Lake Countree is a residential planting initiative developed to encourage citizens to help grow and preserve Lake Country's urban forest canopy. 2025 is the fourth year for this 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 2025
Lake Countree is a residential planting initiative developed to encourage citizens to help grow and preserve Lake Country's urban forest canopy. 2025 is the fourth year for this 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 120 trees (30 of each variety) 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 2025
Tree sales for our 2025 Lake Countree program will be open from Monday, July 7 until Friday, September 12, or until trees are sold out.
Lake Countree pickup will take place on Saturday, September 13 (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.
2025 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. Overall, the Matador™ Maple's combination of captivating fall colors, appealing form, and adaptability make it an excellent choice for those seeking a striking and low-maintenance tree to enhance their landscape. Whether planted as a focal point, shade provider, or to add vibrant seasonal interest, the Matador™ Maple is sure to captivate and impress with its stunning attributes throughout the year. FireSmart.
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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.
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Height: 15-20ft
Spread: 10-20ft
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness Zone: 4
Shape: Upright, rounded form with arching branches
Foliage color: Deep green turning red to yellow in the fall.
Water Requirements: Drought tolerant once established
Description: It has fragrant red and white flowers that give the tree a deep pink color in the spring. The flowers turn into small, glossy, non-edible red fruits that provide food for birds. Hawthorn Crimson Cloud is also thornless and tolerates most soil, growing well in clay, but it prefers heavy, dry loam. Plant this attractive and showy tree in your landscape as an ornamental or street tree. Attracts birds and pollinators. This tree has attractive fruit, provides winter interest and is deer resistant.
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Height: 30-40ft
Spread: 6-7ft
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness Zone: 3-7
Shape: Columnar
Foliage color: Dark green in the spring and summer, turning Yellow in the Fall
Water Requirements: Water the tree thoroughly after planting. For the first few years and during periods of drought, water the tree deeply once a week. The soil should be moist but not waterlogged.
Description: The Parkland Pillar® Birch has dark green foliage throughout the season, which transforms to a delightful yellow in the fall, providing a vibrant contrast against its white bark. Its oval leaves are serrated at the edges and offer a slightly glossy appearance in full sunlight. The tree produces inconspicuous catkins in the spring, which adds another layer of textural detail.
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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.
