ORDERS ARE CLOSED - SOLD OUT FOR 2023 

County of Wellington is distributing over 150,000 trees this year. The County, along with its partner Conservation Authorities, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry promote the planting of trees and care of forests in Wellington County. Seedlings are distributed free to residents of Wellington County, local environmental groups, service clubs, schools and Wellington's local municipalities. 

Order early for best selection!  The 2023 Green Legacy online tree order form opens Monday October 3, 2022 at 8:30am.  We do our best to fulfill all species and quantities requested, however they are NOT GUARANTEED.  The order form is updated weekdays between 9:00am to 4:00pm, excluding holidays. 

Did you know Green Legacy trees are grown from source-identified seeds?  Many of our seeds are collected locally by staff and volunteers, while others are purchased from reliable sources.  Choosing seeds from appropriate seed zones and eco-districts is important.  This makes them more adaptable to seasonal temperatures, precipitation, and threats like pests and disease. They also have an increased chance of survival and greater growth potential.

Eligibility Requirements 

  • Trees must be planted in Wellington County within one of the seven member municipalities. You may check your property location using Explore Wellington Interactive Map.

Note: The City of Guelph is a separate single tier municipality, not a member municipality.

  • Trees may not be used for resale.

The minimum order is 10 trees (1 bundle) however, larger orders of 50 to 100+ trees are strongly encouraged. Trees are available on a first come, first serve basis. 

Tree Deliveries 
Deliveries occur Monday - Friday (excluding Good Friday and Easter Monday) throughout the month of April.

Once your order has be scheduled on a delivery route, you receive an email prior to receiving your seedlings.

Deliveries begin in the South end of Wellington County, working towards the North. This allows us to provide trees to customers in the warmest areas first, where the weather is more appropriate for planting earlier in the season. Deliveries are weather dependent.

 

Seedlings will be delivered, no charge, to the end of your driveway in rural areas. In urban areas, we may place trees closer to a building where possible.
 2023 Tree Species - Available October 3, 2022
White Cedar Buttonbush* Honey Locust
Red Pine Choke Cherry Silver Maple
Eastern White Pine Red-Osier Dogwood* Sugar Maple
Norway Spruce Common Elderberry* Ninebark*
White Spruce American Elm* Bur Oak
Tamarack Northern Hackberry Red Oak
  Bitternut Hickory*

Ohio Buckeye
  Kentucky Coffee Tree Black Walnut
     
     
     
 
    

*fewer than 500 available
 Tree Protection and Mulch Mats

Rodent guards are protective pieces of plastic designed to wrap around the trunk of a tree (usually a deciduous species). They offer protection against rodents (like voles) that eat tree bark. They are available to order for $1 each plus tax. All sales are final.  

white plastic tree wraps on potted tree trunks

Mulch mats are woven coconut fibre mats that are placed on the ground at the base of the seedling. They offer protection against competition (like grasses) and help to retain moisture in the soil. They are 45 cm square and available to order for $1 each plus tax. All sales are final. square mulch mat with a slit cut to the centre from one side
 Planting and Care Instructions
Download our Planting and Care Instructions

  Online Tree Order Form  Hardcopy PDF Order Form 

Do You Need Some Tree Advice?

The Ontario Tree Atlas can help you:

  • Identify native Ontario tree species using pictures of bark, fruit, cones, leaves and needles
  • Learn which species grow best in your area, including tips on when and how to plant a tree
  • Understand what types of soil and sun exposure will help a tree thrive

Choosing the Right Tree, A Landowner's Guide to Putting Down Roots (PDF)

 Updates

January 17, 2023 - INVENTORY UPDATE - On Monday January 23, 2023 at 9:00am we will be updating the order form to offer additional hardwoods.  Species will include Choke Cherry, Red Osier Dogwood, Honey Locust, Ohio Buckeye, and Black Walnut.   We anticipate these will sell out quickly as quantities are very limited.  Reminder! – The order form is not linked to inventory.  We do our best to fulfill all species and quantities requested, however they are NOT GUARANTEED.  

 

September 23, 2022 - Posted list of tree species available for the 2023 season.

 Planting Assistance 
Orders of 500+ seedlings have the option of asking for planting assistance. The Green Legacy Programme may be able to pair you with a local school group to help get all those trees in the ground. These orders may also be eligible for upgrades to potted stock. Let us know on your tree request form if you're interested.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
 
Q: When is the best time to submit a Tree Order Request?
Tree Order Requests open annually on October 1st. We suggest booking early for the best selection. We do our best to fulfill all species and quantities requested, however they are not guaranteed.
Q: Why are there different species available each year?
The diversity of species we grow, and how much, is affected by nature and the production of seeds. To propagate our new tree seedlings, we start them from seeds. When nature does not cooperate, please understand that we are doing our best to grow what we can and see that it is appropriately distributed to all of the Programme participants.
Q: How big are the seedlings that are distributed?
Seedlings average 15-40cm. Their height varies greatly depending on the species. There can also be a variety of sizes within each bundle.
Q: Are there any rules for where I can plant my trees?
Trees must be planted in Wellington County. Provided they are on your own property, you are free to plant the trees wherever you like. Keep in mind that some places are generally inappropriate to plant; i.e. on septic beds or under power lines.
Q: Does The Green Legacy Programme offer assistance with planting?
Orders of 500+ trees have the option of asking for planting assistance. The Green Legacy Programme may be able to pair you with a local school group to help get all those trees in the ground. These orders may also be eligible for upgrades to potted stock. Let us know on your tree request form if you are interested.
Q: What can I do if I place a Tree Order Request and do not receive all the trees I wanted?

You are automatically placed on a waiting list for all of the seedlings that are unavailable to meet your request. If there are unclaimed trees at the end of our distribution, you will be notified if we can offer any of those seedlings to fulfill your original request.

The Green Legacy Programme offers free seedlings annually. You can always place another request next year.
Q: How do I plant and take care of my trees?

Download our Planting and Care Instructions

Other Useful Tree Links: