St. Catharines breaks the ground with free tree giveaway

St. Catharines residents can get a free tree from the City later this month.

The fall tree giveaway is set for the morning of Saturday, Oct. 28 at the  Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre parking lot.

Residents must pre-register for a tree prior to the pick-up date. Online registration opened yesterday (Oct. 16). Residents can visit here to request a tree.

Trees are available to St. Catharines residents only with a limit of one tree per household.

Some 600 trees are available on a first-come, first-served basis through the online orders. Registration will close as stock is reserved. Tree varieties this fall include Eastern redbud, Red cedar, Basswood and American sycamore.

“We are excited to continue this popular event. It’s an important part of achieving our goal of increasing the tree canopy in the city of St. Catharines,” said Development Horticultural Technician Mike Kraft.

“Environmental stewardship is also a key pillar of the City’s strategic plan and maintaining and expanding a healthy tree canopy is a key piece of that. Benefits of a healthy urban canopy include reduced storm water runoff  and capturing greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.”

Curbside pick-up of the trees will happen from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Oct 28 at Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre parking lot (240 St. Paul S. West).