Request to Plant Program

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Application Intake Open

We are now accepting applications for the 2026 Request to Plant program. To request an application form, please email: communityforestry@edmonton.ca.

The Request to Plant program is a City of Edmonton initiative which works to preserve and expand the urban forest through partnerships with community groups, individual residents, and local businesses.

The program offers 2 options for Edmontonians interested in planting trees on public property:

Supply and Plant a Tree Yourself Make a Monetary Donation

Urban Forestry will accept a total of 20 requests to plant applications each year. Applications are considered for review on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Supply and Plant a Tree Yourself

tree planted on City property

Donors will work closely with a Program Coordinator to ensure all approvals are in place before planting a tree on City owned land. The applicant may be required to:

Submit a planting proposal
Obtain letters of consent from surrounding residents
Have valid locates at the time of planting
Sign a Maintenance Agreement for the duration of tree establishment
Cost: The donor is responsible for the cost of the tree, mulch, stake and soil.
Tax Receipts: The City does not provide tax receipts when donors supply and plant a tree on City property.

Application Submission and Guidelines

Citizens interested in planting a tree on public property are required to submit an application form to be reviewed by an Urban Forester.

An application form can be requested by emailing communityforestry@edmonton.ca and require the applicant to provide:

The proposed number of trees they would like to plant
The planting locations and tree species

Application Review

Once the application has been submitted, an Program Coordinator will contact the applicant and may request:

A planting plan that includes a map/drawing indicating the tree planting locations and distances from surrounding infrastructure.
Signed letter(s) of consent from all immediately adjacent landowners to where the tree planting is proposed.
A utility locate request from Alberta One-Call and DigShaw. The locate should be valid at the time of the planting. Trees shall not be planted within 1 metre of any underground utility.

Application Assessment

When planting requests are made, an Urban Forester must assess the feasibility of the overall project and site.

The Program Coordinator will work closely with the applicant and consider the following guidelines when reviewing the proposed application:

Boulevard tree planting requests will not be considered for the program.
The suitability of tree species to proposed planting location(s), including future size, spacing, water requirements, and soil requirements.
Ensure the tree species requested are not considered invasive or short-lived.
Proposed plantings that are an extension of private property will not be considered due to potential encroachment issues.
Plantings that block sightlines of traffic signs and intersections will not be approved.
Proposed plantings that are immediately adjacent to property lines will not be authorized.
Plantings must be congruent with the existing design and plant selection of the area and must be designed to contribute to the enhancement of the public space.
Boulevard tree planting requests will not be considered for the program.
Access for City equipment will be assessed for future maintenance practices such as mowing, watering and pruning.
New tree installations must occur on City owned land. Community Forestry is unable to plant a new tree within community league envelopes or on school board property.
Approved trees will be planted in accordance with the City’s Landscape Design and Construction Standards.
The City will complete a tree inspection to ensure plant material meets minimum size requirements. The inspection process will also evaluate tree health, structure, and form. Deciduous trees must be a minimum of 6 centimetre caliper. Coniferous trees must be over 2.0 metres in height.

Once the planting proposal is reviewed, the Urban Forester will circulate the plan to stakeholders to ensure there are no future plans for developments at the proposed site. This process could take up to 6 weeks.

Approval and Implementation

If the project is approved through the circulation process, the donor will be responsible for implementing the planting plan.

All Request to Plant trees must be planted in accordance to the City’s Design and Construction Standards and the donor will be required to sign a Maintenance Agreement with the City which states:

The applicant will be responsible for obtaining and funding the cost of supplies including trees, mulch, stakes and soil.
The applicant is responsible for tree maintenance and must keep a written record of all tree maintenance activities until the tree is accepted into the City’s tree inventory. Maintenance includes watering, fertilizing and controlling weeds (the use of herbicides and pesticides is prohibited).
The City may terminate the agreement immediately upon written notice to the citizen.

Acceptance into City Inventory

If the newly planted tree does not meet City specifications at the end of the maintenance period, the City can request that the citizen restore the area to the original site conditions.

Once the duration of the Maintenance Agreement is complete, and if the tree passes the inspection process, it will be accepted into the City inventory. At this time:

The tree will become the responsibility of the City. All future maintenance, such as watering, pruning and replacement, will be completed by the City
Should a situation arise where the tree is in conflict with repair or maintenance of public property, the City reserves the right to remove any planted material
The citizen will no longer complete any form of maintenance on the tree

Make a Monetary Donation

trees on City property

Donors can make a monetary donation of $1,000 to have a tree planted on City owned land. Donors may be required to:

Submit a planting proposal
Obtain letters of permission from surrounding residents, where applicable.

