MARCH 10TH, 2021 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Markham ON - Markham residents who are starting to think about Spring planting can benefit from a City of Markham partnership with the Regional Municipality of York that offers deeply discounted trees through Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF). There are two options with LEAF, the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Tree Planting or full services planting. The DIY Program offers customers a virtual consultation with an arborist and contactless delivery of the tree so they can plant it themselves.
Endorsed by Markham's Trees for Tomorrow initiative, the LEAF Backyard Tree Planting Program offers native trees to residential, multi-unit and commercial property owners for a subsidized price. Through the program, a certified LEAF arborist will consult with the customer either in-person with a physically distanced visit, or through a virtual consultation to help them select the best species and most suitable planting location.
Through the partnership, Markham property owners pay only $50 (+HST) for each evergreen tree and $100 (+HST) for each deciduous tree chosen from a select species list. The fee also includes tree delivery and, if the resident chooses, full-service tree planting. Learn more or book an arborist at www.yourleaf.org or 1.888.453.6504.
"Spring is upon us and the City of Markham is proud to partner with York Region to offer the LEAF Backyard Tree Planting program to further advance our green initiatives," said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “The program supports our environmental and sustainability objectives and allows for the enhancement of our tree canopy that offers wonderful benefits to our community. I encourage residents to participate in this exciting program."
“A few years back, I lost a lot of ash trees on my property due to the emerald ash borer ad wanted to replace them,” says David Wannop, a City of Markham resident. “In the last two years, I have planted 10 trees using LEAF’s DIY program. The arborist helped me pick out the right trees for my property and the trees were delivered right to my door. I came home from work and there they were. It was seamless!”
March is an ideal time to choose and order trees so they are ready for when the soil warms up. It is also the perfect time for residents to upgrade their gardens by planting a tree. After planting, LEAF will provide follow-up tree care advice either by phone or online so they can stay healthy and thrive.
“We make native tree planting easy, fun and accessible to all property owners! If you’re looking for affordable DIY projects that will beautify your property, check out our Do-It-Yourself Tree Planting Program which includes a virtual consultation with one of our certified arborists and contactless delivery,” said Janet McKay, Executive Director of LEAF.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti's Office: Bryan Frois, Chief of Staff at bfrois@markham.ca or 416.567.1177.
For all other media inquiries / interview requests for the City of Markham:
Jennifer Yap, Coordinator, Communications and Media Relations at jyap@markham.ca or 437.229.2450.
Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF):
Janet McKay, Executive Director at janet@yourleaf.org or 647.883.5777.
About Markham: Markham, an award-winning municipality with over 351,000 residents and the largest of nine communities in York Region, is home to over 650 corporate head offices and more than 1,500 high tech and life science companies. Markham is a leader in attracting foreign direct investment with more than 240 foreign companies located in the City. Founded in the 1790s, today Markham is Canada’s most diverse community and enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and services, and a vibrant local economy. Markham has received the Excellence Canada Gold Award for Organizational Quality & Healthy Workplace, and multiple heritage and environmental awards.
About LEAF: LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection and improvement of the urban forest and engages citizens in urban forest stewardship through planting, education and training. LEAF offers a subsidized Backyard Tree Planting Program for private property. The program is supported by the City of Toronto, the Regional Municipality of York, the City of Markham, the Town of Newmarket, the Regional Municipality of Durham, the Town of Ajax, the Township of Scugog, the City of Pickering, the City of Oshawa, the Town of Whitby, Ontario Trillium Foundation and Ontario Power Generation.
