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        • Signage Regulations
        • Subdivision Regulations
      • ACCESSIBILITY
        • Accessible Events Guidelines
        • Barrier Free Report and Recommendations
      • WATER & SEWER SERVICES
        • Pay My Water and Sewer Bill
        • Utility Property Transfer Request
        • Be Water Friendly
        • Conservation Tips and Programs
        • Drink Local
        • Resource Recovery Facility
        • Sewer Collection and Treatment
        • Showerhead Exchange Program
        • Understanding My Water and Sewer Bill
        • Universal Residential Meter Program
        • Water and Sewer Installations
        • Water Reports
        • Water Supply
        • Water Use and Restrictions
        • Report a Water and Sewer Problem
      • PERMITS & APPLICATIONS
        • Fiona Clean Up Program
        • Applications and Requirements
        • Application for Culvert Installation
        • Building Permit Application
        • Permit Approvals
        • Permit Fee Schedule
        • Secondary & Garden Suites Registry
        • Short Term Rentals & Tourism Accommodation Levy FAQs
        • Tourism Accommodation Levy Form
      • HERITAGE
        • Charlottetown Stories
        • City History
        • Heritage Grant and Tax Incentive Applications
        • Heritage Resources
        • Preserving Heritage
        • Search A Property
      • TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE
        • Parking
        • Public Transit (T3)
        • Roads and Infrastructure
        • Construction Projects
        • Understanding Roundabouts
        • Winter Operations
        • West Royalty Transportation Master Plan
        • University Avenue Master Plan
      • GARBAGE, RECYCLING & COMPOST
        • Island Waste Management Corporation
      • MAPS
      • PLANS, REPORTS & STUDIES
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        • Advisory Board Application
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        • Council Remuneration and Allowances Commission Report 2023
        • Election Expenses & Campaign Contribution Statements
        • Levee Photos
        • Members Of Council
        • Travel Expenses
        • Ward Maps
      • COUNCIL MEETINGS
        • Advisory Boards - Terms of Reference
        • Live Streaming of Council Meetings
        • Meeting Agendas
        • Meeting Calendar
        • Meeting Packages
        • Signed Resolutions and Approved Minutes
      • COMMUNICATIONS
        • Community Engagement
      • ELECTION INFORMATION
        • Election and Ward Information
        • Election Bylaw
        • Elections PEI
        • Electoral Boundaries Review
        • Ward Maps
      • STANDING COMMITTEES
        • Standing Committee Structure
        • Terms of Reference
      • FINANCE
        • Annual Budget
        • Accounts Payable/Receivable, EFT
        • Audited Financial Statements
        • Travel Expenses
      • UNDERSTANDING MUNICIPAL SERVICES
        • What is Municipal Government?
        • Budget 101
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        • City Meetings 101
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        • Resources and Business Support
      • DEVELOPERS
        • Applications and Requirements
        • Application for Culvert Installation
        • Building Permit Application
        • Heritage Grant and Tax Incentives
        • Lot Grading Guidelines and Certificate
        • Maps
        • Official Plan
        • Permit Approvals
        • Permit Fee Schedule
        • Public Art Policy
        • Tax Incentive Strategy
        • Tendering and RFP
        • Water Services
    • Recreation & Leisure
      • FACILITIES
        • Bookings & Rentals
        • Disc Golf
        • Dog Parks
        • Indoor Facilities
        • Skate Park
        • Sports Fields and Courts
        • Simmons Sports Centre Replacement Project
      • PARKS AND TRAILS
        • Parks and Playgrounds
        • Pool and Splash Pad
        • Trails and Active Transportation
      • PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
        • Community Directory
        • Online Program Registration
        • ParaSport and Special Olympics
        • Program Brochure
        • Recreation Programs
        • Volunteers and Awards
        • Winter Recreation
      • VISITING CHARLOTTETOWN
    • Environment & Sustainability
      • SUSTAINABILITY
        • Sustainability Resources
        • Microgrant Program
        • Sustainable Procurement
      • NATURE
        • Municipal Natural Asset Inventory
        • Cosmetic Pesticide Bylaw
        • Invasive Species
        • Urban Wildlife
        • Victoria Park Nature Education
        • Climate Trackers
      • URBAN FORESTRY
        • Charlottetown's Urban Forest
        • Tree Planting
        • Tree Protection Bylaw
        • Rooted in Art
        • Business Tree Challenge
        • Street and Park Tree Inventory
      • ENERGY
        • Better Homes Neighbourhood Energy Project
        • Switch Charlottetown
        • Community Energy Plan
      • TRANSPORTATION
        • Public Transit
        • Active Transportation
        • Electric Vehicles & Public Charging
        • Charlottetown Cycling
      • FOOD
        • Charlottetown Food Council
        • Community Vegetable Planters
        • Edible Orchards
        • Community Gardens
        • Gardening Workshops
        • Food Recovery Network
        • Food Asset Map
      • WASTE REDUCTION
        • Bring it Charlottetown
        • Fix It Fair
        • Waste Reduction Week
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        • Urban Watersheds
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        • Climate Change
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        • Flood Protection Rebate Program
        • PEI's Climate Adaptation Plan
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        • Creating Accessible Events
        • Event Guidelines
        • Food Vendor Guidelines
        • Meetings and Conventions
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        • Special Events Reserve Fund Guidelines (SERF)
        • Sustainable Events Manual
      • EVENTS CALENDAR
        • Civic Events & Meetings Calendar
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        • Capital City Canada Day
        • Community Energy Plan
        • Fix It Fair
        • Veterans Recognition Awards
        • Youth Housing Report
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        • Community Events Calendar
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        • Walking Tours
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        • Cultural Policy
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    City of Charlottetown » Environment & Sustainability » URBAN FORESTRY » The Homeowner's Tree Toolkit » Choosing the Right Tree
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    Choosing the Right Tree

