FAQs

Yes. If you are unable to pickup your tree and/or rain barrel, please email sfernandes@lincoln.ca to confirm arrangements for someone to pickup on your behalf. 

If picking up a tree and/or rain barrel on behalf of someone else, you must have a copy of the order receipt AND proof of address (ex. copy of a driver's license, piece of mail, utility bill).

There will be four native species of trees residents can pre-order online on a first-come, first-served basis: Eastern White Cedar, White Birch, Freeman maple, Nannyberry. You should order a tree best suited to conditions of your yard.

Trees are approx. 80-100cm (approx. 3ft) tall and will be in 3gal pots. The should easily fit inside a standard car.

The Fall 2022 Tree Giveaway and Rain Barrel Sale will be held on Saturday October 22, 2022 at the Lincoln Community Centre (4361 Central Ave, Beamsville, ON L0R 1B6).

Pick-up times are:

• Eastern White Cedar –  8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
• White Birch –  10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Freeman maple & Nannyberry – 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Rain barrel ONLY – 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

Important Notes: 

• If you are picking up a tree AND a rain barrel, please arrive during the tree timeslot. 
• If you are picking up a rain barrel ONLY, please arrive between 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. 
• Do not arrive outside your scheduled window as your tree will not be available for pickup. Orders not picked up on October 22, will be voided.
• Remember to bring a copy of your order receipt and identification with proof of residency such as a driver’s license or recent utility bill.

There is a limit of one (1) tree and two (2) rain barrels per household. Households trying to obtain more than one tree may have all of their requests voided.

** Please Note all trees are SOLD OUT ** In the event of order cancellations, stock will be updated. Please continue to check here**

Those interested in ordering a free tree must reserve a spot. Quantities are limited and there is a limit of one tree per household. Households trying to obtain more than one tree may have all of their requests voided. 

** Please Note all trees are SOLD OUT ** In the event of order cancellations, stock will be updated. Please continue to check here**

Pick-up times for each tree species are:

• Eastern White Cedar –  8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
• White Birch –  10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Freeman maple & Nannyberry – 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Rain barrels are available at a subsidized cost of $54.91 + tax and there is a limit of two rain barrels per household. Rain barrel sales close Oct 21 or until quantities last. 

Receipts for the tree and rain barrels were sent to the email provided at the time of purchase. Please check your inbox and junk/spam folders. You must have a copy of the order receipt when you come to pick up the order.

The trees are approx. 80-100cm (approx. 3ft) tall and will be in 3gal pots. They should easily fit inside a standard car.

Planting

1. You will need to free the roots and loosen them if they have become coiled. Do this at the edge of your hole so that the valuable soil that was around the roots falls into the bottom.
2. Break up the soil and scoop it in and around the roots. Pack the soil fairly tight to eliminate the air.
3. This is where a partner comes in handy! Pat down and level the soil out at the base of the tree. Give it a gentle “tug test” if it stays put then it’s a job well done!
4. Add a circle of mulch to the base of your newly planted tree or shrub. You want it to be a minimum depth of 8 – 10 cm (3 – 4 inches). This depth will help maintain moisture during dry spells. Make sure the mulch does not touch the tree stem.

Water

1. The first two years are critical, watering your tree is the most important thing you can do to ensure its survival
2. Good deep watering once a week in spring and summer if there is no rain
3. Best to use a regular hose on low pressure for 15-20 minutes
4. Water more often during periods of long drought

Mulch

1. Keep mulch 5-8cm away from the trunk of the tree
2. Place mulch in a ‘donut’ shape around the tree, rather than piling in a ‘volcano’ shape

Important Notes

1. Do not use lawn trimmers close to your tree as they will damage the bark
2. Do not worry if your tree is not growing quick enough, the first few tears are dedicated to underground root growth

For more information, check out these videos on tree planting, watering, and mulching.

Installation & Location

1. To take advantage of the rainwater that ­flows of your roof, your rain barrel should be installed at the bottom of a downspout, either on your home, garage or shed.
2. There are usually four downspouts on a typical home – one for each corner of the house. Choose a downspout in a convenient location and provide a level base for your rain barrel. 
3. It’s often a good idea to elevate your barrel to make it easier to fill a watering can. 

