In Montreal, the days of planting massive deciduous trees on private property have become a closed chapter of our urban history.

Once prized for their scale, these giants are now considered too bulky and fragile for the modern city. They are being replaced by a new generation of vegetation: smaller, strategically selected trees designed to form the urban canopy of the future.

These new allies are essential for sequestering greenhouse gases ($CO_2$) and cooling our increasingly scorching summers.

The Departure of the Fragile Giants

This spring, the call for greening comes with a stern warning: the "giants" are now restricted. Ash trees (decimated by the emerald ash borer), poplars, and the iconic silver maple—which can reach heights of 25 meters—are no longer welcome near residential structures.

Too large for restricted urban lots, their roots threaten foundations, sewage lines, and pools, while their heavy branches pose a constant risk to the electrical grid.

At the former Blue Bonnets raceway, a "micro-forest" serves as a nursery for this transition.

Here, the next generation is being prepped: conifers over 100 cm tall are ready for transplanting, alongside junipers and other hardy species. It is a lesson in resilience; some specimens, yellowed by the intense sun rather than the cold, receive specialized care before being sent to their forever homes in residential neighborhoods.

A Surge in Popularity and Participation

Since 2013, the non-profit organization Soverdi, in partnership with local eco-neighborhoods (éco-quartiers), has made biodiversity accessible.

This year marks a major milestone: the "A Tree for My Neighborhood" campaign has expanded to businesses and institutions. Schools, hospitals, and churches can now purchase up to 10 trees to green their communal spaces.

The public response has been overwhelming. With over 60 species offered (red maples, serviceberries, magnolias, fruit trees), the campaign has already facilitated the planting of 34,000 trees across Montreal’s boroughs and related municipalities.

Economic Impact and Allocated Budgets

Investing in a tree is more than an aesthetic choice; it is a calculated financial move for the community:

• Budgetary Support: The City of Montreal recently allocated over $3.5 million to Soverdi to support planting efforts on private and institutional lands.

• Ecosystem Services: Experts estimate that Montreal’s urban forest provides approximately $4 million in annual savings in public services, including reduced stormwater runoff, improved air quality, and significant energy savings on summer cooling.

• Maintenance as Investment: A young tree requires roughly 40 liters of water per day during its first two years—a crucial time investment to ensure the survival of the initial capital.

Social Impact: Equity and Health

Beyond the balance sheet, the social impact is profound. Greening initiatives are a primary tool in the fight against urban heat islands, particularly in lower-income neighborhoods where the canopy is traditionally sparse.

By aiming to increase the canopy cover to 26%–30% in the coming years, Montreal is directly investing in public health, reducing heat-related illnesses and lowering urban stress levels.

Expert Guidance for Homeowners

To navigate the complex web of municipal bylaws—such as the ban on ash trees or the strict 15-meter setback required for silver maples—Soverdi offers digital horticultural coaching. "With just a few clicks on our site, citizens can be guided toward the right species for their specific lot," says Jessyca Farrugia, Director of Communications and Strategic Development for the organization.

Planting a tree today is an act of resilience over vanity. It is an acknowledgment that Montreal’s future will not be built on vulnerable giants, but on a diverse, agile, and sustainable forest.

Accueil - Soverdi