October 13, 2026
Most of Calgary's future trees will have to grow in our yards. Here's what 392 Calgarians told the City would help
Count the trees on your street, then picture almost twice as many. That's roughly what the City is aiming for.
Calgary's tree canopy covered 9.62% of the city in 2024. The goal is 16% by 2060. About 70% of Calgary's land is privately owned, so the City can't get there by planting parks and boulevards alone. Most of the new trees will have to go in yards like ours.
That's why the City is rewriting its Urban Forest Strategic Plan (the current one dates from 2007), and why this summer's engagement focused on private property. The What We Heard report is now out.
What residents said
From May 25 to June 26 the City collected 392 online responses from more than 150 communities, plus feedback at eight pop-ups across the city.
What makes it hard to plant or keep a tree
- Cost of the tree, soil, supplies, water, and pruning later on.
- Not knowing which tree will survive Calgary's climate and suit your yard.
- Small lots and poor yard conditions.
- Not knowing how to care for it: when to water, fertilize and prune.
- Help choosing the right tree, which came out on top.
- Free or discounted trees.
- Simple care instructions and seasonal reminders.
- Delivery and planting help, for people without a truck or who can't dig.
- A free visit from a City arborist for older trees, and help with pruning costs.
Two things stood out: most people had never heard of the City's tree-care courses or its free mulch, and some who wanted a free tree from Branching Out missed out because the trees went so fast.
What you can use now
- Branching Out, the City's free-tree giveaway. In 2026 it gave away 10,000 trees, up to two per address, and SW slots tend to fill within hours. Our spring write-up has the details; we'll post the 2027 registration date as soon as the City announces it.
- Free tree-care courses: online modules and recorded sessions on choosing the right tree, pruning, pests. Tree care and education →
- Free mulch from the City. Mulch program →
What happens next
The City is drafting the plan until March 2027 and expects to bring it to City Council between April and June 2027. A status update is promised for late 2026.