My son’s 1st birthday is coming up and we would like to plant a tree in celebration of his first year and watch them grow together.
Our front lawn only gets a few hours of sunshine everyday, so what would be the best mid size type of tree we should consider? I’d love something with flowers, but it might not be possible due to the lack of natural light.
Also, where should we go to get good service/advice and also to have someone come and plant it for us, preferably in the east end? There is NO WAY my husband and I can plant a tree, lol!
Oh, and his birthday is on Saturday, so we’d like to get that done that day if possible, or soon after.
There are a few options for tree planting services such as you describe:
- LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) is a not-for-profit organization that offers a full service backyard tree-planting program. This includes a yard consultation with someone who will advise you on planting the right tree in the right place. LEAF offers 6′ to 8′ trees and full planting service for approximately $150 to $220, depending on the tree selected and whether it is ‘bare root’ or potted. Check out www.yourleaf.org for more information.
- Also, the City of Toronto Urban Forestry Department will plant trees on the City street allowance in front of residential properties free of charge. There is a list of approved native species to choose from – some of them nice flowering species. If you go to the City of Toronto website and search for ‘tree planting on city property – species selection’ you will find an article with links to the Tree Planting Brochure. Someone from the Urban Forestry Department will come, look at your site and make sure the tree you have chosen will work in that location. A service request for a tree to be planted on the City street allowance can be submitted online at www.toronto.ca/311 or phone call 311. Urban Forestry is unable to provide an exact planting date, but they usually plant in the spring and the fall.
- Finally, there is a not-for-profit organization called Treemobile that sells trees for somewhere between $40 and $50 per tree and has volunteers to plant them. The homeowner is responsible for having the locates of services (gas, water etc….) done before digging, especially important for front yards. Get more information at www.transitiontreemobile.org.
So, lots of options. It very likely won’t be possible to have this planting done this coming Saturday unless you buy and plant the tree yourself. Good luck.