Tree pickup takes place Oct. 26 at Lancaster Park
Oct. 7, 2024 – Registration opens this Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 8 a.m. for St. Catharines
residents to reserve a free tree, as part of the City’s 2024 Fall Tree Giveaway.
Residents can select their free tree in advance online, with White spruce, Serviceberry,
White oak, and American hazelnut available. The number of trees is limited, and
varieties are offered on a first-come, first-served basis online. Registration will close as
stock is reserved. Registration officially closes on Oct. 18 at 4 p.m.
Once successfully registered, residents will then have to pick up their tree on Saturday,
Oct. 26 from 8 to 11 a.m. at Lancaster Park, 31 Wood St.
“This popular event is an important part of achieving our goal of increasing the tree
canopy in St. Catharines,” Development Horticultural Technician Mike Kraft said.
“Environmental stewardship is a key pillar of the City’s Strategic Plan and maintaining
and expanding a healthy tree canopy is crucial to that effort. Benefits of a healthy tree
canopy include reduced storm water runoff, cleaner air, and captured greenhouse
gases that contribute to climate change.”
Trees are available to St. Catharines residents only. Proof of residency, such as a
driver’s licence or recent utility bill, will be required at tree pickup. There is a limit of one
tree per household. Households attempting to obtain more than one tree may have all
their requests voided.
Residents who reserve a tree in advance online must present a copy of their QR code,
digital or paper, at time of pickup. QR codes will be emailed to the email address
residents provide on the online request form.
Anyone wanting to pick up a tree for someone who has pre-registered online must also
present their QR code, digital or paper, at time of pickup.
Pickup times for each tree species at Lancaster Park on Oct. 26 are:
• White spruce: 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
• Serviceberry: 8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
• White oak: 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
• American hazelnut: 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Learn more about each tree species and register for a free tree at
stcatharines.ca/TreeGiveaway.
The City’s semi-annual tree giveaways are a key initiative as the City works toward
achieving its target of 25 per cent tree canopy coverage. With limited City-owned land
available for tree planting, the City annually provides 1,000 trees to residents for
planting on private property to help reach our targets. Since 2017, about 7,000 trees
have been planted on private property as a result of the tree giveaways.