Plant a Tree on Your Property

Choosing the right spot for your tree is just as important as choosing the right species. To avoid future clearance, maintenance, and nuisance issues—for both you and your neighbors—be sure to consider the tree’s height and canopy size at maturity.

Here are a few general setback guidelines to follow:

• 2.0 m from buildings and fences
• 3.0 m from back lanes
• 3.0 m from driveways
• 1.5 m from walkways
• 1.0 m from irrigation lines
• 5.0 m from existing trees

Planting with these distances in mind will help ensure your tree has enough room to grow safely and thrive for years to come.

There is no such thing as a perfect tree, but you can minimize future problems by choosing the right tree for the location. Consider the following before planting:

Fruit, cones, or nuts

• Many trees drop cones, nuts, or fruit in the fall. To avoid mess or safety issues, plant these trees where their canopy is away from patios, walkways, sitting areas, and neighboring properties.

Soil moisture

• If your yard has wet or poorly drained areas, either avoid planting there or choose a species that thrives in moist conditions—for example, birch trees.

Exposure to elements

• Trees planted in open, unprotected sites must be suitable for our hardiness zone to withstand wind, cold and other extreme conditions.

Always contact One Call Access before you start digging to locate underground utility lines. This helps prevent damage, service disruptions, and potential injury.

Here are a few general clearance guidelines to follow:

• 1.4 m away from fiber optic lines (e.g., Shaw cable)
• 1.8 m away from SaskEnergy lines
• 0.6 m away from underground electrical (120V to 240V)
• 2.0 m away from underground electrical (greater than 240V)
• 0.5 m away from water and sewer service connections

Follow these steps to help your new tree establish strong roots and a healthy start:

Dig the hole

• Make it two to three times wider than the container and taper the sides to create a saucer shape.

Check the depth

• Do not dig too deep—the root collar (where the trunk meets the roots) should sit flush with or slightly above ground level.

Prepare the roots

• Loosen roots around the rootball or make vertical cuts if they are circling the container.

Backfill carefully

• Fill the hole halfway with soil, then tamp firmly around the rootball with your foot to ensure stability.
• Finish backfilling with the remaining soil and tamp again, working in layers to ensure good soil contact and prevent air pockets.

Visit Tree Canada for additional tips on how to plant a tree.