Re-Leaf Community Tree Nursery

Re-Leaf Community
Tree Nursery

Empowering Communities, Growing Re-Leaf

Re-Leaf Niagara is an urban canopy initiative dedicated to greening our cities.

Through our native tree nursery, we cultivate high-quality native trees from seedlings and pair them with passionate community mentors and local recipients to establish thriving urban forests.

Shop Our Webstore & Support Local Reforestation

Our nursery doubles as a vital fundraising and educational hub.

When you purchase a tree from our online store, your purchase funds nursery operations, supports small-scale community planting projects and powers educational workshops.

Our Commitment to the Land

Land Care Niagara’s tree nursery is situated on Treaty and Traditional Territory lands.

We recognize that these lands were first stewarded by Indigenous communities, including the Hatiwendaronk, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

Land Care Niagara holds the deepest respect for all Indigenous Peoples and stands alongside them in promoting responsible stewardship of the lands on which we live, work, and play.

How to Plant for Success: A Quick Guide for Your Yard

Thinking about adding a new tree to your property?

Follow these essential steps to give your native tree the best possible start and ensure years of healthy growth.

1. Right Tree, Right Place

Before digging, consider the mature height and canopy width of your chosen species. Ensure the site matches its specific requirements for sunlight or shade.

2. Prepare the Hole

Dig a hole 2 to 3 times wider than the rootball. Roughen the sides and bottom of the hole with your shovel to help the roots easily penetrate the surrounding soil.

3. Position & Backfill

Fill the hole using the loosened native soil, breaking up any large clumps. Always check that the root collar (where the trunk meets the roots) sits slightly above ground level.

5. Settle the Soil

Lightly step around the base of the tree to eliminate hidden air pockets without compacting the dirt too tightly.

5. Deep Hydration

Give your new tree a thorough soaking immediately after planting. Continue watering once a week, increasing to 2 to 3 times a week during hot summer spells or drought conditions.

6. Mulch Like a Donut (Not a Volcano!)

Apply a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch around the base. Shape it like a donut to trap moisture, keeping the mulch away from the trunk itself to prevent bark rot.

Land Care Niagara operates within the boundaries of what is now known as the Niagara Region, and we take this moment to recognize the significance of these lands and the Indigenous Peoples that have lived here since time immemorial. The Niagara Region is situated on treaty and traditional land, carrying the rich culture of the Hatiwendaronk, the Haudenosaunee, and the Anishinaabe, encompassing First Nations such as the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Six Nations of the Grand River. We also pay respect to the diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples from across Turtle Island who live and work in Niagara today. In our commitment to creating a healthy and sustainable environment, we stand in solidarity with all Indigenous peoples, both past, present and future who are advocating for the wise stewardship of the lands we inhabit. We recognize the cultural and historical harm inflicted by colonization on Indigenous peoples, resulting in generational trauma, stolen land and systemic injustices. In light of this continuous history and understanding our role as Treaty People on Turtle Island, may we dedicate ourselves to moving forward in the spirit of partnership, collaboration, and reconciliation together.