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The Town of Amherstburg has been chosen as the recipient of grant funding from the FCM Green Municipal Fund to execute a multi-year street tree planting plan to protect and enhance the Town's tree canopy.
Street trees are Town-owned trees planted within the municipal right-of-way within the boulevard area along streets to provide environmental, aesthetic, and community benefits.
Tree planting species and locations were pre-selected by the Town Arborist as part of the grant application in 2025.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Plant 350 new street trees in targeted urban areas of Amherstburg in 2 phases (focusing on neighbourhoods with lower tree cover and high pedestrian activity)
Enhance the aesthetic appeal and livability of local streetscapes
Improve air quality
Reduce urban heat island effects
Increase shade for pedestrians and homes
Promote climate change resilience and support local biodiversity by selecting various native ad climate-resilient tree species
BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY
Community Health and Well-being: Street trees create cooler, more comfortable neighbourhoods by providing shade, improving air quality, and encouraging people to spend more time walking, cycling, and enjoying outdoor spaces.
Socioeconomic: Healthy, tree-lined streets enhance neighbourhood character, can increase property values, reduce energy costs by providing shade, and make communities more attractive places to live, work, and visit.
Climate Resilience: Trees help communities adapt to a changing climate by reducing extreme heat, storing carbon, and improving air quality. They make neighbourhoods more resilient to hotter summers and changing weather patterns.
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health: Street trees provide food and shelter for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. A diverse urban forest supports healthy ecosystems and strengthens the natural environment.
Reduce Flooding: Trees help manage stormwater by intercepting rainfall, slowing runoff, and allowing more water to soak into the ground. This helps reduce pressure on storm sewer systems and lowers the risk of localized flooding.
Traffic Calming: Tree-lined streets naturally encourage slower driving by creating a narrower visual corridor. This can improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and everyone using the street.
SPECIES TO BE PLANTED
Hackberry
Tulip Tree
Honey Locust
London Plane
Kentucky Coffee
Autumn Blaze Maple
Zelkova
Linden
Sweet Gum
Red Sunset Maple
October Glory Maple
Pin Oak
Ivory Silk Lilac
GRANT FUNDING INFORMATION
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund includes grants related to tree planting initiatives. Their website states, “Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) initiative funds planting the right type of trees in the right places so that communities across Canada can grow, manage and protect their tree canopies. When communities plant trees they benefit from carbon sequestration, enhanced biodiversity, and better climate resilience and well-being. To qualify for tree planting funding, your project must contribute to the planting of new trees with municipal government involvement and accountability. As tree planting benefits communities in diverse ways, projects with planting that supports environmental, economic and social objectives will be more likely to receive funding.”
The Town of Amherstburg received $170,650 to support the 2026/27 tree planting program.
The Town of Amherstburg has been chosen as the recipient of grant funding from the FCM Green Municipal Fund to execute a multi-year street tree planting plan to protect and enhance the Town's tree canopy.
Street trees are Town-owned trees planted within the municipal right-of-way within the boulevard area along streets to provide environmental, aesthetic, and community benefits.
Tree planting species and locations were pre-selected by the Town Arborist as part of the grant application in 2025.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Plant 350 new street trees in targeted urban areas of Amherstburg in 2 phases (focusing on neighbourhoods with lower tree cover and high pedestrian activity)
Enhance the aesthetic appeal and livability of local streetscapes
Improve air quality
Reduce urban heat island effects
Increase shade for pedestrians and homes
Promote climate change resilience and support local biodiversity by selecting various native ad climate-resilient tree species
BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY
Community Health and Well-being: Street trees create cooler, more comfortable neighbourhoods by providing shade, improving air quality, and encouraging people to spend more time walking, cycling, and enjoying outdoor spaces.
Socioeconomic: Healthy, tree-lined streets enhance neighbourhood character, can increase property values, reduce energy costs by providing shade, and make communities more attractive places to live, work, and visit.
Climate Resilience: Trees help communities adapt to a changing climate by reducing extreme heat, storing carbon, and improving air quality. They make neighbourhoods more resilient to hotter summers and changing weather patterns.
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health: Street trees provide food and shelter for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. A diverse urban forest supports healthy ecosystems and strengthens the natural environment.
Reduce Flooding: Trees help manage stormwater by intercepting rainfall, slowing runoff, and allowing more water to soak into the ground. This helps reduce pressure on storm sewer systems and lowers the risk of localized flooding.
