City of Vancouver launches tree adoption program

The Vancouver Park Board announced Monday the launch of a new ‘Adopt a Tree’ program, encouraging residents to care for young trees on Vancouver streets.

The city says the program is designed to promote the stewardship of Vancouver’s urban forest while supporting its goals of increasing canopy coverage to 30 per cent by 2050.

Newly planted trees require more water while they try to establish, and the city says having a lush urban canopy of leaves will help Vancouver adapt to climate change.

“It’s no secret that Vancouverites are passionate about their trees, and we are thrilled to be launching this program,” said Park Board Commissioner Tom Digby. “Vancouver’s urban forest includes over 160,000 street trees as well as park trees and 713 hectares of forest. Each tree is critical to our wellbeing and the wildlife we share our city with.”

The city says new trees are vulnerable to the hot and dry periods of summer. It says city crews do water newly planted trees, but extra watering is required.

Taking care of an adopted tree means watering during dry spells longer than the four days without rain. The city has detailed methods for watering new trees — it should be done in the morning, and with a specialized bag or bucket — and watering isn’t limited by city watering restrictions.

Anyone can adopt a tree but the method requires nearby access to a hose.

The city says limited supplies and sign-up can be accessed online or by visiting:

• Brittania Community Centre, on Wednesday, Aug. 21, from 1 to 5 p.m.
• Hillcrest Aquatic Centre, on Saturday, Aug. 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Killarney Community Centre, on Sunday, Aug. 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Park Board says it plants about 2,000 new street trees every year, and the Adopt a Tree program applies to trees younger than three years old.