Branching out tree program
Trees are an intrinsic part to the quality of life in Calgary. They provide a myriad of environmental benefits. They also contribute to positive mental wellbeing. Trees help us connect with our communities.
Calgary’s tree canopy coverage is currently at 8.25%, this includes trees planted on both public and private property. The City is working to grow and expand our tree canopy coverage to 16%.
You can help through the annual Branching Out program. Trees are provided at no cost by the City of Calgary.
Branching Out 2025 – Registration dates and important information
Please ensure you complete the Right Tree, Right Location e-learning module before registration opens for your quadrant as the registration form will require you to confirm that you have completed the training.
2025 registration dates
On the date and time registration opens for your quadrant, a registration form will become live on this webpage.
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• S.W. Calgary registration opens Monday, April 7 at 10 a.m.
• S.E. Calgary registration opens Monday, April 14 at 10 a.m.
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• N.E. Calgary registration opens Monday, April 21 at 10 a.m.
• N.W. Calgary registration opens Monday, April 28 at 10 a.m.
E-Learning Module
Right Tree, Right Location
Want to plant a tree? Here's where to start: learn about tree types that work for you, choose the right location - and plant it safely in your yard.
Important information – Please read!
To help ensure a smooth registration and tree pick-up process, please carefully read all of the info below.
- Only submit one registration form per address but you can request up to two trees.
- Once your registration is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email detailing the tree(s) you requested along with an assigned date and time to pick up your tree(s).
- Please bring the confirmation email with you when you come to pick up your tree(s) (either printed or on your phone).
- Please have the first and last name of the person who registered for the tree ready to help us find your information.
- You must pick up your tree(s) on the date and time outlined in your confirmation email. We only have a specific number of each type of tree available each day and your tree(s) may not be available if you do not come on your assigned date.
- If you are not able to pick up your tree(s) on your assigned date, someone else can pick up the tree(s) for you. They will need to bring a copy of the confirmation email and have the first and last name of the person who registered for the tree.
- We will provide free mulch for collection – Please bring your own bucket, tote or other container and we will help you collect some mulch for your tree.
2025 tree pickup dates & locations
After you register for your tree(s), you will be assigned one of the dates and times below to pick up your tree. Your pickup date and time will be included in the confirmation email you receive after you register.
N.E. and N.W. addresses
Pick up location: Whitehorn Transit Station Parking Lot
(3914 34th St. N.E.)
- Saturday, May 31, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Sunday, June 1, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
S.E. and S.W. addresses
Pick up location: Douglas Glen Transit Station Parking Lot
(11411 29th St. S.E.)
- Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Sunday, June 8, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
We will only have a specific number of each type of tree available each day. If you do not come on the date and time specified in your confirmation email, your chosen tree(s) may not be available.
*Please note: We do not deliver the trees. Trees must be picked up as outlined above.
General registration information
- This year we have 5000 trees to provide but this program is extremely popular. Trees are provided on a first come, first served basis when you register and will likely go very quickly once registration opens.
- Once a tree type is no longer available it will be automatically removed from the species list on the form.
- Registering does not guarantee receiving a tree.
- The tree requested as part of an application may be substituted for a similar tree and the exact tree provided will depend on our tree supplier’s stock.
- Once we have approximately received more applications than trees available in each quadrant the form will no longer be accessible.
- We do not plant the trees for you. You will learn tree planting basics when you complete the Right Tree, Right Location e-learning module.
- Once you have planted your tree(s), please submit a photo along with the location of your tree(s) through the 311 mobile app or 311 webpage to confirm it is planted. Your photo will not be publicized and will be used to geo-reference the tree(s) location only.
Thank you for partnering with The City of Calgary and providing your land to help grow Calgary’s tree canopy for the benefit of all citizens.
Species available for the 2025 program (subject to availability)
Canopy
- Bur Oak
- Prairie Reflection Willow
- Dropmore Linden
- Weeping Cutleaf Birch
- Quaking/ Trembling Aspen
Conifer
- Mountain Pine
- Ponderosa Pine
Edible (i.e. Fruit bearing)
- Honeycrisp Apple
- Evans Sour Cherry
- Golden Spice Pear
Ornamental
- Black Hawk Mountain Ash
- Showy Mountain Ash
- Ivory Japanese Tree Lilac
- Silver Cloud Maple
- Hot Wings Tatarian Maple
- Autumn Blaze Maple
- Radiant Flowering Crabapple
- Spring Snow Crabapple
- Thunderchild Flowering Crabapple
- Courageous Crabapple
- Starlite Flowering Crabapple
- Gladiator Rosybloom Crabapple
- Ming Cherry
Underground utilities
Remember to 'dial/click before you dig' a hole to plant your tree. A locate request will show you where utilities are located. Contact Utility Safety Partners by calling 1-800-242-3447 or online at utilitysafety.ca.
Tree planting & watering tips
Tips on how to use mulch, compost and tree watering donut bag when planting your tree:
- Dig a hole in the chosen place in your yard; Mix the compost into the soil you’ve removed from the hole.
- Put your tree in the hole and add in the soil and compost mixture.
- Add mulch away from the trunk around the tree in a donut shape. See Water’s Little Helper: Mulch for more info on how to properly use mulch.
- Place your tree watering donut bag around the tree trunk and fill it with water once a week.
Efficient watering tips
Tips on how to efficiently water a newly planted tree:
- If the soil is wet from recent rain, water is unnecessary for a few days until things dry out.
- In the first year, water a newly planted tree 60 - 80L total each week split over 1 - 2 times; in the second year, water 60 - 80L total every 1 - 2 weeks split over 1 - 2 times; in years 3 - 5, water 60 - 80L total every 2 - 4 weeks split over 1 - 2 times. Each time you water, this would look like filling approximately ¼ of a bathtub.
- Use a watering donut or bag to help keep track of how much you’re watering. Fill donut/bag once a week; once filled, water will slowly drain out into the soil, targeting water to the roots of a tree, reducing water loss due to evaporation and helping to minimize overwatering.
- Ensure soil drains and becomes fairly dry between waterings to let it breathe with the atmosphere and restore oxygen. Placing mulch directly on top of soil is a great addition to help prevent water waste through evaporation losses and improving soil health.
- Only water in spring, summer and fall when the ground is not frozen.
- If there are outdoor water restrictions, prioritize watering trees instead of grass.
Click here for more information on caring for your trees.
Click to enlarge image
Planting trees during water restrictions
While we don't know where the drought dial will land throughout the year, it is still important to plant new trees and use efficient watering methods to help them establish, even if outdoor water restrictions are in place.
Did you know…
- As hotter temperatures become a seasonal norm, trees provide shade, reduce the heat island effect, and cool our environment through the release of water vapour back into the air, reducing temperatures.
- Additionally, they sequester carbon as they grow and mature, and support Calgary’s biodiversity. A healthy canopy provides many climate-positive benefits including improved air quality, reduced stormwater runoff, and soil erosion prevention.
- It takes about 5 years of watering to establish a newly planted tree. On average container trees, which are the type of trees provided for Branching Out, require approximately the equivalent of 1L of water per day over those 5 years. As a comparison, a high-efficiency toilet uses at least 3L of water every flush.
- The water usage for each tree is very low when considering the long-term climate-positive benefits provided by a healthy tree canopy.