Lake Countree is a residential planting initiative developed to encourage citizens to help grow and preserve Lake Country's urban forest canopy. 2024 is the third year for this new initiative where Lake Country residents can purchase one tree per household for the low price of $50 (incl. GST).
By purchasing and planting a tree through the Lake Countree program, you are making a positive impact on the environment.
Urban Forest and Tree Benefits
Trees remove atmospheric carbon dioxide
Reduce energy usage
Remove air pollutants
Filter stormwater
Provide shade and cool yards, buildings, and hot city streets
Release water vapour
Promote calmness and mental well-being
Provide wildlife habitat and shelter
Provide food sources for wildlife
Lake Countree 2024
Lake Countree is a residential planting initiative developed to encourage citizens to help grow and preserve Lake Country's urban forest canopy. 2024 is the third year for this new initiative where Lake Country residents can purchase one tree per household for the low price of $50 (incl. GST).
Note: There is NO waitlist. Once the 125 trees are sold, there are no more available for this year's program.
By purchasing and planting a tree through the Lake Countree program, you are making a positive impact on the environment.
Urban Forest and Tree Benefits
Trees remove atmospheric carbon dioxide
Reduce energy usage
Remove air pollutants
Filter stormwater
Provide shade and cool yards, buildings, and hot city streets
Release water vapour
Promote calmness and mental well-being
Provide wildlife habitat and shelter
Provide food sources for wildlife
Lake Countree 2024
Tree sales for our 2024 Lake Countree program will be open from Tuesday, July 30 until Friday, September 13, or until trees are sold out.
Lake Countree pickup will take place on Saturday, September 21 (9:00am - 1:00 pm) at Kel-Lake Nursery. The trees are in 10 gallon pots, roughly 6 to 12 feet tall. The size is to ensure that holes can be hand dug and the trees are easily handled.
Set up your online account in advance to pre-order your tree online once they become available. If you've use the online registration system for an Activity Guide program in the past few years, you likely already have an account.
To purchase a tree, please visit our ActiveNet program registration online system to sign in or set up an account. Call 250-766-5650 if you need assistance to set up your online account.
2024 Fall Tree Varieties
All of the tree varieties on offer this year are chosen for their hardiness to endure the weather of the Okanagan region. We have selected the trees according to their unique features including size, hardiness, exposure, wildlife value and seasonal interests. We recommend that residents research the tree they would like before purchase.
Trying to find the right tree for the right location is paramount and why we are offering four varieties with different attributes to choose from. The trees were picked based on their growth rate, size at maturity, water requirements, carbon sequestering, oxygen production, sun orientation, adaptivity to various soil conditions, aesthetics, availability, life span and to help reduce monocultures in neighborhoods.
Native varieties of trees are great, and are planted all over the District when we are re-establishing naturalized areas or less urbanized parcels of land, however native trees are not always the best choice for subdivisions and the sizes of the lots. Ponderosa Pines, Douglas Fir, Abies, Black Cottonwood, Birch and Western Red Cedar (which are only a few or our native varieties) grow in specific areas of our forests and do not always thrive in urban situations, due to elevation, being irrigated, soil conditions, traffic around the root zone for example.
Height: 40ft
Spread: 20-40ft
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness Zone: 4-7
Shape: Upright Oval
Foliage color: Bright Green in the spring and summer, turning Dark Red in the Fall
Water Requirements: Medium
Description: A tough, hardy maple with an upright symmetrical form and adaptability to varied soils. Deep red, long lasting fall color is consistently bright and lasts late into the season. FireSmart.
Height: 20-30ft
Spread: 15-20ft
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness Zone: 3-7
Shape: Upright Oval
Foliage color: Bright Green in the spring and summer, turning Yellow in the Fall
Water Requirements: WaterWise and FireSmart. Drought tolerant once established
Description: Upright spreading, compact form with dark green heart shaped foliage that turns yellow in the fall. In early summer large panicles of cream white fragrant blooms that make this tree a specimen in any yard or garden, attracting butterflies, hummingbirds and insect pollinators. With a tolerance of a wide variety of soils, the Japanese Lilac Tree becomes drought tolerant once established.
