Protect, Plant, and Promote Ottawa's Tree Canopy!

Our Tree Campaigns are about more than putting trees in the ground. They're also about engaging residents and public organizations to help nurture a greener community, a greener Ottawa, and a greener future together. Our Tree Campaigns are an all-inclusive, inter-generational, community-centred legacy to expand and care for Ottawa’s tree canopy. Together, we can help Ottawa become healthier and more resilient!

About Our Two Tree Giveaway Campaigns

Our Classic Tree Seedling Giveaways

In 2013, Ecology Ottawa began our tree giveaway journey in efforts to reverse canopy lost to the devastating effects of the emerald ash borer. Since then our tree seedling giveaways have become an annual program where we partner with community members, associations, and attend events to distribute seedlings across the city.

Thanks to an anonymous donor and 108 other people who donated in our recent fundraising campaign, we have several classic tree giveaways planned in spring and fall of 2026! For upcoming giveaways, please check our events calendar. If you're interested in co-hosting a giveaway, please fill out this form. And if you have any questions or would like to make a donation to help the program out, please contact [email protected]!

Trees for Today - Sapling Giveaways

In 2026, through the generous support of Canadian Trees for Life, Ecology Ottawa has launched a new tree sapling giveaway program - Trees for Today! This program is designed to complement our established classic tree seedling giveaway program, building on our commitment to increasing tree canopy across Ottawa, especially in low-canopy and otherwise equity deserving neighbourhoods. Through this program, Ecology Ottawa will be partnering with 6 community associations in 2026 to provide 1- and 2-gallon native saplings (approximately ~2-4 ft in height) free of charge to local participants in the community association's neighbourhood. We will be sharing informational materials to help participants select, plant, and care for their trees. In addition, we will expand our follow-up with recipients to monitor tree health and provide guidance that supports long-term success.

Below you will find more information about our tree seedling giveaways, if you would like to learn more about our Trees for Today sapling giveaway program, please click here.

Help strengthen Ottawa's tree canopy!

This essential program helps the community address a diversity of important environmental issues, including mitigating climate change, rebuilding our tree canopy, providing habitat for wildlife, creating shade for residents, and improving air, soil, and water quality in the city.

The seedlings distributed through this program are for individuals to plant on private property. We’ve already worked alongside the City and other partners to ensure seedlings are planted on public lands and rural private property. The next step in recovering from the Emerald Ash Borer crisis is to develop a robust and vibrant urban tree canopy.

How does it work?

We’re teaming up with amazing community partners to offer Tree Giveaways with us across the city. This includes community associations, local businesses, organizations, farmers' markets, schools, and faith-based institutions to provide as many Ottawans as possible with tree seedlings to green up their neighbourhood.

Check out our events calendar to learn where to find us and pick up some free trees! We'll be adding new giveaways all the time, so make sure to check back in regularly!

What trees will we have available?

We to have a variety of trees available, whether with respect to size, soil types, or other conditions, so that as many people can accommodate a tree as possible.

We are proud to source all of the trees we distribute from local suppliers, like the Ferguson Tree Nursery, who only grow native and proven non-invasive naturalized trees, shrubs, and perennials hardy for the south-central and eastern Ontario climate.

*Please note:

The trees available through this program are between 6 and 18 inches tall.
While we can't guarantee which tree species will be available at a given event, we always do our best to bring as many different species as possible to each giveaway
Trees are living things and Mother Nature doesn't always want to follow our schedule; we appreciate your understanding that the trees available through this program are subject to change based on nursery availability

How to get involved?

Here are some ways that you can contribute:

🌳 Interested in co-hosting a Tree Giveaway for your community? Have a local event in your neighbourhood you'd like to pick up a tree at?

Email our Tree Team at [email protected] for more information.

🌳 Want to help us distribute trees? Join our volunteer Tree Team!

🌳 Passionate about helping us distribute more trees across Ottawa?

Make a donation here.

Selecting A Tree

Selecting A Site

Planting A Tree

Ongoing Care

Transplanting A Tree

Tree Nurseries in the Ottawa Region

Click Here to Find a Tree Giveaway Event Near You

By: Angela Keller-Herzog via The Glebe Report

Caring for our existing trees and planting more trees will benefit all of us. Planting native trees, adapted to our local environment, particularly those that are resistant to pests, drought and pollution is always preferred to introduced species that often contribute little to our ecology and the web of life that sustains us.

This document provides a compendium of native tree species that should be planted, ideally in large numbers, to help restore the urban forest.

Native Tree Species Recommended for Planting in the Ottawa Region

Alternate-Leaf Dogwood

(Cornus alternifolia)

The Alternate-Leaf Dogwood is the tallest (almost tree-like) of many attractive native and under-utilized Dogwoods. It is also called Pagoda Dogwood for its attractive horizontal tiers of branches on older trees. Its berries are a favourite food of summer songbirds.

Mature size: Up to 7 m (22 ft) tall, trunk 5-15 cm (2-6 in) in diameter
Moisture: Prefers evenly moist soils
Shade: Prefers partial shade, full sun with ample moisture
Soil: Prefers well-drained, deep soils

Note: To provide understory species like Alternate-Leaf Dogwood with even moisture all year long, mulch well with 8 cm (3 in) of bark mulch, or plant near the sloped edge of a water feature where the roots can access water in the heat of the summer.

Basswood (Tilia americana)

Basswood is a handsome and large shade tree, which should be planted more extensively than it is. Bees love Basswood flowers because they bloom in midsummer, when few other trees are in bloom.

Mature size: 18-21 m (60-70 ft) but up to 35 m (115 ft) tall, trunk 60-75 cm (2-2.5 ft) but up to 120 cm (4 ft) in diameter
Moisture: Prefers moist soils
Shade: Can grow in full shade or full sun
Soil: Prefers rich, well-drained soils

Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis)

Bitternut Hickory resembles an ash tree from a distance and could be a good “ash substitute” now that ashes are disappearing. The nuts, as the name applies, are inedible.

Mature size: 15-20 m (50-66 ft) tall, trunk 30-80 cm (1-2.7 ft) in diameter
Moisture: Prefers moisture
Shade: Prefers sun but can tolerate partial shade
Soil: Prefers rich soil

Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)

Bur Oak has been commonly planted in Ottawa where it achieves massive dimensions due to tolerance of urban conditions and inherent longevity. Mature specimens look rugged from a distance, like “haunted house” trees. It is little affected by air pollution. Bur Oak should be planted more due to its combination of strong wood, urban tolerance and freedom from pests.

Mature size: 15-30 m (50-100 ft) tall, trunk 60-120 cm (2-4 ft) in diameter
Moisture: Tolerates a wide variety of moisture conditions, tolerates drought because its roots grow deep into the ground
Shade: Prefers full sun, but can tolerate moderate shade
Soil: Can grow in a variety of soils

Note: The Bur Oak’s roots grow deep into the soil, so plant it where there are no underground pipes.

Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)

Chokecherry is a small tree or tall shrub with attractive foliage and fruit. It is most noticeable in flower, with many dense, white, elongated clusters of 5-petalled flowers, which then become clusters of round shiny fruits, varying from yellow to red or almost black. The fruit is an important food source for birds. Chokecherry is a good candidate for more extensive planting.

Mature size: Up to 9 m (30 ft) tall, trunk 15 cm (6 in) in diameter
Moisture: Moist to average soils
Shade: Prefers full sun but will tolerate light shade
Soil: Prefers rich, well-drained soils

Note: Chokecherry can be trained as a single-stemmed tree but will often sucker from the roots at the base of the stem. To reduce root suckering, carefully tear the young shoots off with your hands instead of cutting with sharp tools.

Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis)

A native, small, hardy, slow-growing tree. It usually lives for about 200 years but can occasionally live much longer. Found both as tree and hedge row or shelter belt. Dense foliage down to ground level obstructs visibility. Needs protection from soil salt and road salt spray from vehicles.

Mature size: 9-16 m (30-50 ft) tall
Moisture: Prefers moist sites
Shade: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Well-drained clay, sand, loam

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)

Hawthorns are useful for their ability to tolerate dry, windy areas, but due to sharp thorns, are not recommended for schoolyard plantings. The loggerhead shrike, which is critically endangered in Canada, prefers Hawthorn-rich areas as its habitat because of these thorns. Like crabapples, Hawthorn fruits contain high levels of pectin and have been used to make jams and jellies. Hawthorns make good candidates for more extensive planting.

Mature size: Up to 12 m (40 ft) tall, trunk 25-30 cm (10-12 in) in diameter
Moisture: Moist to dry
Shade: Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade
Soil: Adaptable, especially to high pH soils

Hop-hornbeam (also known as Ironwood)

(Ostrya virginiana)

Hop-hornbeam or Ironwood is another relative of the birches. This tree is called Hop-hornbeam because the maturing clusters of fruit look like hops. Hop-Hornbeam is a slow-growing tree adapted to many situations, except on waterlogged soils where the similarly sized Blue-Beech thrives.

Mature size: 7-12 m (25-40 ft) but up to 18 m tall, trunk 15-25 cm (6-10 in) but up to 60 cm (2 ft) in diameter
Moisture: Moist to dry
Shade: Very shade-tolerant but tolerates full sun with ample moisture
Soil: Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soils

Note: If planted in full sun on lighter soils, will benefit from a large ring of bark mulch up to 8 cm (3 in) deep and supplemental watering to prevent leaf scorch in midsummer.

Hornbeam

(Carpinus caroliniana)

The Hornbeam, also known as Blue-Beech, is a relative of the birches and is an attractive understorey tree. Blue Beech is also called Musclewood for its muscle-like ridges on the smooth-gray trunks. Good candidate for planting in shady places.

Mature size: A small tree, seldom more than 6 m (20 ft) tall, trunk up to 25 cm (10 in) in diameter
Moisture: Prefers moist and can tolerate seasonal flooding
Shade: Can tolerate full shade, and full sun with ample moisture
Soil: Prefers rich, well-drained soils

Kentucky Coffee Tree (Gymnocladus dioicus)

A native tree that is adaptable to a wide range of conditions, and tolerates city conditions. Very disease free.