Traffic Calming: Tree-lined streets naturally encourage slower driving by creating a narrower visual corridor. This can improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and everyone using the street.
SPECIES TO BE PLANTED
Hackberry
Tulip Tree
Honey Locust
London Plane
Kentucky Coffee
Autumn Blaze Maple
Zelkova
Linden
Sweet Gum
Red Sunset Maple
October Glory Maple
Pin Oak
Ivory Silk Lilac
GRANT FUNDING INFORMATION
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund includes grants related to tree planting initiatives. Their website states, “Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) initiative funds planting the right type of trees in the right places so that communities across Canada can grow, manage and protect their tree canopies. When communities plant trees they benefit from carbon sequestration, enhanced biodiversity, and better climate resilience and well-being. To qualify for tree planting funding, your project must contribute to the planting of new trees with municipal government involvement and accountability. As tree planting benefits communities in diverse ways, projects with planting that supports environmental, economic and social objectives will be more likely to receive funding.”
The Town of Amherstburg received $170,650 to support the 2026/27 tree planting program.
2026/2027 Tree Planting Program has finished this stage
Planting locations within the right-of-way are identified and mapped. Planting will be carried out at 350 locations within the urban areas of Amherstburg over 2 phases. At present, each location selected currently does not have a Town-owned tree. Above and below-grade utility conflicts are taken into consideration during site selection.
Ten (10) soil samples will be collected at random sites throughout the developed areas of Amherstburg where plantings are anticipated to occur. Soil conditions will be analyzed to determine if soil modification is required.
Phase 1 - Procurement of Trees and Other Supplies
2026/2027 Tree Planting Program has finished this stage
Trees are acquired from local tree nurseries. The tree species selected are to be primarily Carolinian. The species selection is based on the best tree available for the proposed location and space.
Engagement with Residents and Stakeholders
2026/2027 Tree Planting Program is currently at this stage
Door hangers will be placed at planting locations to advise landowners of the future tree planting with information such as: species to be planted, grant information, benefits of tree planting and canopy cover
A media release will be developed to promote the planting program and acknowledge the grant through the Town of Amherstburg website.
Local Indigenous Communities will have an opportunity to provide input a his time.
Phase 1 - Tree Planting
this is an upcoming stage for 2026/2027 Tree Planting Program
The Town will enter into a contract with a competent landscape company to plant the trees and provide a one-year maintenance period.
Phase 1 - Maintenance Activities
this is an upcoming stage for 2026/2027 Tree Planting Program
The trees will be watered on an as needed basis depending on the rain and weather patterns. Tree stakes will be removed once fall root growth is complete. The trees will be re-mulched where needed. Re-mulching will provide natural moisture to be retained in the soil. Watering will provide additional moisture if the region experiences a dry-hot summer in 2027.
Phase 1 - Monitoring & Reporting
this is an upcoming stage for 2026/2027 Tree Planting Program
Tree will be monitored and added to the Town's tree inventory once the one-year maintenance period is complete. Trees that are in poor condition/have not survived will be replaced. Expected failure rate is approximately 10%. A final report will be submitted to FMC with actual costs and details on the success of the program.
Phase 2 - Procurement of Trees and Other Supplies
this is an upcoming stage for 2026/2027 Tree Planting Program
Trees are acquired from local tree nurseries. The tree species selected are to be primarily Carolinian. The species selection is based on the best tree available for the proposed location and space.
Phase 2 - Tree Planting
this is an upcoming stage for 2026/2027 Tree Planting Program
The Town will enter into a contract with a competent landscape company to plant the trees and provide a one-year maintenance period.
Phase 2 - Maintenance Acitivities
this is an upcoming stage for 2026/2027 Tree Planting Program
The trees will be watered on an as needed basis depending on the rain and weather patterns. Tree stakes will be removed once fall root growth is complete. The trees will be re-mulched where needed. Re-mulching will provide natural moisture to be retained in the soil. Watering will provide additional moisture if the region experiences a dry-hot summer in 2028.
Phase 2 - Monitoring & Reporting
this is an upcoming stage for 2026/2027 Tree Planting Program
Tree will be monitored and added to the Town's tree inventory once the one-year maintenance period is complete. Trees that are in poor condition/have not survived will be replaced. Expected failure rate is approximately 10%. A final report will be submitted to FMC with actual costs and details on the success of the program.
Project Completion
this is an upcoming stage for 2026/2027 Tree Planting Program
