The City of Calgary plans to increase the city’s urban tree canopy coverage by providing 10,000 free trees for Calgarians to plant on their property via the Branching Out 2026 tree program, with registrations starting on Tuesday.
The program aims to help cool open spaces in Calgary over the summer, lower erosion, improve air and water quality, and enhance biodiversity.
Registration will open on a per-quadrant basis throughout the month, with registration for northwest Calgary opening on Tuesday at 10 a.m., followed by the northeast on April 14, the southeast on April 21, and the southwest on April 28.
Tree selection is limited, and the city outlines that registration does not guarantee receiving a tree.
After completing the city’s Right Tree, Right Location online learning module, Calgarians can submit one registration per address and request up to two free trees.
All trees must be planted on the registrants private property, and the city will not plant the tree for any applicants.
Pick up dates and times will vary for the city’s north and south.
For addresses in north Calgary, pickups will take place at the Whitehorn Transit Station Parking lot along 3914 34th St. N.E., with the northwest pickup dates set for May 30 and 31, and northwest pickup dates set for June 6 and 7.
South Calgary addresses will take place at the Douglas Glen Transit Station Parking lot along 11411 29th St. S.E., with southeast pickups on June 13 and 14, followed by southwest pickups on June 20 and 21.
On pickup day, all trees will be in a five-gallon pot, with heights varying by tree type. Free mulch will also be available while supplies last, and Calgarians are asked to bring their own container for collection.
Some varieties of crab apple trees will be available in the Branching Out program this year.
Any trees that are not picked up will be offered to the public on a first come, first served basis.
In 2024, Calgary’s tree canopy coverage was measures to be 9.62 per cent, consisting of trees in public and private spaces.
Through the initiative, the city hopes to expand the coverage to 16 per cent by 2060.
For this year’s initiative, the number of available trees for the program has doubled due to the popularity of the program.
More than 10 types of trees available
Trees available through the program vary by species and include Bur Oak, Linden, Sensation Maple and Trembling Aspen. The conifer tree selection includes Austrian Pine, Larch and Ponderosa Pine. Ornamental tree options are Dakota Pinnacle Birch, Gladiator Crabapple, Radiant Flowering Crabapple, Spring Snow Crabapple, Tatarian Maple and Tree Lilac.
Trees are limited to availability, and trees requested through the application may be substituted depending on the supplier’s stock.
Information regarding proper planting, maintenance, watering, and “dial/click before you dig” resources can be found on the City of Calgary website.
Alongside Branching Out, the city is also offering a rain barrel rebate program for Calgarians, delivered through Green Calgary.
Applications for the rain barrel rebate are open until Oct. 31, which offers a flat $50 amount for all eligible rain barrels, regardless of size. A maximum of three rebates are available per household.
A total of 3,500 rebates are available, and are on a first come, first served basis, while funding lasts.
For more information regarding registering for Branching out or the rain barrel rebate, Calgarians can visit Calgary.ca.