Trees do more than beautify our neighbourhoods; they help clean our air, store carbon, manage rainwater and cool our city. With nearly 40% of Ottawa’s urban land privately owned, residents play a key role in growing the city’s tree canopy.
In 2026, Plant Your Place! returns with an expanded program that will support the planting of approximately 2,500 trees on private land across Ottawa — doubling the number of trees planted in the program’s first year.
Plant Your Place! is a City of Ottawa initiative delivered by EnviroCentre that helps residents plant trees on their property while supporting tree planting in areas with lower canopy cover.
Two ways to plant in 2026
This year’s program will support tree planting through two streams:
City-wide tree distribution – 2,400 trees
Ottawa residents can apply to receive one free tree to plant on their private property. Participants can choose from 16 tree species, typically between 1.5 and 2.5 metres tall, and will receive guidance on selecting, planting and caring for their tree.
Registration will open in two phases:
- March 2, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. – Registration opens for residents in wards containing a Priority Area (Wards 7, 10, 11, 14, 16, 18 and 24)
- March 9, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. – Registration opens city-wide
Trees will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants will pick up their tree at a distribution event and are responsible for planting and caring for it.
Full-service tree planting in priority areas – 100 trees
The program also offers professional site visits and tree planting at no cost for private residential properties located in designated Priority Areas identified through the City of Ottawa’s Tree Equity Score Analysis.
This stream helps reduce barriers to tree planting and ensures that trees are planted where they can have the greatest impact. Professional assessments help ensure the right tree is planted in the right place, giving each tree the best chance to thrive.
Learn more and apply
Ottawa residents interested in receiving a free tree or learning more about the program can visit the Plant Your Place! website for full program details and registration information.
Learn more about the 2026 program and apply: www.plantyourplace.ca
See how the program got started
Plant Your Place! launched in 2025 and successfully supported the planting of more than 1,200 trees across Ottawa. See how Plant Your Place! took root across Ottawa:
Plant Your Place!: Growing Ottawa’s urban forest on private land
How EnviroCentre designed and delivered a free tree planting program for the City of Ottawa.