    Planting a tree is a wonderful way to enhance your property, support local ecosystems, and contribute to a greener community. Explore the native plant species that thrive in our area and learn how to identify which ones will be the perfect match for your property.

    Site Conditions
    Selecting the right tree for your property starts with understanding the unique conditions of your site. Consider the following factors to ensure your tree will thrive:

    Soil Type: Charlottetown’s soil tends to be acidic and low in organic material, but can have variable amounts of sand, silt and clay. All trees included in our Tree Fact Sheets can tolerate Charlottetown’s soil conditions.

    Sunlight Availability: Assess how much shade your chosen location receives throughout the day and select a tree species with matching light requirements.

      • Full shade: Less than 4 hours of direct sunlight per day
      •  Partial shade: 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day
      • No shade: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day
         

    Space Constraints: Take into account the mature size of the tree, including height and canopy spread, to ensure it fits well within the available space without interfering with structures, power lines, or other plants. Please ensure the site meets the following criteria:

    • The site is at least two meters from the sidewalks and roads.
    • The site is at least seven meters from building foundations.
    • The site is at least three meters from pipes, sewers and fire hydrants.
    • Low-growing trees (under 6m when mature) may be planted adjacent to overhead power lines, but no closer than 1.5m.
    • Medium-sized trees (6-12m when mature) must be at least 6m from overhead power lines.
    • Large-sized trees (over 12m when mature) must be at least 12m from overhead power lines.

    Drainage and Moisture Levels: Evaluate how well your soil drains after rainfall and choose species that can tolerate the moisture conditions, whether it’s well-drained, damp, or waterlogged soil. All trees have different moisture requirements, so it is important to ensure that you choose a tree that is well-suited for your soil’s moisture levels. For example, Eastern Larch and Red Maple prefer moist soil while Red Oak and Staghorn sumac thrive in well-drained soils. 
    Please note, it is recommended that all species are watered regularly for at least two years after planting, regardless of the species’ drought tolerance.

    Purpose: Identify your goals for planting the tree—whether for shade, privacy, ornamental value, or wildlife habitat—and select a species that fulfills those needs.

    By matching tree species to your site conditions, you’ll ensure that your tree remains healthy and contributes positively to your property and the environment.

    Additional Resources:

    TreesAreGood Consumer Brochure Tree Selection and Placement

    Species Information

    Here you will find detailed information on species well-suited to thrive in various urban environments. Additionally, our interactive survey allows you to filter through your property’s unique site characteristics—such as soil type, sunlight, and available space—enabling you to identify tree species that are best suited to your specific conditions. 

    Species Fact Sheets

    Plant Selection Tool 

    Additional resources:

    Native Plant Species

    Planting Native Species