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Guelph grows together! Help grow Guelph’s urban tree canopy by planting a native tree in your yard. By planting trees on your property, you play a valuable role in our One Canopy strategy and help us reach our tree canopy cover target of 40% by 2070. To make planting trees as easy, accessible and enjoyable as possible, we give away a limited number of free, native trees to Guelph residents each year.
Community Tree Giveaway
Our annual Community Tree Giveaway has wrapped up for 2026. Stay tuned for information on next year’s event and other tree planting opportunities!
For other stewardship opportunities, including Park Steward and community tree plantings, please email [email protected].
How big and how heavy are the trees when I pick them up?
All trees are in one- or two-gallon containers. A one-gallon container is the size of a small tub of ice cream and a two-gallon container is about the size of a large can of house paint. The height of the trees can range from 60 to 120 centimetres, and the weight can range from 5 to 15 kilograms.
Who will plant my tree?
You are responsible for planting the tree or arranging to have someone plant it for you.
Can I plant my tree in a park or road allowance?
No. These trees are for planting on private land. You must own the property or have permission from the property owner to plant the trees. Unsure where your property lines are? Use this handy map!
What kind of tree should I put in my yard?
There’s lots you can consider when picking a tree for your yard, but we’ve made it as easy as possible by offering exclusively native trees in our giveaways. That means they’re suited for Guelph’s environment and are far more likely to survive and thrive once planted. While the specific species offerings and quantities vary by year, there are always a range of options to pick from (until we’re out of stock).
There are lots of great online tools you can use to help you decide on a tree, like this one from the City of Toronto. If you’re still not sure, reach out to our team at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help. Also, be sure to consider signing up for a free Healthy Landscapes visit for direct consultation on how to turn your yard into a thriving landscape that doesn’t take much time, money or water to maintain.