Depending on the tree species, the Community Forestry team will cover the costs associated with tree establishment for the first 3-5 years.

Note: Official tax receipts may be issued by the City for eligible monetary donations.

Application Submission and Guidelines

Citizens interested in planting trees on public property by making a monetary donation are required to submit an application form.

Application forms can be requested by emailing communityforestry@edmonton.ca and will ask the applicant to provide:

The monetary contribution amount and the number of donors involved in contributing to the request to plant application
The proposed tree planting location
The type of tree species they would like the City to plant on their behalf

Additional Requests

Once the application has been submitted, an Program Coordinator will contact the applicant and may request the following depending on the scope of the project:

A planting plan that includes a map/drawing indicating the tree planting locations and distances from surrounding infrastructure
Signed letter(s) of consent from all immediately adjacent landowners to where the tree planting is proposed

Application Assessment and Approval

A Program Coordinator will review your application and assess the feasibility of the overall project and site. They will consider the following guidelines when planting on public property:

The suitability of tree species to proposed planting location including future size, spacing, water requirements, and soil requirements
Ensure the tree species requested are not considered invasive or short-lived
Proposed plantings that are an extension of private property will not be considered due to potential encroachment issues
Plantings that block sightlines of traffic signs and intersections will not be approved
Proposed plantings that are immediately adjacent to property lines will not be authorized
Plantings must be congruent with the existing design and plant selection of the area and must be designed to contribute to the enhancement of the public space
Boulevard tree planting requests will not be considered for the program
Access for City equipment will be assessed for future maintenance practices such as mowing, watering and pruning
Approved trees will be planted in accordance with the City’s Landscape Design and Construction Standards

Approval and Implementation

If the proposal is approved, the Community Forestry team will be responsible for implementing the planting plan and arranging to have a contractor complete the tree planting on public property.

All new tree installations will be planted in accordance with the City’s Design and Construction Standards and must fall within the parameters outlined under the Corporate Tree Management Policy. The following will be required prior to planting:

The plan will be reviewed by a Program Coordinator and circulated to stakeholders to ensure there are no future plans for developments at the proposed site. This process could take up to 6 weeks.
The Program Coordinator will request a utility locate from Alberta One-Call and DigShaw. The locate must be valid at the time of the planting. Trees shall not be planted within 1 metre of any underground utility.
Monetary donation amount paid in full to the City of Edmonton.

Acceptance into City Inventory

After the planting phase, the City will oversee the inspection and ongoing watering, pruning and replacement of the new trees. They will also be added to the City’s inventory for future maintenance.

The City will be responsible for covering the costs associated with tree establishment for five years.
Residents and community groups do not need to maintain the trees.
The City may remove trees if they conflict with repair or maintenance of public property.

Examples of Trees Planted

Sugar Maple Tree
Dropmore Linden Tree
Bur Oak
Dropmore Linden
Snow Crabapple
Courageous Flowering Crabapple

Grow Together Program

The Grow Together program offers communities the opportunity to partner with the Community Forestry team to plant new trees in their neighbourhood.

Commemorative Trees

Honour loved ones or celebrate special occasions through a commemorative plaque and pedestal displayed near a newly planted tree in the City’s parks and open spaces.

Tree Donation Program

The Tree Donation program is a City of Edmonton initiative which works to preserve and expand the urban forest through partnerships with community groups and individual residents.

Registered Tree Planting Program

An educational and fun experience facilitated by our Program Leaders. All plant material, shovels and gloves are provided by Root for Trees.

Drop-In Tree Planting Program

Root for Trees offers public drop-in planting and stewardship volunteer opportunities with no registration required.

The Canopy Newsletter

Receive program updates, fun facts about trees, and interesting nature-themed activities to do around Edmonton.

Root for Trees

Root for Trees is the City of Edmonton's volunteer tree-planting initiative! This initiative increases tree and shrub planting throughout the city with the help of corporations, local businesses, community groups, teams, families and individual residents.

Naturalization

Learn about the benefits and stages of naturalization and what areas of the city are currently being naturalized.

Free Mulch

The City of Edmonton has a free mulch program for local and disease free wood chips.

Contact Us

Community Forestry

Telephone	In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
Online	Contact 311 Online

Email	communityforestry@edmonton.ca