Ask West Kelowna
UPDATE: May 6, 2020
Our Parks staff hand delivered all 150 trees for the inaugural Urban Re-Leaf program.
We are so grateful to this community for your support of this new initiative. It was a big success with all 150 trees selling in just a few weeks and we look forward to next year being even bigger and better.
Don’t forget, we want to see our urban tree canopy grow!
Post a pic of your newly planted tree and tag the City of West Kelowna on social media or email us the picture to communications@westkelowna.ca.
Urban Re-Leaf is a residential planting program developed to encourage citizens to plant trees and increase the canopy throughout West Kelowna.
Urban Re-Leaf 2020 will take place Saturday, April 4, 2020 with tree sales occuring March 2 to 27.
West Kelowna residents can buy a tree for just $60, about half of the regular retail price. A set amount of five different deciduous tree species will be available in 10-gallon pots.
Why is the City starting the Uban Re-Leaf Program?
Trees are important! Trees create the very air we breathe and act as filters, attempting to keep it clean.
Trees do this by helping to remove carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the air, which in turn cools the earth. In fact, a mature canopy tree absorbs enough carbon dioxide, at a rate of about 21.6 KG/year, and releases enough oxygen to sustain two human beings.
Trees also build soil and help soak up stormwater which can prevent flooding, and they offer energy-saving shade that reduces global warming and creates habitat for thousands of different species.
Therefore the benefits of expanding the West Kelowna tree canopy are many and include:
- Improving air quality
- Mitigating climate change through absorbing carbon dioxide
- Water conservation through absorbing rainfall and reducing runoff
- Energy conservation from shading
- Economic benefits associated with attractive tree cover and landscaping
Available 2020 Tree Options
| Autumn Blaze Maple - Sold out for 2020 |
The Autumn Blaze Maple is a fast growing deciduous shade tree with deeply lobed rich green leaves, turning spectacular shades of orange-red in fall. A hybrid of Red and Silver Maple, the tree has become one of the most popular street and landscape arbors in North America.
Water Needs: Moderate Light Needs: Full Sun Height: 40-50' Spread: 20'+
Care and info:Water regularly as needed. Drought tolerant once established. Feed in spring with an all purpose fertilizer prior to new spring growth. Little pruning is necessary but try to promote a central leader and strong branching structure when young. Prune broken or damaged limbs. |
| Toba Hawthorn - Sold out for 2020 |
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Water Needs: Moderate Light Needs: Full Sun Height: 10-20' Spread: 10-20'
Care and info:Prefers a moist well drained soil. Water regularly as needed. Feed in spring with an all purpose fertilizer prior to new spring growth. Little pruning is necessary. Prune broken or damaged limbs. |
| Sunburst Honeylocust - Sold out for 2020 |
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Water Needs: Moderate Light Needs: Full Sun Height: 30-40' Spread: 20'+
Care and info:Water regularly as needed to establish. Drought tolerant and endures most soil conditions once established. Feed in spring with an all purpose fertilizer prior to new growth. Prune to remove broken or weak wood as needed. |
| Muckle Plum - Sold out for 2020 |
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Water Needs: Moderate Light Needs: Full Sun Height: 10-20' Spread: 5-10'
Care and info:Water regularly as needed. Feed in spring with an all purpose fertilizer prior to new spring growth. Little pruning is necessary. Prune broken or damaged limbs. |
| Pekin Tree Lilac - Sold out for 2020 |
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Water Needs: Moderate Light Needs: Full Sun Height: 20-30' Spread: 10-20'
Care and info:Water regularly as needed to establish. Tolerant of most soils and drought when established. Feed in spring prior to new growth. Little pruning is required. If pruning is required, cut back after blooming to promote strong new growth and flower buds to set for the next year. |
The Toba Hawthorn is a beautiful flowering tree with an interesting twisted trunk. Fragrant double flower clusters open white and darken to pink with age. Small red fruit is produced in fall. Glossy green lobed leaves turn yellow in fall. The tree was developed by Agriculture Canada at the Morden Research station.
The Sunburst Honeylocust is an airy symmetrical, broadly pyramidal shade, street or park tree. Foliage emerges golden bronze and turns green as it matures, sometimes giving a bicolour look. Good for shading other plants that require sun protection. Drought tolerant once established.
The Muckle Plum has ark green glossy foliage that turns orangey red in fall. Rose pink blooms emerge from bright red buds in early spring. Hardy low maintenance plant with a rounded growth habit. Makes a great small accent. A hybrid of Canadian Plum and Russian Almond.
The Pekin Tree Lilac is an upright spreading tree with dark cherry brown bark that stands out in winter. Dark green foliage in summer turns yellow in fall. Large panicles of fragrant creamy white flowers bloom in early summer. Useful as a small specimen tree or in mass plantings.Urban Re-Leaf FAQs
| Where can I purchase a tree? |
| Starting March 2, 2020 trees can be purchased in person at West Kelowna City Hall, 2760 Cameron Road, West Kelowna, BC, V1Z 2T6. Trees can be paid for via cheque, cash or debit. Trees must be purchased before March 27, 2020. |
| How much is a tree? |
| A tree is $60. |
| Who is eligible to buy a tree through the program? |
| All residents of West Kelowna are eligible to purchase a tree. |
| How many trees can I purchase? |
| Trees are limited to one per property. |
| How do I get my tree after purchase? |
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If you purchased a tree, the City asks that you contact us for further information. Tree delivery and pick-up is paused until further notice. Those who purchased trees should contact the City using the information below to provide their proof of purchase, name, address and species details. Email or call:
Staff will follow up directly with residents in the coming weeks about the tree program. |
| Can I cancel my tree order after purchase? |
| No, tree orders cannot be cancelled or refunded once processed. |
| What trees are available this year? |
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Five species are available this year:
For more information on each tree click here. |
| How large are the trees when they are picked up? |
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Your tree size will vary. The trees are large and planted in a 10-gallon pot so expect to pick-up a tree that is approximately 8 -10 feet tall. You can view the tree descriptions above to see how large each tree will become once fully grown. |
| Can I get a refund if my tree dies? |
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All trees will be verified healthy upon delivery, but aftercare and maintence are the sole responsibility of the tree purchaser. No refunds or replacements are provided for dead trees. A tree planting guide will be provided when you purchase the tree and demonstrations will be available during pickup. |
How to plant your tree
Step by step giude to planting your new tree:
- Locate all underground utilities prior to digging. Remember to call or click before you dig!
- At least three business days before digging, click on bc1c.ca or call BC 1 Call at 1-800-474-6886. BC 1 Call will notify all member companies that have buried utilities in your dig area.
- Once digging in the area is determined to be safe, dig a hole that is the depth of the root ball and 2-3 times the width of the root ball.
- Note: Identify the trunk flare. The trunk flare is where the trunk expands at the base of the tree. This point should be partially visible after the tree has been planted.
- If the tree is planted too deep, new roots will have difficulty developing because of a lack of oxygen.
- Cut away the burlap/twine from the root ball.
- Place the root ball in the centre of the hole on top of the undisturbed soil.
- Fill in the hole with backfill and cover the entire disturbed area with 2-3 inches of mulch.
- Fill the remainder of the hole, firmly packing the soil to eliminate air pockets that may dry out roots.
- Further reduce air pockets by watering periodically while backfilling.
- Avoid fertilization at the time of planting.
- Stake the tree, if necessary.
- Studies have shown that trees establish more quickly and develop stronger trunk and root systems if they are not staked at the time of planting.
- Water.
- Keep the soil moist, but not water-logged.
- Check out the long-term care instructions above for your type of tree.
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