2026 Earth Week Giveaway - Day 1 (7 Tree Species)

Welcome to the City of Burlington's Earth Week Giveaway!

NEW FOR THIS YEAR: SHRUBS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE - SEE DAY 2 OF THIS GIVEAWAY (A SEPARATE EVENTBRITE EVENT)!

*** REGISTRATION OPENS MONDAY, March 23rd, 2026 AT NOON! ***

Participating in the City of Burlington’s Earth Week Tree and Shrub Giveaway is as easy as choose it, load it, grow it.

Choose it: To ensure the long-term health of your new tree or shrub, please select a plant that suits your property's conditions and landscaping plans.

Load it: Arrive between the hours of 4pm -7pm and have your tree or shrub loaded into your car for you.

Grow it: Drive away and plant your new tree or shrub!

Note that we will not be giving away unclaimed trees or shrubs at the end of these giveaways. We have spring planting events that will benefit from whatever stock is left.

Please pick up your tree at Roads, Parks and Forestry yard parking lot:

831 Cumberland Avenue, Burlington, ON, L7N 3J7

This giveaway is eligible to Burlington residents only. Trees and shrubs are to be planted on private property ONLY. All plants planted on municipal lands have very strict requirements to ensure safety, so any Giveaway plantings on municipal lands in contravention of the city’s planting criteria will be removed.

Trees will be in 3-gallon pots with a height range of 40 – 200 cm. This size can be accomodated in most vehicles. Shrubs will be in 2-gallon pots with a height range of 25 - 100 cm. Please prepare your vehicle for pick up by ensuring:

• Back seat is down

• Vehicle is ready for the tree to be loaded in by forestry staff. Please do not exit your vehicle to assist

• Please also remember to bring a tarp if you have one to help keep the tree/shrub and your vehicle protected.

The tree or shrub can ONLY be picked up on its specific day of the giveaway. No plants will be held for alternate pick up. Come by any time between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. of the same day to claim the tree or shrub for which you registered.

You must bring your registration confirmation and QR code either printed or electronically to pick up the tree. If you are picking up for someone else, please ensure you have their QR code or registration confirmation with you.

Please see the agenda below for a schedule of the species available and a brief description of their space, light, and soil requirements.

For more information about these species and other native trees, you can consult Ontario’s Tree Atlas https://www.ontario.ca/page/tree-atlas/ontario-southwest (Southwest region). For more information about these shrubs and other native plants, you can consult CanPlant’s native plant database https://networkofnature.org/species/

Info: Size: Reaches ~40 m in height at maturity. Soil: grows best in rich soils away from salt and road pollution. Shade: full to partial sun (at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day). White pine is the official tree of Ontario.

Info: Size: Reaches ~35 m height at maturity. Soil: best grown in sand and sandy loam. Shade: full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day).

Info: Size: Reaches ~25 m in height at maturity . Soil: very tolerant of many conditions. Shade: Prefers full sun but can tolerate shade.

Info: Size: Reaches ~20 m in height at maturity. Soil: Adaptable to many soil conditions but prefers moist locations. Shade: full sun. This is a conifer that loses its needles after they turn a brilliant yellow in the fall. The soft short needles re-grow every spring.

Info: Size: ~12m in height at maturity. Soil: Moist, well drained soil, can tolerate alkaline and dry sites but does not do well with salt or pollution, should be planted away from busy roads. Shade: grows well in all conditions, from shade to full sun.

Info: Size: Reaches ~9 m in height at maturity. Soil: Moist well drained soil, can tolerate alkaline, and clay soils. Shade: Partial sun/shade (4-6 hours direct sunlight per day).

Info: Size: Reaches ~22 m height at maturity. Soil: Adaptable to many soil conditions. Shade: Full sun. Black cherry has small white flowers in spring and small dark cherries in late summer.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

831 Cumberland Ave, 831 Cumberland Avenue, Burlington, Canada

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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