![\"Text](\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/a\/assets\/texttospeech.svg\")
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Hundreds of Londoners packed the grounds around the Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre on Wednesday, hoping to get their hands on free trees from the city\u2019s annual Earth Day giveaway.<\/p>\n
A line of cars and trucks stretched for blocks, with residents arriving early to claim some of the more than 2,000 trees available. <\/p>\n
“It’s a great investment in your property, trees increase your property value and they bring so much joy to your yard,” said Timea Filer, the City of London’s manager of urban forestry. <\/p>\n
“They’re great for wildlife, and they have all sorts of great benefits. It’s not difficult to plant a tree; it’s as easy as digging a hole, giving it some water, mulching it, and just caring for it as it establishes. And one day you’ll have a big healthy tree in your yard to enjoy for the long term.” <\/p>\n
![\"Timea](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776885371_330_default.jpg\")
Timea Filer, left, and Kat Hodgins, London’s manager of forestry operations. (Alessio Donnini\/CBC News)<\/p>\n
This year’s celebration is extra special because the City of London has been declared the 2026 Forest Capital of Canada by the Canadian Institute of Forestry. <\/p>\n
“This is really important for the City of London. It’s the first year a municipality has been named the Forest Capital of Canada. It recognizes communities that show leadership in forest conservation and forest management in particular,” said Filer.<\/p>\n
LISTEN | CBC London Morning at the Earth Day tree giveaway:<\/p>\n
London Morning5:48London’s free tree giveaway for Earth Day<\/p>\n
CBC’s Alessio Donnini got in line early at London’s Earth Day tree giveaway and spoke to Timea Filer, the manager of urban forestry at the City of London about this year’s offerings.<\/p>\n
“It means that we’ll be celebrating all year and we have all sorts of events, workshops and in the fall we’ll celebrate National Forest Week.” <\/p>\n
The event, which includes expert staff on site to help people pick from the selection guides being handed out and answer any questions, was scheduled to run until 7 p.m. <\/p>\n
Still, Filer said trees were flying off the lot as soon as the event began at 8 a.m.<\/p>\n
“I don’t know if we’ll make it to seven,” she said.<\/p>\n
![\"Tammy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776885372_567_default.jpg\")
Tammy Pulinec, left, and her daughter Amber pose for a photo with Gerry Dertinger, whom they met while waiting to get their hands on free trees, Wednesday. (Alessio Donnini\/CBC News)<\/p>\n
Tammy Pulinec and her daughter Amber were among the first to arrive to pick up trees. When they saw the long line of cars, they decided to join the giveaway on foot.<\/p>\n
“This event is really important. I get to bring my daughter out, and people who don’t have the means to get trees they they want have an opportunity. Trees are pretty expensive,” Pulinec said.<\/p>\n
At the top of the duo’s wishlist were new additions for their backyard orchard, including a cherry tree.<\/p>\n
“When we get the trees we’ve got to bring them home, and then we get to eat the apples from them,” Amber said, adding that she eats “a lot of apples.”<\/p>\n
![\"City](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776885373_634_default.jpg\")
City employees help Londoners load trees into their vehicles, Wednesday. (Alessio Donnini\/CBC News)<\/p>\n
Gerry Dertinger, who was also in line, said he was there to find fruit trees for his daughter who lives in north London.<\/p>\n
“I grew up on a farm in Norfolk County, and I live in a wood lot there. We have all sorts of native species, and that’s what we’re after,” he said. “I convinced my daughter a dogwood tree would be a nice, easy tree to get going on her property.”<\/p>\n
Wednesday’s spring tree giveaway won’t be the only one this year, Filer said.<\/p>\n
“We’re making plans for the fall as well,” she said. “Keep an eye on our website for more information.”<\/p>\n
![\"Trees](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776885373_966_default.jpg\")
Trees lining the lot outside of the community centre just before the giveaway began on Wednesday. (Alessio Donnini\/CBC News)<\/p>\n