Metropolis of Kelowna providing 5 kinds of timber for householders to purchase and plant

Spring is right around the corner, which means the City of Kelowna’s NeighbourWoods program is back for another year.

This year, Kelowna residents are invited to purchase one of five types of trees for $40 plus tax.

Your tree will then be delivered to your home on April 16, at which point you can plant it in your yard.

Spruce (or maple) up your yard with a NeighbourWoods tree https://t.co/dvttNVgeF9

— City of Kelowna (@cityofkelowna) March 2, 2021

Tara Bergeson, the City’s urban forestry technician, says that the program has helped beautify our city with trees for more than a decade.

“Since 2010, residents have purchased over 5,000 trees to plant on their properties,” she explained.

“This program helps us bring residents together to work towards our goal of becoming a greener city. Kelowna continues to grow, and we want to ensure our urban forest grows with it.”

This year, the following five tree varieties are available for purchase:

• American Mountain Ash
• Ivory Silk Japanese Tree Lilac
• Maidenhair Ginkgo
• Northwood Maple
• Urban Pinnacle Oak

To learn more about each type of tree and to order yours ahead of April 16, visit the City of Kelowna website.

There’s a limited number of each tree available for purchase and just 250 total that are available, a lower number than usual thanks to the ongoing pandemic.

However, if you miss out, the NeighbourWoods program will return in the fall for the first time ever.

“Due to supply chain issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to secure as many trees as usual this spring,” said Bergeson.

“But the good news is that we’ll have a lot more trees available in the fall. October is actually an ideal time for tree planting, as it’s not as hot and trees can establish well over the cooler, wetter fall months.”

More information will be available on the fall NeighbourWoods program in August.

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