ReLeaf program working to regrow Winnipeg’s tree canopy

Winnipeg residents are branching out when it comes to diversifying the city’s tree population.

Winnipeg residents are branching out when it comes to diversifying the city’s tree population.

A sale through Trees Winnipeg’s ReLeaf program gave people an opportunity to pre-order a variety of trees like Amur maples, dwarf pines, and Japanese tree lilacs.

Around 400 trees were picked up Saturday at Bronx Park Community Centre.

“We try to mix it up, some smaller trees people can plant in their smaller yard as well as those big shade trees that people can plant in a big lot,” said Christian Cassidy, executive director of Trees Winnipeg.

The trees are grown in the province and are selected by Trees Winnipeg arborists to ensure they will thrive in Manitoba. 

According to the city, around 8,000 trees are lost in Winnipeg each year because of age, disease, and other debilitating factors.

"Even people who aren’t tree people have become tree people very recently, because the tree on their boulevard that they took for granted all these decades is suddenly cut down or marked with an orange dot,” Cassidy explained.