Boulevard Trees
The City of St. Catharines plants new boulevard trees to help improve air quality and add economic value, beauty and shade to a neighbourhood.
How to request a new tree
If you are a resident, business or landowner, you can request the City to plant a free tree on the City-owned road allowance or boulevard in front of their property through our Street Tree Planting Program.
To request a new tree, you must:
- View the list of trees approved for boulevard planting;
- Select the type of tree that you would like planted;
- Fill out the request form:
Trees can also be requested by calling 905.688.5600. Please be ready with your name, address, preferred tree type, and contact information.
We recommend selecting different types of trees than your neighbours to support a diverse and healthy urban forest. Having a variety of species helps protect trees from pests and diseases that spread through an area and target specific tree types.
Once you have requested your tree, the City or its contractor, will plant the tree for you.
Deadline for requesting a new tree
The City has a spring planting season which begins in April (weather dependent) and a fall planting season which begins in September (weather dependent). The deadline to request a new tree is:
- Spring: April 1
- Fall: August 30
Please note in some situations you will need to wait until the next planting season for the new tree.
Other recommendations
We may recommend smaller trees if your area has overhead utility lines. This helps to minimize future costs from tree maintenance and creates a healthier urban forest.
In certain locations, we may not be able to plant a tree at all due to space constraints, underground services or overhead utility lines. Staff will advise if this is the case.
Suggest a location for a new tree
Through our Help Us Green Our Streets initiative, you can suggest a street, boulevard or City property that would benefit from a new tree. This will help grow a tree canopy and make our community beautiful by filling out our Green Our Streets request form.
Report a dead tree
To report a dead tree, call Citizen's First by calling 905.688.5600 or send us an email to report a dead tree or request an inspection.
Where we plant new trees
View our Tree Planting List to find where we plant trees within the City. You will find these trees usually on:
- Public boulevards
- Road allowances fronting residences
- Residential areas where trees do not currently exist
How to care for your new tree
To care for your new tree, we recommend:
- Keep lawn mowers and string trimmers away from the trunk to avoid damaging the bark
- Water your tree twice a week during dry periods but do not over water
- Please leave the wood chips in place. Wood chips protect the tree from damage and reduce water loss by allowing water and nutrients to penetrate the soil more easily
- Do not pile soil or grass clippings over the mulch
- If additional mulch is needed, do not mound the mulch towards the trunk like a pyramid
Frequently asked questions
View our frequently asked questions about boulevard trees:
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