Selwyn Township residents can get a free tree as part of the township’s 2025 ReLeaf program, an initiative designed to restore and enhance the community’s tree canopy on private properties as a result of the devastating ice storm this past March.
Selwyn Township is one of 50 municipalities and Indigenous communities in Ontario that have each received up to $10,000 from Hydro One’s Ice Storm 2025: Recovery Grant.
“The ice storm caused severe and widespread impacts across the province, leaving many communities and municipalities with devastating damage,” said Bronwen Evans, Hydro One’s vice president of communications and marketing, in a media release. “We know how important trees and green spaces are in communities and are proud to support Selwyn Township in its effort to replant the tree canopy.”
Selwyn Township will be making available 600 free native tree saplings to residents, including red oak, swamp oak, sugar maple, silver maple, or red maple trees. According to the township, the species are native to Ontario and were selected for their ability to promote biodiversity and withstand severe weather events.
“The 2025 ReLeaf Program is more than just a tree giveaway — it’s an opportunity for residents to directly contribute to the long-term environmental health and beauty of our community,” said Selwyn Township mayor Sherry Senis. “We’re grateful for Hydro One’s support in making this initiative possible.”
The ReLeaf Program is only open to Selwyn Township residents, with one tree allocated per property.
Residents must register to receive a tree. Registration opens online at 9 am. on Tuesday, August 5 at selwyntownship.ca/releaf.
After registration has closed, successful registrants will be notified and given details on how to pick up their tree in the fall. Residents will select their tree species at the time of pick-up, with tree species distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
When picking up their tree, residents will receive planting and aftercare instructions to ensure their trees thrive.
