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You can buy a tree for $10 to help grow Vancouver's urban forest

The Park Board’s popular semi-annual tree sale starts today, Sep. 10, and that means residents can buy trees for just $10 each.

Calling all green thumbs, it’s time to plant trees.

The Park Board’s popular semi-annual tree sale starts today, Sep. 10, and that means residents can buy trees for just $10 each.

 The Park Board’s popular semi-annual tree sale starts today, Sep. 10, and that means residents can buy trees for just $10 each. Photo: ShutterstockThe Park Board’s popular semi-annual tree sale starts today, Sep. 10, and that means residents can buy trees for just $10 each. Photo: Shutterstock

There are 1500 trees available and plenty to choose from, including: 21 fruit, flowering and evergreen varieties of every shape and size, suitable for small balconies to large yards.

If you’re after patio container plants, the Park Board recommends the Orangeola Japanese maple and the golden threadleaf false cypress. For those who want fruit-bearing trees, the Little ruby fig, Italian honey fig, crimson passion cherry, and scarlet sentinel pillar apple are excellent for patio containers.

Stuart Mackinnon, Park Board Chair, says Vancouver’s urban forest plays many important roles including, cleaning the air, absorbing rainwater, providing bird habitat, and improving our health and well-being.

Mackinnon says planting on private property continues to be the biggest area of opportunity to replenish Vancouver’s vital tree canopy.

By October, the Park Board would have planted more than 125,000 new trees since 2010, enough to cover Stanley Park more than four times. About 55 per cent of the new trees were planted in streets and parks while 45 per cent were planted on private lands including backyards and development sites.

Trees can be purchased online at Vancouver Tree-sale and picked up at Hillcrest Centre on Saturday, September 21 from 10 am to 4 pm. A limited number of trees will be available on site for cash sale from 2 p.m. to­ 4 p.m. to Vancouver residents who miss out on the online bookings.

Buyers must bring proof of Vancouver residency, such as a driver’s licence or a recent bill showing their address.

The next tree sale takes place in spring 2020.