Services: Edmonton & area

Tree Planting in Edmonton

The right species in the right place.

5.0 · 258 reviewsISA Certified Arborists
City Tree Service arborist planting a new tree in an Edmonton yard

Why planting matters

Planting is easy to get wrong — and hard to fix once it is.

A tree planted at the wrong depth, with girdling roots, in the wrong soil, or in the wrong species for the site can struggle for the rest of its life. Most of those mistakes become invisible from the surface within a few years. Planting is a long-term decision, and we approach it that way.

  • Edmonton sits in Canada's Zone 4a: short summers, deep cold
  • Alkaline clay soils across most neighbourhoods
  • Winter freeze-thaw cycles can damage tender bark
  • Northern-hardy stock from regional nurseries fares better than generic retail stock in Edmonton's growing conditions
  • Planting depth, mulch, and stake removal all matter long-term

How we work

Sourced locally, planted properly, set up to thrive.

We source disease-resistant, northern-hardy stock from regional nurseries. We dig planting holes wider than deep, plant with the root flare visible at grade, mulch 3–4 inches deep (never against the trunk), and stake only if the tree won't stand on its own. The first two growing seasons are when most planted trees fail, so that's where the attention needs to go.

What we plant

Choosing the right species for your site, soil, and goals.

  • Shade Trees

    Bur oak, green ash, linden, Ohio buckeye, Brandon elm (Dutch elm disease-resistant). Long-lived species for decades of canopy.

  • Ornamental Trees

    Flowering crabapple, Amur maple, lilac, mountain ash. For seasonal colour and smaller front-yard scale.

  • Privacy Screens

    White spruce, saskatoon hedges, lilac, and various columnar varieties. Year-round screening on property lines.

  • Native Species

    Trembling aspen, saskatoon, pin cherry. Drought-tolerant, wildlife-friendly, locally adapted.

  • Fruit Trees

    Apple, plum, cherry, pear. Cold-hardy cultivars proven in Edmonton, planted with future pruning in mind.

  • Dutch Elm Disease-Resistant Elms

    Brandon elm. A practical path to bringing elm canopy back to an Edmonton property.

  • Memorial Tree

    Plant a tree to remember a special person, a special event, or a special pet.

  • Replacement Trees

    For the gap left after a removal, whether the tree was diseased or just in the wrong place.

  • Kids' Trees

    Plant one to mark an occasion and let it grow up alongside your kids.

Want a quote for planting?

An ISA-certified arborist walks your property and gives you a detailed quote in writing.

How a planting job runs

From the right species to first-year care.

  1. Goals & on-site assessment

    We start with your goals (shade, screen, ornament, food, wildlife), then assess light, space, soil, and the trees you already have, and recommend species suited to your yard.

  2. Sourcing & quote

    We source from regional nurseries with northern stock. The written quote includes the tree, delivery, soil amendment, mulch, and labour.

  3. Professional planting

    Hole dug wider than the root ball, planted at correct depth, native soil backfilled, mulched 3–4 inches deep. Staked only if necessary.

When to plant in Edmonton

Timing helps. After-care matters more.

Spring and early fall are the easiest windows, but we plant through the summer too. What matters more than the calendar is the after-care, and we'll tell you if conditions mean waiting is the better call.

  • Mid-May – mid-June

    Spring planting

    After last frost. Full growing season for root establishment before winter.

  • September

    Fall planting

    Cool soil + rainfall while shoots are dormant. Container stock has a slightly wider window.

  • Mid-summer

    May need extra care

    Depends on the weather. Heat and transplant stress together are hard on a new tree, so mid-summer planting needs closer follow-up.

  • Winter

    Not feasible

    Frozen ground in Edmonton. Wait for thaw.

  • ISA Certified ArboristsEvery install
  • Master Arborist on staffThe highest certification in the industry
  • Regional nursery stockNorthern-hardy cultivars
  • 258+ five-star reviewsAcross Google

Where we work

Edmonton & surrounding communities.

We plant across Edmonton and surrounding communities, with experience matching species to specific soil and microclimate conditions in each neighbourhood.

Want a quote for planting?

An ISA-certified arborist walks your property and gives you a detailed quote in writing.

City Tree Service arborist planting a new tree in an Edmonton yard

Frequently asked

Tree Planting FAQs

What's the best tree to plant in Edmonton?

There isn't one best tree. It depends on your site (sun, soil, space) and what you want from the tree. For shade in most Edmonton yards: bur oak, green ash, or Brandon elm. For ornamental: flowering crabapple, Amur maple, or mountain ash. For privacy: white spruce, saskatoon hedges, or lilac. We do an on-site consultation to recommend species that will actually thrive on your specific site.

When should I plant a tree in Edmonton?

Spring (mid-May to mid-June, once frost risk passes) and early fall (September) are the easiest windows. We plant through the summer as well — it just means closer attention to watering while the tree settles. We'll tell you if conditions mean waiting is the better call.

How much does it cost to plant a tree?

Pricing depends on tree size, species, site preparation, and how many trees are going in. The tree itself is part of the cost; the rest is delivery, soil prep, mulch, and labour. We give detailed written quotes before any work begins.

Do you guarantee newly planted trees?

We guarantee our installation work, and we source from reputable regional nurseries with their own stock guarantees. Tree mortality after planting depends heavily on watering and care during establishment.

What are the most common planting problems?

Planting too close to the house, and planting too deep in the soil (don't bury the root collar; it kills the tree slowly). Wrong species for the site is a close third. We help you avoid all three with a site assessment before you commit.

Do you offer tree planting for both residential and commercial properties?

Yes: single backyard trees through to multi-tree landscape installs for homes, parks, condo corporations, and businesses across Edmonton.

Do you provide post-planting maintenance or watering advice?

Yes. Every install comes with a written watering schedule tailored to your soil and exposure, plus guidance on what to watch for while the tree establishes. If you'd like hands-on follow-up later, like structural pruning once the tree is ready, we can book that as a separate visit.

5.0 stars|258 reviews

Ready for a quote?

An ISA-certified arborist will walk your property, talk through what your trees need, and give you a detailed quote in writing.

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