Quinte Conservation commits itself to sustainable forest management practices. We aim to support and encourage healthy forest-management practices of our existing forests as well as supporting tree-planting initiatives across our watersheds. Trees provide a wealth of environmental, health and social benefits. Trees clean our air, absorb carbon, and slow climate change they provide food and shelter for wildlife and slow erosion while contributing to cleaner water, greener communities, and healthier people.

Quinte Conservation staff planting along a shoreline
Why Plant Trees? 
  • Trees absorb carbon dioxide, then transform it into oxygen. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas contributing to global warming and climate change. Consider supporting the planting of trees to offset your carbon emissions.
  • Trees transpire, releasing water through their leaves. This process of transpiration cools the air, acting much like an air conditioner. Walk into a dense forest on a hot summer day and notice the temperature change.
  • Plant trees on the south side of your building. This can shade windows in the summer and lower air-conditioning costs by 20-50%! In the winter months, when those trees lose their leaves, the sun will shine through the bare branches. This warms your house, reducing your heating costs.
  • Trees planted as windbreaks on residential properties reduce home heating costs by 10-15%.
  • Trees can shade asphalt making our urban environments cooler and more comfortable during hot summer months.
  • Trees intercept rainfall, slow runoff, and absorb water. Forests act like sponges on the landscape. They slow and absorb water and then release it in times of drought. In doing so, our groundwater will recharge.
  • Trees reduce runoff into our streams and lakes. This slows the impacts of flooding while filtering and cleaning the water.
Choose Native Species

When selecting trees for your site, consider trees native to Ontario.

Native trees are suited to our climate and weather conditions. Our wildlife also rely on them for food and shelter. Planting native trees helps to bring nature back into our developed landscapes.

Select the native species that suit your site's soil, moisture, and light conditions. If you select the right species for your conditions, the tree will require little to no care in order to establish and grow into a beautiful mature tree. 
Considerations When Planting
  • Plant 10-20 feet away from buildings (distance away from buildings depend on how large/tall your tree will grow)
  • Be sure to plant away from hydro wires and set back from fire hydrants, street lights, and sidewalks
  • It is best to plant trees in the spring or fall to correspond with rains and cooler weather
  • Your trees may need some care during times of drought
  • Place mulch around the base of the tree to help retain moisture during hot summer days 
Additional Resources
Landowner's Guide to Forest Management Basics 

Learn about the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program

 

Programs

Agricultural Watercourse Buffer Planting Program

Quinte Conservation offers a full-service and heavily subsidized tree and shrub planting program within 30 metres of water systems. Riparian buffers are areas or strips of land in permanent vegetation along a watercourse and aim to:

  • reduce soil losses due to erosion and protect productive topsoil

  • mitigate the movement of sediment, nutrients, and pesticides from farm fields

  • enhance shoreline habitat for wildlife and protect biodiversity

For more, info email stewardship@quinteconservation.ca.

Apply Now
Community Trees

Residents of participating municipalities have the opportunity to pick up a variety of native tree and shrub seedlings at designated giveaway locations. The events are free to residents and funded/organized by each participating municipality and supported by Quinte Conservation. 

2025 Participating Municipalities TBD

Native plants play an important role in this region’s natural ecology, and the Community Trees initiative provides residents with a great opportunity to support that role by planting in urban and rural properties and help us to increase forest cover across the region for improved watershed and ecosystem health.

New This Year - Public Order Form For Bulk Purchasing

If you are looking to purchase bare-root trees/shrubs in bundles of 25/per species, you may do so starting February 11th through this online form (coming soon). This form will be available while supplies last or until April 30th. 

You must place an order prior to pick-up on Friday, May 2, 2025 between 7:30 am and 5:30 pm. 

Pick-up location will be communicated with purchasers ahead of time. 

Orders will not be held as seedlings are bare-root and therefore must be kept damp, cool, and dark until ready for planting. 

Remaining stock will be available for purchase in singular quantities on Sunday, May 4th and Monday, May 5th, while supplies last. Location and time of sale yet TBD. 

For questions about purchasing, please contact stewardship@quinteconservation.ca.

 

Download Planting and Handling Guide

Download 2024 Tree Species Guide

Subsidized Tree Seedling & Planting Program

We currently not offer a subsidized tree program. To have your property pre-screened for when funding does becomes available, please email our Stewardship Department.

Tree Seedlings Sale

Information for 2025 coming soon.