2024 Arbor Day Seedling Planting Sites
For approved Arbor Day seedling planting locations on City-owned land, view the Root for Trees Program Sites map.
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Arbor Day in Edmonton, an annual celebration in May, is one of several City-led programs which enables Edmontonians to learn about creating a healthy, climate resilient city.
For approved Arbor Day seedling planting locations on City-owned land, view the Root for Trees Program Sites map.
Connecting with our natural and human-made network of greenspaces is an important part of being an Edmontonian.
Other cities and countries celebrate this event on different days in the spring. For more information, please visit the Arbor Day Foundation – Tree Canada and the US National Arbor Day Foundation.
The most common tree that is presented to Grade 1 students through the Province of Alberta is a white spruce (Picea glauca). These trees are native to Alberta and can grow in diverse soil conditions.
Another common tree that students may receive is the lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta). This evergreen tree is the provincial tree of Alberta and is recognized by its tall, straight, narrow crown.
You can tell the difference between the spruce and the pine by looking at the leaves (or needles):
Full Size: 20 – 45 meters
Form: Narrow pyramid
Foliage: Needles are single square, dark green to blue-green
Lifespan: Up to 200 years
White spruce grows best in well-drained, moist soils. It can withstand flooding during the growing season, but it does not like to stand in water or be very dry. It has moderate shade tolerance.
Plant this tree species at least 8 metres from any building or permanent structure, but not under power lines.
Full Size: Up to 30 meters
Form: Tall, slender, straight trunk
Foliage: Needles are long and twisted, light green to yellowish, growing in bundles of 2
Lifespan: Up to 150 years
Lodgepole pine is best grown on well-drained, loamy soils. As one of the most drought-tolerant of our native conifers, it is found on a wide range of soils. It is tolerant of partial shade, but does best in full sun.
Plant this tree species at least 8 metres from any building or permanent structure, but not under power lines.
Arbor Day trees are a symbol of the future just as our children are. If we nurture them and give them space to grow, we will see what a great contribution they make to our community.
Ensure the hole the tree seedling is placed in is not too deep or too shallow. There must be no air pockets; otherwise, root growth and tree alignment can be affected. The soil must also be fairly compacted (not too loose), and be of good quality.
Online | Contact 311 Online |
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If you are calling from outside of Edmonton: 780-442-5311
Phone | 311 |
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TTY | 711 |