You can help make your community green while building Calgary’s urban forest with our Planting Incentive Program.
What is the Planting Incentive Program (PIP)?
Interested in adding trees to your street or community? Individuals, community associations and neighbourhood groups who are approved for the program can beautify their area with help from The City.
Here’s what’s included: As part of the PIP, the City will match 50 percent of the cost of a new tree to be planted on City-owned residential property in Calgary such as boulevards and streets. You can help choose the species and location of the tree, and once approved, the City will do all of the planning, digging and planting required. Once planted, the tree is officially City property, but you’ll get to enjoy it for years to come. Trees are always a great addition to any community – they help purify the air, add aesthetic appeal and provide valuable shade and protection, to name just a few benefits.
View a 
list of trees that can be planted.
How to apply
Print and complete the PIP Application Form and either fax it to 403-537-7505 or mail to:
Planting Incentive Program, Parks Urban Forestry
#75, PO Box 2100, Stn M,
Calgary, AB, T2P 2M5.
The application deadline is June 30 of each year. Applications are prioritized on a first-come, first-serve basis. To find out more, please contact us.
The City will review all applications, meet with applicants and provide recommendations on species and site locations. Upon confirmation of approval, an invoice will be issued for payment by the applicant. Time permitting, tree hole preparation will be done in the fall with planting in the following spring.
Planting Incentive Program guidelines
- Total group requests will be limited to a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 50 trees per community association area.
- Total group and individual requests will not exceed 50 trees per community association area.
- Tree(s) will be selected from a master list. These trees will be 50 to 60mm calliper in wire baskets (unless otherwise approved in writing). The actual selection will be approved based on existing trees, availability, other site conditions and developing or maintaining the integrity of the streetscape.
- Tree plantings may not be permitted in certain locations due to conflicts with utility services and other standard restrictions. To minimize potential conflicts with utilities or future development, a permit for street planting must be obtained. This permit is called a line assignment.
- The price includes a 50 to 60 mm tree, hole preparation, planting and the first initial watering.
- Planting will be limited to one tree per frontage and one tree per flankage for each residential property.
- All preparations, planting and initial watering will be done by The City or its designate. Ongoing maintenance including watering and tree well cleaning, but excluding pruning, will be responsibility of the residents.
- All community applications must show primary planting sites and one alternative site, where possible for the purpose of securing line assignments to avoid any conflicts with utilities.
- Communities and individuals in Calgary who have submitted applications but that were unsuccessful due to timing and supply will be placed at the top of the list for the next PIP tree planting cycle, subject to budget approval.
For more information regarding the Planting Incentive Program please contact us.
