Residential Tree Planting and Care

Residential Tree Program

Trees on private property provide many benefits to residents, including reducing energy bills through shading from sun and protection from cool winds, reducing air and noise pollution, improving property value, and being aesthetically pleasing. The planting and care of trees on residential properties is also an important part of maintaining and improving Brampton's urban forest.

The One Million Trees Program identifies residential trees planting and care as an important consideration to achieving the goal of planting one million trees by 2040.

The Residential Tree Program will provide resources, opportunities and initiatives that help and encourage residents to plant and care for trees on their properties.

See videos and tips on tree care and planting on your property below.

Brampton Residential Tree Giveaway

The April Residential Tree Giveaway is now closed.

Registration for the September Residential Tree Giveaway will begin September 1.

Contact: bramptongreencity@brampton.ca

Tree Selection:
Residents can select from four tree species (Red Maple, Red Oak, Bur Oak, Ironwood, Blue Beech and White Spruce) and two shrubs species (Nannyberry and Serviceberry). See details of each tree species below.

Trees

Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

Prefers moist, well drained soil
Can grow in shade to full sun
Reaches 30 to 35 metres
Leaves turn red in fall

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Red Oak (Quercus rubra)

Tolerates a variety of moisture levels and soils
Prefers full sun, but can tolerate partial shade
Reaches heights of 20 to 30 metres
Leaves can turn yellow, orange, orange brown, red or reddish brown in fall

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Ironwood (Ostrya virginiana)

Adaptable to a variety of soil types
Thrives in full sun to partial shade
Reaches up to 15 metres in height
Known for its hard, dense wood

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Blue Beech (Carpinus caroliniana)

Prefers moist, acidic soils
Shade tolerant
Grows up to 10 to 15 metres
Distinctive smooth, blue-grey bark

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White Spruce (Picea glauca)

Adapts well to different soil types
Prefers full sun
Can grow up to 25 metres tall
Conical shape with dense, horizontal branches

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Shrubs

Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)

Thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soil
Full sun to partial shade
Typically grows up to 4-12 metres
Produces white flowers in spring and edible berries in summer

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Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago)

Adapts to various soil conditions
Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade
Reaches up to 5 to 9 metres in height
Produces attractive flowers and edible dark blue berries

Learn More

Tree Planting Guide

Provided below are some tips on planting a tree. Check out our tree brochure for more information.

Staking: To stake or not to stake? That is the important question. A stake is usually a piece a wood or other flexible material that is connected to a tree using another material like rope or special wire to provide the tree with support during its initial growing phases. Staking is generally not needed for young trees, but may be helpful in some situations where there are high winds. Staking should only be used when necessary as this artificial support can weaken the tree trunks and result in less developed root systems. In addition, improper staking can damage the new tree and can lead to stunted growth or death. Click here for a more detailed discussion on staking.
What to Plant: When choosing a tree to plant, choose a native species! Native species are already adapted to the local soil and weather conditions. These better adapted trees are hardier, which results in higher less maintenance, disease resistant which requires less pesticide use. Click here for a link to Ontario Tree Atlas which provides a native tree species guide.
When to Plant: As a general rule, trees should be planted in the fall or early spring, because the weather conditions are milder which make it easier for plants to establish their roots.
Digging: Before you dig, contact Ontario One Call. The first step of digging a whole to receive your tree is to understand how deep to dig. The trunk flare (where the trunk expands at the base of the tree) should be partially visible after planting. The width of the hole should also be 2-3 times wider than the tree’s root ball to allow the roots to spread out. The hole should also be a little less deep at the centre so that the water can drain toward the root tips. Click here to view a more detailed Tree Planting Instructional Diagram.
Where to Plant: When choosing a location to plant, consider the eventual size and needs of your tree(s). Find out the eventual size of your tree to allow for it to grow to its full height and width, and for the root system to expand outwards. The type of tree you choose should also depend on the moisture, light exposure, and soil of the sight. For example, some trees require full sun, while others do better in areas that receive some shade. You should also contact your Ontario One Call to mark underground utility locations before you conduct any digging to plant your tree.
Where to Get a Tree: The best place to purchase a tree is your local nursey. Property owners can also request to have a free tree planted in front of their property on the public right-of-way. Click here for the Request New/Replacement Tree form.

