Vancouver gives away 250 trees to increase canopy

“Today’s changing climate has created an increasingly challenging environment for people and trees in Vancouver. Planting and caring for trees on their property is one of the most important things a person can do to help support their community and environment through weather extremes; bringing shade in the summer and providing windbreaks in winter,” said Joe McLeod, manager of urban forestry.

“Branch Out is a unique opportunity for the community to join us on the journey to increase essential forest canopy and support climate resilience in the city.”

“Planting and caring for trees on their property is one of the most important things a person can do to help support their community and environment through weather extremes”

The park board cautions that anyone interested in receiving a free tree should ensure that they own their property, or have permission from their landlord, to plant a tree in their yard. As trees are a long-term investment, residents wishing to take part should be prepared to care for the young tree as it becomes established, including watering, trimming and mulching, to ensure it has the best possible chance of growing into a mature tree.

Increasing canopy coverage is a key goal of the Urban Forestry Strategy: a long-term vision to protect, expand, and manage trees to create a diverse, resilient, and beautiful urban forest on public and private lands across Vancouver.

Through efforts like this initiative, annual tree planting and replacing aging trees on city boulevards, the urban forestry team are working to expand urban canopy cover in the city from 23 per cent to 30 per cent by 2050. An update on the strategy is due this spring.

Sunset neighbourhood is in south-central Vancouver, east of Langara Golf Course, and slopes from the Mountain View cemetery down to the Fraser River.

Victoria-Fraserview is on Vancouver’s south slope to the Fraser River, between the Knight St Bridge and Killarney.