Height: 40ft
Spread: 30ft
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness Zone: 4
Shape: Upright Oval with horizontal branching
Foliage color: Bright Green in the spring and summer, turning Brilliant Yellow in the fall
Water Requirements: Medium until establishment then drought tolerant. (FireSmart and OXA recommended as WaterWise)
Dscription: Vary adaptable to a variety of soil conditions, pH and both moist and dry locations. An open deciduous tree with a stunning habit of growth featuring almost horizontally tiered branches. Pinnately compound leaves add a fine and delicate texture to the landscape allowing for filtered sunlight to penetrate. Bright green leaves that turn yellow in the fall. A low maintenance tree that the deer do not particularly care for, however they produce an extensive root system that may impact surrounding gardens.
Height: 20-40ft
Spread: 15-30ft
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness Zone: 5
Shape: Upright Columnar
Foliage color: Purplish in the spring turning medium Green. Spectacular fall colors including Yellow, Gold, Orange, Pink, Dark Red in interesting mixtures as the green disappears.
Water Requirements: Drought tolerant once established, suitable for dry soils. (FireSmart and OXA recommended as WaterWise)
Description: Preferring full sun and moist well drained, loamy soil, the Persian Ironwood tree will tolerate light shade and is adaptable to many soil types. Other attributes include heat, drought, air pollution, poor soil tolerance and has little to no identified pests or diseases. On mature trees the grey bark exfoliates, revealing patches of green, white, tan. The medium to dark Green foliage turns to a brilliant mixture of red, orange, yellow and pinks in the fall providing multi-season interests.
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Height: 20-30ft
Spread: 25-35ft
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Hardiness Zone: 3
Shape: Broad, Rounded
Foliage color: Light to Dark Green in the spring turning to Orange in the fall.
Water Requirements: Drought tolerant once established. (FireSmart and OXA recommended as WaterWise)
Description: A broad rounded tree with exfoliating bark, strong horizontal branches, white flowers followed by deep fruit make this an amazing accent tree. Tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions and drought tolerance make it a great choice for an urban setting, small group planting, or a specimen tree in a lawns or garden setting. An important source of nectar for pollinators, the berries that follow ripen to deep red in the fall and are a valuable food source to more than 20 species of birds.
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What will the size of the tree be at maturity?
Hot tall will the tree grow?
Will it fit in the space you have selected?
What type of landscape will the tree be planted in (garden bed or turfgrass)?
Will the tree be irrigated?
Are there underground services or utilities that the roots will interfere with?
Call BC 1 CALL (1-800-474-6886 or bc1c.ca) and a utility locate service company to ensure the spot you have chosen to plant the tree in will not impact power, water or other utilities.
Are there overhead utilities that the tree will impact as it grows?
Protect your tree during transport; pad the trunk, and gently bundle the branches with burlap or string.
Prune dead or broken branches before planting.
Plant the tree as soon as possible after receiving it; if not, keep it in a shaded area and water as needed.
Call BC 1 Call (1-800-474-6886 or bc1c.ca), and a utility locate service company prior to digging or excavating.
Prepare the planting spot by digging a hole 2-3 times wider than the root ball and only as deep as the root ball when placed in the hole. The root flare/collar (where the tree's trunk meets the roots) should be even with the top of the hole or slightly above.
Gently remove the tree from the plastic container and look for circling or girdling roots, and if present, make a slice or cut the root to inhibit future growth.
Use native soil to backfill where possible. If the native soil is heavy clay or extremely rocky, amend the native soil with compost and topsoil at a 50/50 mixture with the native soil. Bone meal, a high phosphorus fertilizer or fish fertilizer can be incorporated at this time.
Place the tree in the center of the hole and begin to backfill until the hole is two-thirds full, gently packing down to remove air pockets and water the hole to settle the soil.
Let the water drain and continue filling the hole with the remaining soil. Repeat the packing and watering routine.
Use the excess soil to build a well around the hole to help hold and direct water to the root ball.
Staking the tree is only necessary if the tree is planted in an area of high winds or if the soil is shallow.
Applying mulch at a depth of 4 inches around the tree area covering the root ball is important to reduce weed growth and retain water in the soil. Keep the mulch 4-6 inches away from the trunk.
Water slowly and deep once a week after planting. More frequent watering may be required in drought-like conditions.
Avoid fertilizing the tree with a high nitrogen fertilizer in the first year.
Remember these are general guidelines for planting and maintaining a tree. Each location and tree can differ, so contact your local garden center for more information.
