Free trees and shrubs for Oshawa residents

Oshawa Environmental Advisory Committee (OEAC) is providing free trees and shrubs to Oshawa residents and property owners in a bid to help expand the city’s tree canopy.

Residents and property owners are invited to register online by Monday, October 21 to receive a free tree and/or shrub (up to three per household, limited quantity available). Three species are available for selection:

• Basswood Tree (talia americana), a large deciduous tree with easily worked wood and nutrient-rich leaves.
• Serbian Spruce Tree (picea omorika), a heat tolerant coniferous tree that grows tall and thin making it suitable for private properties.
• Black Chokeberry (aronia melanocarpa) (potted), a shrub that can be planted or remain potted that produces small white flowers and dark berries that can be used to make jams, teas and more.

Residents and property owners must be available to pick-up their plants the morning of Saturday, October 26, or will need to identify the name of the person who will be making the pick-up for them during the registration process.

There are a limited number of the trees and shrubs available. The plants will be distributed in order of registration.

After registration closes on Monday, October 21, all registrants will be notified of the status of their submission via email or phone (depending on the contact information provided). Successful registrants will be notified of the pick-up time and location before Saturday, October 26. The pick-up event will run rain or shine.

“Urban canopies provide a vital source of well-being to cities, both in their contributions to the environment and to resident quality of life. OEAC members have put great preparations into this tree giveaway so I hope lots of Oshawa residents take advantage of this chance to participate in creating healthier communities,” said Councillor Derek Giberson, Council Representative, Oshawa Environmental Advisory Committee.

“OEAC is excited to be hosting two key events in October – a free tree giveaway program where residents can register online to receive a free tree/shrub (up to three per household), and our annual film night on Thursday, October 17 at 6:30 p.m. Trees have many benefits – from providing shade, places to play and beautifying our landscape,” said Susan Hall, Chair of the Oshawa Environmental Advisory Committee.

“Trees provide habitat for wildlife, reduce greenhouse house gas emissions and help to hold our soils in place. We see a great opportunity for residents of Oshawa to share our passion for trees and enhance their own properties while contributing to the growth of our collective tree canopy by planting trees and shrubs.”