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. Now in our second year, 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, April 7, 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 2025 are not eligible to receive a tree in spring 2026.
- 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.
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.
Blagon Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba 'Blagon')
A true 150 million year old relic with distinctive fan-shaped leaves; this variety features a narrowly conical to columnar habit of growth and radiant golden yellow fall color; does not produce fruit; an excellent articulation tree for smaller landscapes.
Blue Totem Spruce (Picea pungens 'Blue Totem')
An unmistakable tree, featuring bright blue-green needles on a narrowly upright and columnar form, branches forking upwards at a sharp angle; best used as an accent, for adding dynamic interest to smaller home landscapes.
Celestial Flowering Dogwood (Cornus x 'Rutdan' Celestial)
Beautiful, white star-like bracts cover this small broadly spreading ornamental tree with layered branches; bracts are rounded compared to the species, starts flowering a few days after other varieties have stopped; produces no fruit.
Emperor I Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Wolff')
A fast-growing small home landscape feature tree that commands a premiere location in the front yard; enduring royal purple foliage all season long and turning fiery red and orange in fall; wonderfully artistic growth habit.
Galaxy Magnolia (Magnolia 'Galaxy')
A can't-miss accent tree for home landscapes, smothered in large purple-pink flowers in mid-spring; a tidy tree the rest of the year with a rounded pyramid shape and a strong central leader, good for shade in the front yard.
Honeycrisp Apple (Malus 'Honeycrisp')
An exceedingly crisp hardy red apple with a sweet and juicy flavor, keeps extremely well; eating apples are high maintenance and need a second pollinator; the perfect combination of accent and fruit tree, needs well-drained soil and full sun.
Seneca European Plum (Prunus domestica ‘Seneca’)
This European variety produces extra large plums with firm, sweet, fine-textured flesh. Fruit resists cracking, holding well on the tree, and ripens over an extended period. Excellent for eating, cooking, drying and canning. Good black knot resistance.
Spring Showers Japanese Snowbell (Styrax japonicus 'Spring Showers')
A dainty small accent tree, featuring prolific white bell-shaped flowers which hang loosely from its upright branches in spring; bud break occurs two to three weeks later than typical, making this selection great for areas subject to late spring freezes.
Tupelo Tower Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica 'WFH1')
A beautiful native variety producing foliage that matures to a glossy dark green, then fiery scarlet, orange, and yellow in fall; columnar habit with strong branching.
Wells Special Hinoki Falsecypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Wells Special')
A tall, narrow version of the species; with attractive medium green foliage; dense evergreen; a better choice than the species for the typical home landscape.
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.