil and full sun.
Royal Raindrops Crabapple
Bright pinkish red flowers combine with deep purple cutleaf foliage to present a stunning crabtree; excellent upright form, branching and density; demonstrates great resistance to the common diseases.
Ruby Vase Ironwood
A spectacular variety with a very neat, vase shaped habit of growth; foliage emerges burgundy, and holds tints of red through summer; fall colors ranging from yellow to orange to red, holding late into fall; very adaptable to diverse conditions.
Skinny Genes Oak
An impressive tall tree with a columnar, tightly fastigiate habit of growth and yellow to tawny yellow fall color; ideal for formal screening, or as a vertical accent in the landscape; glossy, dark green summer foliage is mildew resistant.
Japanese Stewartia
An incredible accent tree with magnificent mottled bark in cream, brown and tan, stunning in winter; showy large white flowers with orange centers in early summer; needs organic, acidic soil and protection from drying winds, a rather sensitive plant.
Shawnee Brave Bald Cypress
Primarily valued in the landscape for its rigidly columnar form. It has emerald green deciduous foliage. The ferny bipinnately compound leaves turn an outstanding orange in the fall. The shaggy antique red bark adds an interesting dimension.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who to Contact
If you have questions about the Planting Our Roots project, please contact our Urban Forestry/Horticulture Superintendent, Richard Fristak, via email or call 604-952-3454.