Planting Trees
Help grow Surrey’s urban forest by planting a tree! Plant a tree in your yard, grab a tree voucher, or join a Releaf planting event.
Planting Trees in Your Yard
Planting trees can increase your property value, help the environment, provide shade and insulation for your home, and make your neighbourhood more livable.
It’s important to choose the right tree for your yard, and to plant it properly to increase its chance of survival and health.
Learn more from the International Society of Arboriculture on planting a tree in your backyard and remember to water your trees regularly to keep them growing and healthy.
Call Before You Dig!
Are there any utilities (gas, water, sewer, electric) below ground that need to be identified? Don't be so sure you know the answer. Call 1-800-474-6886 or *6886 on your cell to find out.
Planting Replacement Trees
Replacement trees must be planted for all trees removed from private property. Trees must have an issued tree cutting permit before they can be removed.
When you pick up your Tree Cutting Permit, you must also put down a $550 security deposit for each replacement tree. We collect this deposit to make sure replacement trees are planted and maintained during their important first year.
We will return your $550 in a two-stage process to make sure the replacement trees planted will survive and grow to maturity.
Resources
Replacement Tree Inspection
Once you have planted your replacement tree(s), book your inspection on our inspection line at 604-591-4675 or online. Half, or 50% of the replacement tree securities is eligible for release once an inspection is completed, and your tree is accepted by the inspector.
One year after your first inspection, you will need to book your second inspection. The second 50% of your deposit will be refunded upon successful inspection.
See the our Guide to Selecting and Planting Replacement Trees to be prepared for each visit.
Tree Sale Program
In 2021, the City will be hosting 4 tree sales, starting in March. Residents will be able to pre-purchase trees online, and then schedule a time to pick up their trees. The upcoming tree sales will temporarily replace our popular tree voucher program, which has been suspended due to COVID-19.
Tree Voucher Program
Due to COVID-19, tree voucher sales are suspended until further notice. We will update the website when sales resume. Thank you for your understanding.
If you're a Surrey resident, you can participate in our tree voucher program. This means you can purchase a tree to plant on your property, for a reduced cost.
Tree voucher program details:
- for Surrey residents only
- resident wishing to purchase voucher, must present themselves in person to City Hall.
- to be used only towards tree purchase
- limited to 1 voucher per household
- not to be used for shrubs, topiaries, dwarf trees, annuals, perennials, standards, weeping varieties or any other garden product.
- valid until March 1, 2020
Purchase a $25 voucher at the Building & Bylaws Customer Service Counter on the 2nd floor of Surrey City Hall, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:00pm. Cash, cheque or debit are accepted.
You can choose a tree worth up to $75 from participating nurseries. If the tree is over $75, you'll pay the difference.
Participating Nurseries
Art's Nursery Ltd.
8940 192 Street, Surrey, BC
Phone 604-882-1201 or email info@artsnursery.com
Hunters Garden Centre
15175 72 Avenue, Surrey, BC
Phone 604-590-2431 or email surreystore@huntersgardencentre.com
For more information on our Tree Voucher program, call us at 604-591-4675.
Releaf Tree Planting
Join one of our Releaf tree planting events each spring and fall.
Tree Sponsorship
Our sponsorship program is currently under review.
For details, contact us at stewardship@surrey.ca or 604-501-5175.