The City of Calgary is adding 10,000 new entries to its rapidly-expanding tree canopy. The city announced in a media release that its Branching Out tree partnership program will wrap up next weekend, with 10,000 trees finding new homes across the city. The program provides trees to homeowners who provide land and commit to caring for the tree throughout its lifetime. Registration took place in April, with the city’s four quadrants each being assigned a specific number of trees. The northwest and southwest were allocated 2,000 apiece, while the northeast and southeast each received 3,000 trees. First launched in 2019, when the city distributed 500 trees, the city has grown the program every year since. Last year, 5,000 trees were distributed in record time, prompting the city to double its allotment in 2026 to 10,000 trees. “Even with the increase, registrations filled quickly, demonstrating the continued enthusiasm Calgarians have for growing Calgary’s urban forest,” said the city’s urban forestry superintendant for Calgary Parks and Open Spaces Alan Joiner. “We really want to see everyone who wants a tree, get a tree so we will continue exploring ways to improve the registration process for next year.” Staff are present onsite during weekend pickups, helping provide information on planting and watering and helping residents load mulch, which is available at each pickup station. The final weekend to pickup your trees is June 20 and 21, when southwest residents will receive their trees. The city said “[tree] canopy is all the leaves and branches from trees across the city (including on streets, in parks and in people’s yards) that together provide shade and cooling, clean the air, support wildlife and improve our well-being.” The city is inviting Calgarians to “share their ideas on how the city can support more tree planting on private property.” Feedback can be submitted until June 26 here. Unclaimed trees will be handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis at 3 p.m. on Sunday of every pickup weekend. More information here.