Attach the Rain Barrel

1. Place your rain barrel next to the downspout, taking into account the height of the base you have chosen. Mark the length of existing downspout that will need to be removed. Cut at the marked point and connect your rain barrel to the downspout using the connector piece that came with your rain barrel kit.

Using Collected Rainwater

1. Now that you have collected all this rainwater, it’s time to use it! The simplest way is to fill a watering can and water your gardens and hanging baskets. Another option is to attach a soaker hose, which can be used to slowly water a nearby garden.
2. A typical rain barrel can fill up after just one rain storm, so use the water you collect on a regular basis to make the most of your rain barrel.

Rain Barrel Storage and Maintenance 

1. Good winter care will ensure that your rain barrel is ready for use the following year. 
2. When temperatures start to approach freezing, disconnect your rain barrel from the downspout. 
3. Add a temporary extension piece or corrugated tubing to the downspout to direct it to a suitable location downhill from the house. 
4. Turn the barrel upside down – if it is left upright, the barrel will with water, freeze and crack. If you have room in your garage or garden shed you can store it there until spring

For more information check out this rain barrel care video.

In a year one tree…

1. Cools like 10 air conditioners running continually.
2. Absorbs 750 gallons of stormwater
3. Filters 60 pounds of pollutants from the air.

Reasons to plant trees:

1. Trees replenish our oxygen, filter out air pollution and contribute to better mental health and well-being.
2. Trees are vital for water we drink, help cool our cities and towns, and are home to many species of plants, birds, and wildlife.
3. Scientific research shows that forests and green spaces lead to significant declines in stress, improved rehabilitation, faster hospital recovery rates and contribute to mental health well-being.
4. Trees sequester (trap) carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. They do this during photosynthesis to form carbohydrates that are used in plant structure/ function and return oxygen back to the atmosphere as a byproduct.
5. Trees can reduce building energy demand for heating and cooling by providing shade in the summer and blocking wind in the winter. Multiple trees on a site can save in annual energy costs.

Rain barrels capture water from a roof and hold it for later use such as on lawns, gardens or indoor plants. Collecting roof runoff in rain barrels reduces the amount of water that flows from your property. It's a great way to conserve water and save money.

You can use rain barrels for household needs, such as:

1. Watering your lawn, plants and garden
2. Fill a watering can to water indoor plants
3. Connect a soaker hose and place it in your garden
4. Add pressure using a pond pump and attach a garden hose
5. Washing your car.
6. Cleaning outdoor furniture.
7. Washing garden tools and containers.

Why Go Native? 

Always try to use plants that are native to the Niagara Peninsula. These plants have evolved through thousands of years of changing geological conditions which have shaped their physical features and biology. This natural evolution makes the use of native plants ideal for local climate and environmental conditions. 

Native plants do not require extra watering and thrive without the application of pesticides and fertilizers. Adapted to deal with local bugs and diseases, they get all the nutrients they need from the existing soil. They can be easily incorporated into your landscaping to reduce mowing, improve water quality and provide food and breeding areas for many species of birds, butterflies and desirable insects.

Caring for Native Plants 

Planting in Niagara can start from early May until mid-to-late October. Spring planting is best when the soil is moist, but not saturated. Fall planting can be very successful when using hardy plant stock and when plants have a few weeks to establish before the first frost. 

Native plants are well adapted to local climate conditions but will require watering for the first 3-4 weeks after planting. Deep, infrequent watering is best. Allow the soil to dry out between watering as this will encourage deep root growth. Unless the plants have been planted in the wrong type of soil, they will not require fertilizing. Many environmentally friendly alternatives do exist, if fertilizing is needed. 

Some weeding may be required until the plants become established. Mulch can help reduce the need to weed and water while adding aesthetic value. Remember that mulch can also trap water near the surface of the root zone and may encourage shallow rooting. Try to keep mulch light (3-5 cm) and leave small areas mulch-free to maintain habitat for ground nesting bees.  

For more information visit: npca.ca, check out their Native Plant Guide, or watch this workshop on how to help our native pollinators.