Brant Plants

Trees help regulate temperature, absorb CO2, enhance the beauty of our parks, provide homes for wildlife, increase property values, create walkable neighborhoods, and improve water quality. The County of Brant values these benefits and encourages tree planting for a healthier, greener community.

On this page:

Funding for Brant Plants
Brant Plants Tree Sale
Caring for your Tree
Tree Planting Community Event
Tree Planting Programs

Funding for Brant Plants

The County of Brant is proud to announce that it has been awarded $79,440 in funding by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund (GMF) Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative, financed by the Government of Canada and administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).

This funding will support a two-year community tree planting initiative that will help strengthen Brant’s urban forest canopy, enhance biodiversity, and promote climate resilience. Planting will take place in the fall of 2025 and spring of 2026, across parks, cemeteries, and natural spaces throughout the County, focusing on areas with lower canopy cover and higher population density. Watch for the "Trees are being planted soon!" signs being placed around the County.

Native species such as tulip trees, maples, oaks, elms, and dogwoods will be planted for their ability to thrive in local conditions and support wildlife and pollinators.

Brant Plants Tree Sale

Thank you for participating in the 2025 Brant Plants Tree Sale! We look forward to bringing this back in 2026!

This program supports the County of Brant Climate Action Plan. Let’s grow a greener future together!

Brant Plants trees:

American Sycamore

A large deciduous tree
Can grow up to 100 feet (30 meters) tall or more
Distinctive mottled bark that flakes off to reveal white, tan, and greenish patches
Tolerant of wet soils and commonly found along streams and rivers
Prefers full sun for optimal growth

Autumn Blaze Maple

A naturally occurring hybrid of Ontario's native Silver Maple and Red Maple
Reaches a height of approximately 52 ft. (16 m) and a width of 43 ft. (13 m)
Adaptable to various growing conditions
Displays stunning orange foliage in autumn
Should be planted away from utility lines

Downy Serviceberry

Small to medium-sized tree or large shrub
Typically grows up to 15–25 feet (4.5–7.5 meters) tall
Bark is gray and smooth when young, becoming slightly ridged with age
Prefers well-drained soil but tolerates a range of conditions
Grows best in full sun to partial shade

Eastern Redbud

A versatile ornamental tree or large shrub, perfect for home landscapes
Reaches a height of about 27 ft. (8m)
Flourishes in a variety of conditions, from moist to dry soils, with partial shade to full sun
Tolerates most soil types except waterlogged areas
Showcases stunning pink and purple blossoms in spring
For optimal flowering, plant in full sun

Paper Birch

Also known as White Birch
A moderately sized tree
Grows up to 80 feet (25 meters) tall
Features thin, smooth white bark that peels in large sheets
Adaptable to different moisture levels and soil types
Thrives in full sunlight

Sugar Maple

A tall deciduous tree reaching up to 115 feet (35 meters)
Flourishes in moist, deep, and nutrient-rich soil
Can tolerate shade but thrives best in full sunlight
Offers cool shade in summer and vibrant yellow foliage in fall
Should be planted away from utility lines

Swamp White Oak

A medium to large deciduous tree
Can grow up to 60–80 feet (18–24 meters) tall
Bark is grayish-brown and becomes deeply ridged with age
Tolerant of wet, poorly drained soils but also adaptable to drier conditions
Prefers full sun for optimal growth

Tulip Tree

A large, fast-growing deciduous tree
Can reach heights of up to 100 feet (30 meters)
Distinctive, tulip-shaped leaves and vibrant yellow-green flowers
Prefers well-drained, moist soils but adapts to various conditions
Requires full sun for optimal growth

White Pine

A large coniferous tree
Can grow up to 100 feet (30 meters) or more in height
Has soft, flexible needles grouped in clusters of five
Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil but tolerates various conditions
Grows best in full sun to partial shade

Caring for your Tree

It is important to care for newly planted trees for the first two to three years while they become established.

Planting Your Tree

Timing: Best times for planting are during the dormant seasons – early spring or late fall

Location: Choose a spot with appropriate sunlight and shelter from strong winds

Planting Steps:

1. Dig a hole twice the width or the root ball and as deep as the root ball itself

2. Place the tree in the hole, ensuring the root flare is at ground level

3. Backfill with soil, gently tamping down

4. Water thoroughly after planting

How to water your new tree

Water the tree twice a week until November or when the ground freezes
Adjust watering based on weather conditions. Water the tree less during a rainy season and more during drought and hot seasons
Don’t water the tree if there’s early snowfall or if the ground is frozen

How to mulch your new tree

1. Choose the right mulch: Organic mulches like wood chips and bark are commonly used

2. Prepare the Area: Remove any grass, weeds or debris from around the base of the tree. This prevents competition for water and nutrients

3. Apply the Mulch: Apply a layer of mulch 2 to 4 inches thick. Too thin of a layer may not be adequately suppress weeds or retain moisture, while too thick a layer can cause problems like root rot

4. Keep mulch away from the trunk: Mulch should be placed in a donut shape around the truck of the tree to help retain moisture and reduce weeds. Avoid creating a “mulch volcano” which is a mound of mulch piled against the trunk

Additional Tips

Staking: only stake if necessary and remove stakes after one to two years
Protect young trees from animals and lawn equipment with a physical barrier such as a mulch ring, chicken wire around the base or tree guards
Be careful when cutting the lawn around the base of the tree as young bark can be easily injured
Do not plant flowers around the base of the tree as it can create competition for resources between the tree and other plants
Tying rope, string or other objects around trunks and branches can injure newly planted trees

Tree Planting Community Event

Help us grow a greener future! Join us in Mount Pleasant this fall as we plant 450 new trees together. No registration required—just drop in and bring along the supplies listed below.

Date: Saturday, October 18

Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Location: Mount Pleasant Nature Park, 755 Mount Pleasant Road

What to Bring:

Shovel
Gloves
Closed-toe footwear
Rainwear

Come out, get your hands in the soil, and be part of this exciting community effort!

Special thanks to the Mount Pleasant Optimist Club, the Grand River Conservation Authority and Brant Tree Coalition for their time and efforts!

Tree Planting Programs

Commemorative Tree Planting

Planting a tree in a public park is a beautiful way to remember a loved one or celebrate a life event. Commemorative trees can only be planted in parks and include the installation of a plaque. Applicants may request a specific park location for their commemorative tree to be reviewed and approved by the County of Brant Forestry Division. Visit our Memorialization webpage for more information.

Infill Tree Planting

The County of Brant manages the planting of new trees on boulevards, in parks and cemeteries throughout the County. These trees are planted in areas that not managed by any adjacent landowners.

New Subdivision Tree Planting

In newly constructed subdivisions, the developer or the builder is responsible for street tree planting. Developers are required to submit a street tree planting plan to the County of Brant for approval. The selection and placement of the trees in a new subdivision is based on County of Brant specifications.