Ottawa is falling short on its tree planting goals

As the City of Ottawa grows, the need for an urban tree canopy is perhaps higher than ever. But is the Capital on target to reach its goals? The answer is both yes and no. 

New data released by the city shows that while the number of trees is growing, it's still falling short of the city’s 40 per cent canopy coverage goal. What used to be at 34 per cent has risen to 36 per cent between 2017 and 2022. 

Much of that growth has come from rural areas, with eight neighbourhoods in urgent need of more trees. Somerset Ward had the lowest numbers at 14 per cent. Barrhaven East was at 16 per cent, with Barrhaven West and Stittsville both at 17 per cent. Kanata South and Knoxdale-Merivale were each at 20 per cent. 

College Ward was on target with 40 per cent. Rideau-Jock was slightly higher at 41 per cent coverage area and West Carleton-March was 43 per cent. 

A total of 14 municipal wards had their tree canopy reduced during the five-year period. Urban areas saw their canopy decline from 21.5 per cent to 20.6 per cent. 

The data was also broken down to 201 distinct neighbourhoods. Only Rockcliffe Park, Wateridge Village at Rockcliffe and Rothwell Heights scored a full 100 points.. 

The environmental impact 

William van Geest, executive director of Ecology Ottawa, a group that is demanding better environmental action in the city, said that with climate change and extreme weather patterns upon us, there has never been a more important time to plant more trees. 

“One of our main criticisms with this report is that we're just not moving fast enough, nor are we seeing evidence that the city plans to move at adequately high speeds to increase the tree canopy,” he told the Ottawa Lookout. 

 “Anytime there's a flood in Ottawa, we see the evidence right before our eyes. When you pave over what would otherwise be permeable space, there becomes an inadequate number of trees to absorb rainwater and extreme levels of water.”

Ottawa has been hit with a number of severe weather events in recent years, which has drastically hurt the tree canopy. In 2018, three tornadoes tore through the Capital, causing a sea of destruction in Arlington Woods, Craig Henry, Dunrobin, and parts of Gatineau. It led to the almost complete destruction of Bruce Pit, though there have been some reforestation efforts.

In 2022, the Derecho took out more than 2,500 trees on city-owned land alone. With wind gusts of 190 km/h, 1,890 hectares of urban forests were lost, including 70 per cent of the tree canopy on NCC land — especially the Pinhey Forest. 

There have also been some massive clearcuts of forests, including on Tewin land in the east end and off Hunt Club Drive near the Ottawa Airport. 

Van Geest points out that planting new trees alone won’t make Ottawa a greener city. He said more work is also needed to preserve existing, mature trees which have taken decades to grow. While the city has bylaws and planners to protect existing greenery, the Ecology Ottawa executive director said loopholes are often found.

“We also need to integrate more trees into road designs.  I know the Official Plan calls for trees to be planted when there are integrated renewals, but we could be seeing more. Albert and Slater, for example, had trees in the drawings. But you go by today and it's just pavement,” said Van Geest.

And when the trees are incorporated, they don't always survive due to a lack of care. Some trees planted along Bank Street near Lamira Street in the spring have already died due to the lack of watering. Other times, the wrong type of trees are chosen, which are not suitable for their urban environment. 

The last Urban Forest Management Plan update confirmed the city is underfunding environmental efforts. Van Geest said if Ottawa were serious about meeting its 40 per cent coverage goal, it would put more funding into the portfolio. 

How local organizations are supporting tree planting efforts 

Ecology Ottawa is doing its own part by offering seedlings at community events across the city with instructions on how to care for the young trees. It is also planting four pollinator gardens across the city, including at elementary schools and at Carleton University. 

Some groups like Gentle Ways for Our Planet has been doing its part to reforest urban areas and have launched community tree plantings in areas like at Neil Nesbitt Park in Barrhaven East, where 125 native saplings were planted in fall 2022. A year later, they planted another 325 trees at Mowat Farm Park. They now have their sights set on Centretown for future planting endeavours. 

“Forest benefits are very well known now. Their physical health advantages and mental health advantages are very well known through research. Walking in nature is extremely beneficial to your health,” Gentle Ways for our Planet founder Aida Warah previously told the Lookout. “Under the climate change vision, we also can’t underestimate the importance of trees for cooling effects.”

What happens next 

Starting next year in 2026 and continuing through 2027, the city says it will begin to plant more trees in priority neighbourhoods including: Dalhousie – Rochester Heights; Centretown – Bank Street; East Industrial-Sheffield Glen-Russell Heights; Cummings-Cyrville; Carlington-Belleview-Lepage-Caldwell; Heron Gate and Heatherington; Bayshore; and Old Barrhaven East-Rodeo Drive.

Community consultations will also be done to hear directly from residents and local neighbourhood groups.

“Each neighbourhood will be reviewed to understand its specific challenges and opportunities, with input from ward Councillors, community groups, social services, and residents. This consultation will ensure trees are planted where they are most needed and wanted,” a community memo read.