Is DIY Right for You?

Our Policies

We are dedicated to growing our urban forest by getting the right trees in the right places with the right care. This means that we have some unique policies you should know about:

  • LEAF only provides species native to southern Ontario that suit your site conditions. Species choice may be limited based on your soil type, available sunlight and geographic region. See LEAF's complete Species Offered list.
  • LEAF may limit the number of trees and shrubs we can deliver to your property based on your municipality’s policies, the age of your property and/or the space you have available for planting.
  • LEAF only delivers trees and shrubs through our Do-It-Yourself program. If you wish to have LEAF do the planting in your backyard or fenced-in side yard, please use our Full Service program.
  • LEAF is unable to take scheduling requests for delivery. To maintain the most efficient (and eco-friendly!) delivery routes, we schedule delivery dates based on geographic location. Check out the Delivery tab for more details.
  • LEAF does not consult or deliver to sites where major landscaping or construction is underway or will be underway soon. All major work must be completed prior to your virtual consultation and delivery. Check out the Before We Deliver tab for more details.

Please be sure to read through the Ordering & Cancellation and Our Guarantee, Your Commitment sections below for more detailed policies that apply.

©2017 Brenna Anstett / LEAF

Space Requirements

Trees and shrubs require space below ground for root development and above ground for crown development. We will help you select appropriate species for your property based on the available space.

Your planting site must meet the following minimum space requirements. Please note, more space may be required for larger species:

Site Conditions Shrubs SMALL Trees Med-Large Trees
Area of soft surface required 5' x 5' 10' x 10'  15' x 15'
Distance from fence/property line 3' 5' 5'
Distance from hard surfaces (deck/paving) 3' 5' 7'
Distance from buildings with foundations 3' 10' 10'
Distance from existing trees 8' 15' 20'
Distance from stumps or existing ash trees 8' 8' 8'
Distance from swales 5' 5' 5'
Overhead wires not an issue avoid avoid
Raised beds or container planting not recommended never never

For more information on why these space requirements exist, please click here.

Your Virtual Consultation

Planting your Tree

Our Guarantee, Your Commitment

Book Your Virtual Consultation

Ready to get started?

If your property meets our minimum spacing requirements, get ready to complete our online application!

Please note: if you do not own the property, you should have the property owner present for the virtual consultation, or have them sign our Property Owner Permission Form to ensure that delivery/planting has been authorized for the property. The form must be submitted prior to your virtual consultation.

Please watch our short video below to learn more about how to assess your property. After watching the video, you are ready to complete our online application!

Once we receive your application, we will contact you to book your virtual consultation with on of our arborists.

Get started!

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