Residents in St. Thomas can pick up free trees to plant at home as the city hosts its annual tree giveaway on Earth Day, April 22, 2026. The event will take place at 1Password Park, located at 95 Elm Street.
The giveaway is an effort by the city to support local environmental and greening initiatives. It has become a yearly tradition for the community, following successful events held in 2023 and 2024. The program is managed by the city’s Parks, Recreation and Property Management Department, which provides guidance to residents on how to properly plant and care for the new trees.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to manage and grow the city’s natural landscape. A recent assessment conducted by PlanIT Geo found that 26 percent of St. Thomas is covered by an urban tree canopy. In addition to these giveaways, the city has expanded its environmental projects to include the creation of a mini forest at Parish Park.
St. Thomas previously gained international recognition in 2024 as a Tree City of the World, a designation awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation. Similar tree-planting events are taking place in other municipalities across Ontario this Earth Day as part of wider efforts to increase urban green space.
