SNC Encourages Property Owners to Plan Now for Spring 2026 Tree Plantings
South Nation Conservation (SNC) is encouraging property owners to begin planning their tree planting projects for Spring 2026 this Fall. SNC is accepting seedling orders and scheduling free site visits, making this the perfect time to prepare sites, test soils, and secure preferred tree species before the busy planting season.
Through partnerships with Forests Canada and the City of Ottawa’s Green Acres Program, SNC offers affordable full-service tree planting that includes sourcing and delivering seedlings, site preparation, planting, and tending.
Through these partnerships, seedlings can be purchased at discounted rates and can cost as little as $1.11 for coniferous trees or $1.68 for deciduous trees, with additional grants available for rural landowners within Ottawa. Over-the-counter orders, where residents plant their own trees, are also available for smaller projects, with a minimum of
25 seedlings per order. The deadline for over-the-counter orders for Spring 2026 is December 1, 2025, or while supplies last.
To help landowners succeed, SNC staff provide free site visits to recommend tree species and planting plans tailored to local soil and site conditions. “We’re encouraging property owners to reserve their preferred trees this Fall - species sell out and having a plan in place means better success come Spring,” said SNC Forester Caroline Goulet. “A free site visit helps ensure everything from soil to species match up, so that trees planted next year thrive.”
New for the 2026 planting season, SNC will also begin selling planting materials at reduced rates that can help increase tree survival and long-term health, including tree shelters, trunk protectors, vegetation control mats,
and flags.
Additional funding and reduced landowner costs may also be available through a new Marginal Lands Initiative that offers up to 90% funding for stewardship projects, including:
- Planting trees and shrubs to improve soil and water health
- Establishing grasslands and pollinator-friendly habitats
- Installing vegetated buffers and fencing to protect waterways
- Restoring wetlands and creating water retention ponds
SNC’s forestry programs support a wide variety of environmental goals, including erosion control, cleaner air and water, increased biodiversity, wildlife habitat creation, and climate change mitigation. Since 1990, the Conservation Authority has planted more than four million trees across its jurisdiction, with thousands more scheduled for next spring.
In addition to tree planting, SNC offers free Woodlot Advisory Services, providing free forest management advice, maps, and grants to support sustainable woodlot care.
For information on SNC’s forestry services and funding, or to place a Spring 2026 Order, visit: www.nation.on.ca/land/forestry-services/tree-planting-services,
email info@nation.on.ca, or call 1-877-984-2948.