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.
How to Get Your Free Tree
Starting Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 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.
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.
EH Wilson Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin)
Attractive airy foliage and open umbrella-like form make this a highly desired tree that casts light shade; this variety has improved hardiness; interesting and graceful pink fuzzy flowers are fragrant and will scent the air.
Desert King Fig (Ficus carica)
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.
Pink Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)
An ideal accent tree for smaller home landscapes, features extremely fragrant star-shaped light pink flowers in early spring with numerous petals, upright and multi-stemmed; quite hardy, although flowers may be occasionally lost to late spring frosts.
Saratoga Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
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.
Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry (Amelanchier)
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.
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
A spectacular spring bloomer, with very showy pink to purple flowers held tightly on bare branches in early spring; somewhat coarse heart-shaped leaves; rivals any small ornamental tree for specimen use in the home landscape.
Samaritan Chinese Dogwood (Cornus kousa)
A truly beautiful specimen tree, with showy green and white variegated foliage, one of the best; red fruit in fall and an upward habit of growth; very particular as to siting, requires rich, well-drained acidic soil and adequate precipitation.
Liberty Apple (Malus)
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.
Snowcone Japanese Snowbell (Styrax japonicus)
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.
Korean Evodia (Tetradium daniellii)
A medium sized tree with lateral branching; a magnet for bees and other pollinators; pretty clusters of white flowers in summer followed by clusters of reddish-brown fruits that turn purple black; an interesting accent tree.
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.