A person fills a tree watering bag up from the hose

Adopt a tree

Every year, about 2,000 new trees in Vancouver are available for adoption, and they graduate from the program after 3 years.

Adoption in 3 easy steps

Choose your tree
Check your inbox for a welcome package
Let the tree care begin

Adopt your tree

Establishing young trees are key to keeping our city cool, beautiful, and livable. During the summer months in Vancouver, hot temperatures and dry spells can stress newly planted trees.

Help make sure young trees thrive. Join us in watering new trees in your neighborhood.

Vancouver’s young urban forest

Although the Park Board waters trees in the summer for the first 3 years after planting throughout the city, extra watering contributes to an even stronger, healthier urban forest.

When you commit to watering a young tree, you’re helping by:

Encouraging strong root systems, which are crucial for trees' long-term health and survival
Contributing to a healthy urban forest that provides habitat and absorbs extreme rainfall expected with climate change
Improving the shade in neighbourhoods and making outdoor spaces more comfortable to counteract climate change impacts

How to care for your tree

Program overview

Who can participate

This program is open to anyone who is willing and capable of regularly watering a street tree. If you already contribute by watering street trees in Vancouver, this is an opportunity to report your contributions to growing the urban tree canopy.

While this program is intended for everyone, we recommend that children are supervised while watering trees.

How to choose your tree

You can choose a tree by registering for the Adopt a City platform and selecting a tree on the map.

Every time you water, let us know by recording it on the Adopt a Tree platform page.

You may already be registered for the platform through our other programs such as Adopt-a-Catch Basin or Snow Angels.
When to water
- The best times to water are during summer dry spells when there hasn’t been rain for at least 4 days.
- Trees can be watered at any time using hand watering or drip irrigation, even during watering restrictions
- Water in the morning or evening – try to avoid watering during the middle of the day. This allows water to soak into the soil and reach the tree's roots without evaporating too quickly in the heat of the day.
How to water
Even if you don't sign up for adopt a tree, these are helpful tips for watering all trees in Vancouver.

Using a watering bag
- Watering bags will be supplied in limited quantities to those who register on the Adopt a Tree platform. Details on how to get your bag will be sent in the welcome email you receive after signing up.
- Place back of bag against trunk at the base of the tree. Do not hang or suspend bag by black strap.
- Wrap both sides around trunk until zippers meet. Zip both sides of bag together from bottom to top.
- Lift up tag at top of bag to expose fill opening. Insert water hose and begin filling for about 3 minutes or until full.
- Bag will empty in approximately 5 to 9 hours.
Using a bucket with holes
- Drill 2 to 3 small holes less than .5 centimeters in size in the bottom of a bucket
- Place bucket on the ground at the base of the tree
- Fill with water
- Let water slowly drain
- Place bucket on the other side of the tree and repeat
Hand watering
- Trees can be watered at any time if hand watering or using drip irrigation during watering restrictions. If using a hose, make sure you have an automated shut-off attachment.
- Ensure the area around a young tree’s base becomes soaked with water by slowly applying about 20 to 25 liters (5 to 7 gallons) of water.
- If you notice the water is running off the surface, slow down the watering so as much water as possible is absorbed into the ground.
Contact us or report an issue
Make a tree maintenance request or phone 3-1-1 if:
- Your watering bag has been damaged or stolen
- A tree has been damaged
- A tree shows signs of distress.
Do not prune your tree. Pruning is an essential part of tree care and must be done strategically by professionals.