NeighbourWoods
NeighbourWoods is a residential planting initiative developed to encourage citizens to help grow and preserve Kelowna’s urban forest. Kelowna residents can purchase up to two trees per household for the low price of $50 (plus GST) each.
By purchasing and planting a tree through NeighbourWoods, you're making a positive impact on the environment. Since 2010, residents have purchased more than 8,300 discounted trees to plant on their properties. To learn more about the benefits of urban trees, visit our Urban trees page.
NeighbourWoods - Spring 2026
- Tree sales dates: Tuesday, April 7 – Wednesday, April 29 (or until trees are sold out)
- Pick-up event: Wednesday, May 6 from 11 am. - 7 p.m. at Mission Recreation Park
- Cost: $50 + GST per tree
A rugged prairie-native oak growing 15–20 m tall and 12–15 m wide, with a strong, spreading crown. Water regularly for the first few years; once established it’s highly drought‑ and alkaline‑tolerant and thrives in well‑drained to moderately heavy soils. Best in full sun, away from high-traffic turf to protect roots. The standout feature is its massive, corky-branched character and exceptional longevity, offering durable shade and outstanding wildlife value (acorns for birds and small mammals).
A narrow, formal linden ideal for streets and smaller yards, attaining 12–15 m tall and 5–6 m wide. Water regularly to establish, then moderate; tolerates urban conditions and alkaline, well‑drained soils. Best in full sun with room for deep roots. The standout feature is its strongly uniform, columnar shape and sweetly fragrant, pale-yellow flowers in early summer that attract bees, adding both structure and pollinator value.
A resilient, long-lived urban tree reaching 15–20 m tall and 8–12 m wide with a broad pyramidal crown over time. Water regularly for establishment, then low to moderate; ginkgo tolerates drought, heat, salt, and varied soils (best in well‑drained, neutral to slightly alkaline sites). Plant in full sun for best form and color. The standout feature is the spectacular golden fall foliage and distinctive fan‑shaped leaves, making it a true showpiece with excellent city hardiness
A dependable, shade-casting urban tree to 12–18 m tall and 10–12 m wide. Water regularly for the first 2–3 years; once established it’s very drought, wind, salt, and pollution‑tolerant, thriving in well‑drained, alkaline to neutral soils. Best in full sun where it develops a broad canopy. The standout feature is its distinctive, corky bark and bird‑friendly berries, delivering strong habitat value and toughness where other trees struggle.
A small, tough ornamental tree to 6–7 m tall and 5–6 m wide, well-suited to urban lots. Water moderately the first few years; once established, it’s fairly drought-tolerant and handles alkaline, well-drained soils common in the Okanagan. Thrives in full sun and tolerates wind and cold. The standout feature is its showy, cherry‑red samaras (winged seeds) in summer that glow against green foliage, providing color when most trees aren’t flowering.
A compact ornamental tree to 6–8 m tall and 4–6 m wide that performs reliably in urban settings. Water moderately during establishment; afterward it’s quite drought‑tolerant in well‑drained, slightly alkaline soils. Prefers full sun and avoids heavy, wet sites. The standout feature is its huge, creamy-white flower clusters in early summer, fragrant, pollinator-friendly, and perfectly timed after spring blooms have faded.
* 1 Ivory Silk Tree Lilac tree per address.
A slim, vertical birch that fits tight spaces, maturing to 10–12 m tall and only 3–4 m wide. Needs consistent moisture in well‑drained soils; add mulch and deep water during hot, dry spells, birch have relatively shallow roots. Best in full sun; select a site with access to irrigation or a rain garden edge. Its standout feature is the strongly columnar form with bright, white bark, a striking, four-season accent that also provides light, dappled shade.
A classic shade tree reaching 15–20 m tall and 12–15 m wide, Sugar Maple prefers moist, well‑drained soils and regular watering, especially during the first 3–5 years; it is not very drought- or alkaline-tolerant, so avoid hot, reflected-heat sites. Best in full sun to light shade with slightly acidic to neutral soils; mulch helps conserve moisture in Kelowna’s dry summers. The standout feature is its brilliant fall color, glowing orange to red, that lights up the street each autumn.
If you don’t already have a recreation account, you will need to set one up by calling 250-469-8800. You can also pay by credit card over the phone by calling 250-469-8800, or visit the friendly staff at Parkinson Recreation Centre to pay by cash, debit or credit card.
Tree orders can be cancelled as long as there’s someone on the waitlist for a tree. A $10 cancellation fee will apply.
Detailed descriptions and photos can be found above.
Tree size will vary depending on the tree. Expect to receive a tree that is approximately six- to 12-feet tall.
If a tree variety has sold out, you can still waitlist for a tree online, by calling 250-469-8800, or in-person at Parkinson Recreation Centre. Payment is not required for waitlist.
Date: Wednesday, May 6th
Location: Mission Recreation Park, 4105 Gordon Dr
Time: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Please bring your receipt (if applicable), proof of residency and a vehicle that’s appropriate for transporting your tree(s). Trees not picked up will be considered donated to the City of Kelowna for public planting.
The following information is adapted from the International Society of Arboriculture:
- The ideal time to plant trees is during the dormant season (fall or early spring)
- Exercise care in the storage and transportation of nursery stock to avoid stress or mechanical damage. Lift the tree by the root ball instead of the trunk. Don't allow roots to dry out.
- Before digging, locate all underground utility wires. Call (800) 474-6886. Please try to plant the tree where it will shade your home.
- Dig a shallow, broad planting hole, with the hole widest at the top and sloping sides; at least 450-600mm (18-24 in) wider than the root ball diameter (or three to fives times wider than root ball diameter in compacted soils). Dig only to the same depth as the root ball. Identify the trunk flare (point where the roots spread at the base of the tree) to determine the proper depth of the hole.
- Water tree in pot. Remove the pot. Score and loosen the roots. Place the tree in the hole, at the proper height. Don't plant the tree lower than the trunk flare; it's better to plant a few inches higher than the trunk flare to allow for some settling. Straighten the tree and gently backfill the hole.
- When backfilling, use the same soil that came out of the hole; if a different type of soil is used to fill the hole, this may result in problems with drainage around the root ball. If the native soil is extremely poor, topsoil or soil amendments may be necessary, but mix at least 50 per cent of the native soil in with any additional amendments; topsoil should match the same texture as the native soil and the hole should be much wider to allow for growth.
- Firm the soil but don't pack. Water thoroughly. Remaining soil may be mounded into a berm to collect water in the root zone (leave a gap in the berm if the soil is clay). Fertilizer application at the time of planting isn't recommended.
- Stake the tree only if necessary, as staked trees tend to develop weaker trunks and smaller root systems. Remove support staking after the first year of growth to avoid girdling the stem.
- Mulch the base of the tree with 50- 100mm (2-4 in) of organic matter (e.g. straw, bark, peat moss, wood chips, leaf litter) to hold in moisture and protect against extreme soil temperatures. Keep mulch at least 25-50mm (1-2 in) away from the trunk to prevent decay. Don't apply too much mulch.
- Water the tree for the first three years of establishment, about once a week during the growing season (more often during hot weather). Keep the soil moist but not soaked.
- Prune sparingly after planting; corrective pruning should not be done until the tree has experienced a full year of new growth
- Tree spacing will vary depending upon the geometry of the site and landscaping objectives. Consider the volume of soil available to each tree. If the soil volume is too low, then trees will be competing with each other for available water and nutrients. Keep in mind the mature size of the tree so that tree canopies won't become too closely packed as they grow.
- The three main reasons trees die after transplanting are underwatering, overwatering and when they're planted too deeply
