• Trees absorb carbon dioxide, then transform it into oxygen. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas contributing to global warming and climate change. Consider supporting the planting of trees to offset your carbon emissions.
• Trees transpire, releasing water through their leaves. This process of transpiration cools the air, acting much like an air conditioner. Walk into a dense forest on a hot summer day and notice the temperature change.
• Plant trees on the south side of your building. This can shade windows in the summer and lower air-conditioning costs by 20-50%! In the winter months, when those trees lose their leaves, the sun will shine through the bare branches. This warms your house, reducing your heating costs.
• Trees planted as windbreaks on residential properties reduce home heating costs by 10-15%.
• Trees can shade asphalt making our urban environments cooler and more comfortable during hot summer months.
• Trees intercept rainfall, slow runoff, and absorb water. Forests act like sponges on the landscape. They slow and absorb water and then release it in times of drought. In doing so, our groundwater will recharge.
• Trees reduce runoff into our streams and lakes. This slows the impacts of flooding while filtering and cleaning the water.

When selecting trees for your site, consider trees native to Ontario.

Native trees are suited to our climate and weather conditions. Our wildlife also rely on them for food and shelter. Planting native trees helps to bring nature back into our developed landscapes.

Select the native species that suit your site's soil, moisture, and light conditions. If you select the right species for your conditions, the tree will require little to no care in order to establish and grow into a beautiful mature tree. 

• Plant 10-20 feet away from buildings (distance away from buildings depend on how large/tall your tree will grow)
• Be sure to plant away from hydro wires and set back from fire hydrants, street lights, and sidewalks
• It is best to plant trees in the spring or fall to correspond with rains and cooler weather
• Your trees may need some care during times of drought
• Place mulch around the base of the tree to help retain moisture during hot summer days 

Learn about the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program

Agricultural Watercourse Buffer Planting Program

Quinte Conservation offers a full-service and heavily subsidized tree and shrub planting program within 30 metres of water systems. Riparian buffers are areas or strips of land in permanent vegetation along a watercourse and aim to:

• reduce soil losses due to erosion and protect productive topsoil

• mitigate the movement of sediment, nutrients, and pesticides from farm fields

• enhance shoreline habitat for wildlife and protect biodiversity

For more, info email stewardship@quinteconservation.ca.

Apply Now

Residents of participating municipalities have the opportunity to pick up a variety of native tree and shrub seedlings at designated giveaway locations. The events are funded and organized by each participating municipality and supported by Quinte Conservation. 

2024 Participating Municipalities

• City of Belleville
• Municipality of Centre Hastings
• Town of Greater Napanee
• Municipality of Marmora & Lake
• County of Prince Edward
• Township of Stirling-Rawdon
• Municipality of Tweed
• City of Quinte West

Native plants play an important role in this region’s natural ecology, and the Community Trees initiative provides residents with a great opportunity to support that role by planting in urban and rural properties and help us to increase forest cover across the region for improved watershed and ecosystem health.

Download Planting and Handling Guide

Download 2024 Tree Species Guide

Subsidized Tree Seedling & Planting Program

Looking to plant or have property planted with native trees? You may be eligible for a subsidized program.

Contact our Outreach and Stewardship Coordinator to learn more about programs available to you. 

Tree Seedlings Sale

SOLD OUT FOR 2024

Through our Community Trees Program, qualifying landowners are able to purchase seedlings in a minimum quantity of 100. Contact stewardship@quinteconservation.ca for more information.