If you received a door hanger at your home, the road right-of-way next to your property has been chosen as one of the 500 locations where we will plant a tree. If you have questions or do not want us to plant a tree, please contact 311 by Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. 

Saddle Ridge is a community that has been identified as having a supply of public (City) land that lies along the front or side edge of a property and is suitable for planting trees. This available land is typically known as the “road right-of-way”.

In determining the pilot community, we looked at communities in the N.E. with lower canopy cover (as we’re working toward a more equitable distribution of trees across Calgary), lower counts of public trees per hectare and space to increase the tree canopy within the road right-of-way.

Yes, anyone who does not want a tree next to their property can opt out from receiving a tree and we will plant it elsewhere in the community. To opt out, please contact 311 by Sunday, Sept. 1. We will then reassign the tree to another location.

Citizens who are interested in having a tree planted on their property in the future can contact 311 to let us know. We will use this data to help us determine where and how to expand the program going forward. 

When considering where to plant the trees we looked for road right-of-way land that had enough space for a tree to grow, has suitable soil and does not have underground utilities that prevent us from planting. 

We will be planting 500 container trees. 

The trees will be planted mid-September. 

We are hand-planting the trees and it will take about two hours to plant each tree. 

The main work citizens will see leading up to the trees being planted is spray marking for utility line locates, which will take place about two weeks before planting. 

No, we will take care of planting, adding mulch, pruning and watering the tree. However, if you would like to help us water the tree, we would love your help! 

Reminder: During Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions, you may only water trees using non-potable water (such as rainwater collected in rain barrels or grey water collected at the beginning of showers and baths).

• If the soil around the tree is wet from recent rain, water is unnecessary for a few days until things dry out.
• We will provide a watering donut for each tree. Fill the donut/bag once a week; once filled, water will slowly drain out into the soil, targeting water to the roots of the 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.
• Only water in spring, summer and fall when the ground is not frozen.

Reminder: During Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions, you may only water trees using non-potable water (such as rainwater collected in rain barrels or grey water collected at the beginning of showers and baths).

• Don’t use weed killer or dump household waste near the tree.
• Don’t tie or tack anything to the tree.
• Protect the tree from damage by cars, lawnmowers and weed trimmers.
• Don’t prune the tree; The City will take care of pruning the tree. 

If the new tree doesn’t seem to be doing well, please let us know by contacting 311. 

Planting time in the community will be minimal and the community will have an additional 500 trees that, when they grow to maturity, will give the benefits of an increased urban tree canopy cover.

No, we will not damage any private property and if homeowners do not want a tree planted in the public right-of-way next to their property, they can opt out from getting a tree by contacting 311 by Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024.