Thousands of trees handed out at city's free giveaway program

Calgary's tree canopy got greener on Saturday, June 13, as thousands of young trees were given out to residents through the city's Branching Out Tree Program.

The giveaway held its third weekend at the Douglas Glen Park & Ride lot for southeast Calgary residents. "We provide 10,000 trees to Calgarians in a bid to help increase our tree canopy from just under 10 per cent to 16 per cent," said Alan Joiner, superintendent with City of Calgary Urban Forestry.

Thirteen tree varieties were available, selected for their ability to thrive in Calgary and their availability from suppliers. "We had to make sure we could provide the 10,000 trees, so we went with 13 species that the supplier had enough of," Joiner said. "There were some options available such as fruit trees, but they didn't have enough of them."

Resident Michelle Conger, who has seen aging trees dying near the Bow River in her Douglas Glen neighbourhood, welcomed the initiative. "Trees are expensive, so for the city to offer free trees, so that we can help expand the canopy, absolutely," she said.

Her husband Greg emphasized the broader benefit: "I think it's not only important for not only shade and beauty of the landscape, but for us it's blocking certain areas, it's good for the environment, so we have to start planting more trees. And you don't want to live in a concrete city, you want the beauty of the trees growing all around you."

The city is rewriting its Urban Forestry Strategic Plan, and residents can weigh in at calgary.ca/urbanforestplan.