Residential Tree Planting Program

Beginning in 2021, the Town of Stratford is piloting a Residential Tree Planting Program to help residents plant one large, good-quality, native species tree in their front yard. The program will accommodate up to 50 interested residents in the first year, who must apply and meet the program criteria.

The goals of the program are:

• to help residents access low cost, good-quality, locally sourced native trees
• to assist residents in properly planting a tree on their property
• to encourage residents to plant trees and gain an appreciation for the urban forest
• to increase Stratford’s tree canopy, particularly along streets, and enhance the urban forest

Here’s how the program works:

1. If you own a residential property in Stratford you can apply to the program using the form below. Before filling out the application please ensure you meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Your property must not already have trees in the front yard (the yard parallel to the street)
2. There must be enough space to plant a tree in your front yard on your property (not in the right-of-way)
3. You must be the owner of the property for which you are applying
   

2. Once you have submitted your application, the Town’s Environmental Sustainability Coordinator will contact you to let you know whether you are eligible for the program. If there are over 50 eligible applicants, participants will be selected on a first-come-first-served basis.

3. The Environmental Sustainability Coordinator will meet with you for a site visit to confirm the location of the tree and the species. At this time a $50.00 fee is required.

4. You will be required to dig the hole for the tree, and then Town staff will deliver and plant your tree.

5. Once the tree is planted you must water the tree for a minimum of two years.

Application

Please submit your form by email to:

[email protected], by mail to 234 Shakespeare Drive, Stratford C1B 2V8, or in person at the Stratford Town Centre.

Applicants will be contacted in March.

Available Species

The following is a list of available species (dependent on nursery availability):