Over the past few months, the boroughs of Verdun, Lachine, and LaSalle have seen their landscapes transformed thanks to a large-scale tree planting operation.

Along the banks of the Saint Lawrence River, in parks, along streets, and within wooded areas, thousands of young saplings have been planted to revitalize spaces that were sometimes neglected or overly paved.

1,600 Trees in Verdun

According to the Verdun Borough’s projections, around 600 new trees will be planted in 2025 along streets and in parks, and more than 1,000 others in wooded areas, including the Saint-Paul woodland and the riverside zone of Nuns’ Island.

Since 2022, 6,500 trees have been planted on Verdun’s public land, according to the planting and felling report presented at the borough council on May 6.

The borough has thus completed its goal of planting 5,000 trees by 2025.Even accounting for felled trees, the balance remains positive (5,400 new trees).

800 Trees in Lachine

The Lachine Borough has also planted a new generation of 254 trees to replace aging trees along the waterfront.

At René-Lévesque Park, a contract awarded by the City of Montreal enabled the planting of nearly 570 trees.

The borough also reports having protected its large trees from beavers using metal mesh.

300 Trees in LaSalle

The LaSalle Borough is currently planting around 300 trees along the river, from the western edge of LaSalle to the eastern edge of Rapides Park.

The borough is planting trees along the riverbank, the Aqueduct Canal, around the Octogone Library, on the city hall grounds, and in front of city-owned residences.

This initiative is part of a municipal effort to make neighborhoods more resilient to climate change.

Trees, in addition to their aesthetic role, play a crucial part in thermal regulation, filtering air pollutants, and preserving local wildlife.

Citizens are encouraged to take ownership of these new green spaces, participate in their upkeep, and turn them into places for gathering and relaxation.

Several community activities are planned to raise awareness among residents about the importance of trees in urban environments.

This project is a beautiful demonstration of what collective mobilization around the environment can achieve. It marks an important step toward a greener, healthier, and more inclusive Montreal.