TORONTO, April 28, 2026 – From late April to early May, several parts of the Greater Toronto Area are entering the peak season for spring free tree giveaways and related environmental events. Markham has announced that free tree seedlings will be distributed on May 2 and May 3 at Milliken Mills Park, while Mississauga has also released registration details for free tree and shrub giveaways, with some events requiring advance sign-up. For Chinese homeowners living in detached or semi-detached homes who want to improve their yards or plant a tree in the backyard, the most important things to confirm first are whether they qualify, whether advance registration is needed, and whether the tree can actually be planted safely once brought home.
The timing and location of Markham’s current giveaway are relatively clear. According to the city’s Earth Month page, the free tree seedling distribution will take place on May 2 and May 3 at Milliken Mills Park, with both events running from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. For families planning to go this weekend, it is wise to confirm before leaving whether the event is still proceeding as scheduled and whether there are quantity limits on site.
In Mississauga, the city’s Earth Days information released on April 2 says that free tree or shrub giveaways will continue this year for city residents and generally require advance registration. Public information also notes that one giveaway event was already held on April 22 at 3240 Mavis Road, and another is scheduled for June 6 at Clarkson Park. In other words, for Mississauga families, these resources are not simply a matter of showing up and taking a tree home, but are more often distributed by event registration and resident eligibility.
These programs may look simple, but the part where problems most often arise is after the tree is brought home. Many homeowners see “free tree seedling” and first think about saving the cost of buying a tree, without first considering whether their yard has enough space, whether the species is suitable for the front or back yard, or whether the roots may end up too close to the foundation, fence, or underground infrastructure. For families planting a tree in their own Canadian yard for the first time, this is often the step most likely to be overlooked.
The most important step before planting is checking whether there are underground utilities below. Ontario has a free public service called Ontario One Call, which helps contact the relevant utility providers to determine whether there are gas lines, electrical lines, communications cables, or other underground facilities before digging. In other words, if you plan to dig in your front or back yard to plant a tree, do not start digging right away. You should first submit a request through the Ontario One Call website and wait until underground utility locations have been clearly identified. This service is free, and using it is also a legal requirement.
Ontario One Call says homeowners should ideally submit a request at least five business days before digging, so that the relevant parties have enough time to come and mark utility locations. For residents who are not comfortable using English-language websites, it may be easier to ask a family member to help complete the request first and then decide exactly where the tree should go. For many Chinese homeowners, it is far safer to finish this step first than to plant the tree and only later begin worrying about whether there might be a gas or electrical line underneath.
A more common real-life situation is that a family goes to the event and brings home a free tree seedling, only to discover afterward that the front yard is too small, the backyard is too close to the fence, or no one has checked underground utilities yet. In that case, the tree may have been collected for free, but it still may not be possible to plant it right away, and the best planting window may even be missed because the household was not ready.
In addition to fully free giveaway programs, Markham also continues to work with LEAF on its Backyard Tree Planting Program, which offers subsidized trees and shrubs to property owners. For homeowners who do not manage to get a free seedling but still want to improve yard landscaping in a more planned way, that program is another option. However, it is not the same as a same-day free pickup event, so residents should make sure they understand whether they are looking at a free tree giveaway or a subsidized planting program.
For Chinese homeowners in the GTA preparing to apply for or collect a free tree seedling, the safer approach right now is to take three steps first: confirm whether your city has an event this week and whether advance registration is required; assess whether your front or back yard truly has a suitable planting space; and if you plan to dig and plant the tree, check underground utility locations through Ontario One Call in advance. That is much more practical than bringing the tree home first and only then deciding where to plant it, and it can reduce wasted trips, mistaken pickups, and later construction risks. (LJI by Yuanyuan)
