Free Tree Giveaway

Gardens & Trees

A variety of native tree species are being given away to plant on your side yard or backyard. Trees will be approximately 1 meter tall.

Pre Registration Required.

Bayfront Park Pick-up Registration

Mohawk College Pick-up Registration

The City of Hamilton is giving away free trees to Hamilton Residents. Plant a native tree or shrub on your property to improve air quality, fight climate change and increase property value. Trees will be approximately 1 metre tall. Shade and ornamental native trees and shrubs will be available. Trees must be planted on private property, preferably at the side or back of your home.

If you miss your tree pick up date for any reason, your ticket will be cancelled and no longer valid. Please register for future Free Tree Giveaway dates available.

Pick-up Dates & Locations

Mohawk College
135 Fennell Avenue West
General Parking 9
9 am to 2 pm

Saturday May 25, 2024
Saturday June 1, 2024

Register

Bayfront Park
325 Bay Street North,
Parking Lot
9 am to 2 pm

Saturday June 8, 2024
Saturday June 15, 2024

Register

Giveaway Details

1 tree per property. Pre-registration required.
Must present drivers license or property tax bill.
Shade and ornamental native trees and shrubs will be available, approximately 1 meter tall.
Park your vehicle and pick up your tree. Rain or shine.
Homeowner is responsible to plant, water and maintain private tree.
Call or click before you dig - OntarioOneCall.ca

Native Tree Species

Shade Trees

Chinquapin Oak
Common Hackberry
Sugar Maple
Tulip
Eastern White Pine

Ornamental Trees

Kentucky Coffee
Blue Beech
Service Berry

Deciduous Shrubs

Northern Bush Honeysuckle
American Witch Hazel

Ornamental Trees are trees with characteristics such as flowers, attractive foliage, bark or shape and a mature height normally under 12m.

Shade Trees are a larger tree normally reaching a height above 12m. Its primary role is to provide shade through its spreading canopy of dense foliage.

Chinquapin Oak

Quercus muehlenbergii

Tree and planting Information

Deciduous
Flowers are an early season food source for insects
Acorns are a food source for birds and mammals
Provides nesting habitat and shelter
Host plant for hundreds of insect species

Where to Plant

Clay tolerant
Dry to medium
Full sun, tolerates part sun

Common Hackberry

Celtis occidentalis

Tree and planting Information

Deciduous
Flowers are an early season food source for insects
Fruits are a food source for birds; provides nesting habitat and shelter
Host plant for several insect species.

Where to Plant

Clay tolerant
Dry to medium moisture
Prefers full sun

Sugar Maple

Acer saccharum

Tree and planting Information

Deciduous
Flowers are an early season food source for insects
Seeds are a food source for mammals; provides nesting habitat and shelter
Host plant for many insect species.

Where to Plant

Clay tolerant
Dry to medium moisture
Grows best in full sun but tolerates shade

Tulip Tree

Liriodendron tulipifera

Tree and planting Information

Deciduous
Flowers are a food source for insects and hummingbirds
Seeds are a food source for mammals; provides nesting habitat and shelter
Host plant for several insect species

Where to Plant

Clay tolerant
Medium moisture
Full sun, tolerates part sun

Eastern White Pine

Pinus strobus

Tree and planting Information

Conifer
Cones are a food source for birds and small mammals; provide nesting habitat and shelter.

Where to Plant

Clay tolerant
Sand or sandy loam prefered
Medium moisture
Full or part sun

Kentucky Coffee

Gymnocladus dioicus

Tree and planting Information

Deciduous
Provides nesting habitat and shelter

Where to Plant

Clay tolerant
Medium moisture
Full sun

Blue Beech

Carpinus caroliniana

Tree and planting Information

Deciduous
Flowers are an early season food source for insects
Fruits are a food source for birds and small mammals, provides shelter
Host plant for several insect species

Where to Plant

Clay tolerant
Medium moisture
Full sun, part sun, or shade
Prefers moist, full shade conditions

Service Berry

Amelanchier laevis

Tree and planting Information

Deciduous
Flowers are an early season food source for insects
Fruits are a food source for birds and small mammals
Provides nesting habitat and shelter
Host plant for several insect species

Where to Plant

Clay tolerant
Prefers moist loams
Dry to medium moisture
Full or part sun

Northern Bush Honeysuckle

Diervilla lonicera

Tree and planting Information

Deciduous
Flowers are a food source for insects and hummingbirds
Seeds are a food source for birds; provides shelter
Host plant for several insect species

Where to Plant

Clay tolerant
Prefers dry, sandy soil
Dry to medium moisture
Full sun, part sun or shade

American Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana

Tree and planting Information

Deciduous
Flowers are a food source for late season moths
Seeds are a food source for birds and small mammals
Provides habitat and shelter
Host plant for many insect species

Where to Plant

Clay tolerant
Medium moisture
Full sun, part sun, or shade

Do I need to arrive at 9 AM to get the tree I want?

No. You have pre-registered for a tree species and one will be reserved for you to pick up any time between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM on the pick-up day.

I did not pre-register for a tree, can I walk up on pick-up day?

No. Each tree has been reserved and there will be no extra trees available.

Can I send someone to pick up the tree on my behalf?

Yes. You may send a member of your household to pick up the tree on your behalf. They will need the confirmation email from Eventbrite and proof of residence (ex. drivers license, property tax bill).

Can I change the tree species I want when I get to the pick-up?

No. Each tree has been reserved and there will be no extra trees available. You must take the tree species you pre-registered for.

I am no longer able to pick up my tree, what do I do?

Please cancel your ticket through Eventbrite. The registration will be cancelled and the tree can then be reserved by someone else.

I do not live in Hamilton, can I still get a tree?

No. The free tree giveaway is restricted to residents of Hamilton and the tree must be planted on private property within the City of Hamilton.

I forgot to pick up my tree, how can I get it?

Unfortunately if you do not pick up your tree on your pick-up day, your ticket will been cancelled and will no longer be valid. Please register for future Free Tree Giveaway dates available

How do I plant my tree?

Information on how to plant and care for your tree will be included in the confirmation email sent after you pre-register.

How do I change or cancel my order?

In your confirmation email, click "Go to My Tickets" and select "Cancel Order." If you would like to change your selected tree species prior to registration closing you will need to cancel your order and place a new one.

Can I get a tree if I live in a condo?

Yes, if you have a driver’s license or property tax bill indicating you reside in Hamilton you qualify to register for the Free Tree Giveaway.

I have additional questions, who can I contact?

Contact the Call Centre 905-546-2489 or email [email protected] if you have additional questions.

Food and monetary donations for Hamilton Food Share are appreciated.

Date modified

May 30, 2024