Community Tree Planting Pilot Program
The City of Saskatoon has launched a Community Tree Planting Pilot Program in response to interest from residents and community groups who wish to plant trees in parks and open spaces.
Applications open: January 1
Applications close: July 1
Planting ends: September 15
Single tree planting (up to 4 trees): applications must be submitted at least 30 days prior to your intended planting date.
Large projects (5 trees or more and/or including shrub beds): applications must be submitted at least 60 days before the intended planting date.
Application review
Once the application is submitted, Urban Forestry will review the proposed planting location and circulate it to relevant stakeholders. If the location is approved, the applicant will be asked to provide:
- Valid utility locates from OneCallAccess and the City of Saskatoon. Locates must be valid at the time of the planting.
- A planting plan with a drawing to indicate the distance between each tree planting site and any nearby above-ground infrastructure or underground utilities.
Application assessment
An Urban Forestry team member will work closely with the applicant and will consider the following guidelines when reviewing the proposed planting plan:
- Suitability of the proposed tree species for the soil conditions, moisture level, and grade.
- Accessibility for City equipment required for future maintenance, including watering, pruning, stump grinding and mowing.
- Compliance with Parks' planting setbacks standards.
Approval and implementation
If the application is approved:
- The applicant is responsible for reviewing and signing the Terms and Conditions.
- The applicant is responsible for obtaining and funding all required supplies including trees, shrubs, mulch, and soil.
- The applicant must keep the tags on the trees and shrubs.
- Urban Forestry will inspect the tree health and planting depth on the day of planting.
- Urban Forestry will install a metal support stake for each tree.
Acceptance into City inventory
A Forestry Technician will inspect the health of the trees and shrubs [FC1] [TS2] [TS3] at the end of the three-year establishment period.
If the trees and shrubs do not pass inspection:
- The applicant must remove the plant material and restore the area to its original condition.
If the trees and shrubs pass inspection:
- They will be added to the City inventory and all future maintenance such as watering, pruning and mulching will be completed by the City.
- The City reserves the right to remove the plant material at any time.