British Columbia

Vancouver selling trees for $10 for Tree Week

The City of Vancouver wants homeowners to consider planting a tree in their yard to improve the region’s canopy cover.

The campaign is part of the city's efforts to improve canopy cover in Vancouver

Arborists say potential tree-owners should take into account their available space and the size of the tree when mature before buying one. (De Agostini/Getty Images)

The City of Vancouver wants homeowners to consider planting a tree in their yard to improve the region's canopy cover.

Trees are going for $10 a pop this week and the city says it will have staff available at events to match people's lifestyles to various trees, depending on their care requirements.

"The whole idea of the tree-lationship was to help people match their personality type with a tree," said David Tracey, executive director of tree city.

He is partnering with Vancouver Park Board for Tree week, which runs from April 2 to April 9.

Vancouver's trees provide cover for about 18 percent of Vancouver, which is down from more than 20 per cent two decades ago, according to Tracey.

People can buy trees from the city at vancouver.ca/treeweek.

How to pick a tree

The most important thing to keep in mind when buying a tree is considering existing conditions on your property.

People can make note of which direction your yard is facing, for instance.

"Some trees want more sun than others," said Tracey.

In addition, plan ahead for the next couple of decades, because looks can be deceiving when it comes to young trees.

"Think of the mature size of the tree, you don't want to put a large growing tree in a small space."

With files from CBC Radio's The Early Edition


To listen to the full interview, click the link labelled: $10 trees from City of Vancouver