Provided below are some tree care tips. Check out our tree brochure for more information.

Watering

One of the most common reasons for the poor survival of new trees is inconsistent watering. Watering around the base of your tree ensures the root ball and the surrounding soil is kept moist, which encourages healthy root growth.

Watering Tips

Water newly planted trees at the base, making sure to wet the entire root ball area.
Water the tree as often as twice a week (approximately 35 to 50 litres) during the first growing season.
Young trees (up to two years after planting) should continue to be watered at the base. The watering zone should expand outward as the tree grows.
The soil should remain moist, but not wet to avoid depriving the roots of oxygen.
If you are uncertain as to whether a tree needs watering, dig down 6 to 8 inches at the edge of the planting hole. If the soil at that depth feels powdery or crumbly, the tree needs water. Adequately moistened soil should form a ball when squeezed.
Regular deep soakings are better than frequent light wettings. Moisture should reach a depth of 12 to 18 inches below the soil surface to encourage ideal root growth.

Addressing Damaged Trees or Branches

Damaged trees and fallen branches can be unpredictable. The City of Brampton recommends that residents seek qualified, insured tree care professionals to perform work on branches larger than 15 cm (6 inches) in diameter, or on trees within 4 metres of overhead lines.

Contact us to report City trees that are leaning on private fences, sheds and homes. City staff will then inspect these situations for immediate hazards.

For trees on private property, property owners must seek City approval in order to cut a tree with a trunk diameter larger than 30 cm, and 1.37m from the ground.

Click here for more information about the City’s Tree Preservation By-law.

Things to Avoid

Try to avoid lawn mower damage, root damage, salt, high nitrogen fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides when you are taking care of your new tree. Also, try to avoid putting ornamentation around your tree such as concrete rings; if the tree needs to be removed, this ornamentation may create issues or will be damaged.

Pruning

Pruning is the process of remove unwanted limbs that interfere with the health and safety of your tree. If you are unsure how or what to prune, contact a certified arborist.

Benefits of Pruning

Improve the health and vigour of the tree
Allow more light penetration which encourages photosynthesis
Encourage growth characteristics that accentuate the natural form of the tree
Safety of the person or property (i.e. removal of dead limbs, limbs over houses, lines, branches in front of signs, low branches over sidewalks)

What to Prune

Remove the 3 D's first - Dead, Dying, Diseased wood
Crossing, rubbing and interfering limbs
Limbs that pose a danger to life, limb or property · For more detailed instructions, click here.

If you need your City tree pruned, contact us.

Tree Pests and Disease

Click here to learn more about tree pests and diseases.

Hiring an Arborist

An arborist is a professional tree & shrub expert. Arborists have the knowledge and equipment needed to care for your trees and shrubs. They can determine the type of maintenance necessary to improve the health, appearance, and safety of your trees. If necessary, a professional arborist will use a trained crew with the required safety equipment and liability insurance.

Here’s a checklist of minimum requirements to help hire a professional arborist:

Check for ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) certification.
Ask for proof of up-to-date insurance.
Ask for a list of references, and check them.
Verify that tree services are the primary focus of the company being hired.

Mulching

Mulching is a process of covering plants with “mulches” (leaves, woodchips, etc.), which provides several benefits to newly planted trees.

Benefits of Mulching

retains moisture in the soil
provides extra nutrients for the plants as the mulch decomposes
helps establish young plants
helps keep roots cool and moist in the summer and insulated in the winter
suppresses weeds and competing grasses
provides an important barrier against lawnmowers and string trimmers

Different Types of Mulches

1 year mulches (cocoa bean, mini bark, compost/humus)
2-3 year mulches (shredded/chipped bark, pine needle)
For more information about mulching techniques, click here.