Mature size: 15-25m tall,
Moisture: Adaptable
Shade: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Clay, sand, loam, humus enriched (forest floor)

Mountain Ashes

(Two species: Sorbus decora, Sorbus americana)

Native Mountain Ash species are small northern trees, uncommon near Ottawa (although the non-native European Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia) is common in Ottawa). The fruit is a favourite food for overwintering birds.

Mature size: 3-9 m (10-30 ft) tall, trunk 10-25 cm (4-10 in) in diameter
Moisture: Prefers moist ground, but can survive in dry conditions
Shade: Can tolerate some shade
Soil: Grows in a variety of soils

Red Oak (Quercus rubra)

Red Oak is a large shade tree that can grow well on good soils, while naturally growing in drier upland conditions. The Red Oak needs room to grow – it can tolerate shade when it’s younger, but needs full sun as it gets older. It doesn’t grow very well if it’s close to other trees.

Mature size: 20-30 m (66-100 ft) tall, trunk 30-90 cm (9-27 in) in diameter
Moisture: Can tolerate a variety of moisture levels
Shade: Prefers full sun, but can tolerate some shade
Soil: Grows in a variety of soils

Serviceberries (Amelanchier spp.)

Serviceberries is a group of similar species related to apples (Rose family) and are becoming commonly planted for their tasty and edible fruit. Serviceberries are a very adaptable group of species, attract wildlife and offer beautiful fall colours. Serviceberry fruits were a staple food of the Cree tribes of the Prairies, who mixed the dried berries with buffalo meat to make pemmican.

Mature size: Up to 12 m (40 ft) tall, trunk 7-30 cm (3-12 in) in diameter
Moisture: Moist to dry sites
Shade: Partial shade to full sun
Soil: Adaptable to all but water-logged soils

Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)

The Silver Maple is a large, fast-growing tree and, although naturally a swamp and flood plain specialist, it can grow well on drier sites and tolerate soil compaction. Should not be planted close to foundations. The Silver Maple is very similar to the Red Maple. It’s a large tree, so make sure it will have plenty of room to grow.

Mature size: 24-27 m (80-90 ft) but up to 38 m (125 ft) tall, trunk 90-150 cm (3-5 ft) in diameter
Moisture: Prefers moist soil
Shade: Slightly shade tolerant but prefers full sun
Soil: Prefers rich soil

Striped Maple (Acer pensylvanicum)

The Striped Maple has large, beautiful, distinctive duck-foot-like leaves and striped green-white bark. The leaves turn yellow in the fall. This is a small understorey maple, a bit fussy about soil conditions and growing environment, and well adapted to a cool understorey.

Mature size: 10-13 m (30-40 ft) tall, trunk 25 cm (10 in) in diameter
Moisture: Prefers evenly moist soils
Shade: Prefers full to partial shade, dislikes hot summer sun
Soil: Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soils

White Birch (Betula papyrifera)

White Birch is also known as Paper Birch and Canoe Birch. It is the white-barked native birch of forests near Ottawa. White Birch trees are often used in landscaping because they will grow almost anywhere as long as they get enough sunlight. (Not European Silver Birch which is vulnerable to the Bronze Birch Borer).

Mature size: 25 m (80 ft) tall, trunk is 60 cm (2 ft) in diameter
Moisture: Can tolerate a variety of moisture levels
Shade: Needs full sun, intolerant to shade
Soil: Can tolerate a variety of soils

Note: The non-native European White Birch (Betula pendula) is frequently planted but is very susceptible to the native Bronze Birch Borer.

White Oak (Quercus alba)

The White Oak is a large shade tree with valuable wood, very pale mature bark and edible acorns. It can live for several hundred years. The White Oak is somewhat cold-sensitive yet hardy at Ottawa and, with global warming, this tree makes a good candidate for more extensive planting.

Mature size: 20-30 m (66-100 ft) tall, trunk 50-120 cm (1.7-4 feet) in diameter
Moisture: Tolerates a variety of moisture levels
Shade: Prefers full sun
Soil: Tolerates a variety of soils

Note: With its deep rooting system, it should not be planted close to septic tanks or drainage tiles.

Witch-Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

Witch-Hazel is an attractive small tree, that is notable for flowering in late autumn. It is a good candidate for planting more extensively in Ottawa. Witch-Hazel is somewhat pollution tolerant and relatively trouble-free.

Mature size: 6-7 m (20-25 ft) tall, trunk up to 15 cm (6 in) in diameter
Moisture: Best growth in moist, shaded sites
Shade: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Prefers moist, cool, acidic soil

Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis)

Yellow Birch is an attractive deep-forest species, often growing in association with Beech, Sugar Maple and Eastern Hemlock. It grows slowly and lives about 150 years.

Mature size: 18-22 m (60-75 ft) but occasionally up to 30 m (100 ft) tall, trunk 60 cm (2 ft) but up to 120 cm (4 ft)
Moisture: Prefers moist soil
Shade: Moderately shade-tolerant
Soil: Prefers rich soil

Tree Species List 2021