The science behind getting trees in the ground

The 2 Billion Trees program (2BT) shares up-to-date science news and knowledge products with 2BT program recipients and the broader public to inform tree planting projects across the country. Research results and science-based information on tree planting support the selection of trees that provide climate change benefits while achieving key biodiversity, conservation, and human well-being benefits.

Tree planting

After seeds are procured, the seedlings are grown, and the planting site is prepared, it is time to plant trees. Tree planting crews transport seedlings to the planting site and plant them in their permanent location. Organizations planning their project design must consider planting the right trees (accounting for both species and genetic diversity) in the right places with the proper methods. This is necessary to ensure planted trees survive under continued climate change and can sequester carbon for decades to come. Human-assisted movement of trees to more climatically suitable habitats (i.e., assisted migration), as well as genetics and tree breeding knowledge, are some of the topics tree planting organizations can consider to improve their tree planting practices for a changing climate.

In progress and upcoming knowledge products and activities to support tree planting

• Guides for landowners and contractors on afforestation for greenhouse gas reductions
• Silviculture toolkit on afforestation
• Research project - Indigenous guidance to plant the right trees at the right place
• Research project - Planting the right trees in the right places for co-benefits to water
• Research project - The “climate-smart” tree in the right place
• Research project - Resilience of western red cedar to climatic extremes (drought)
• Research project - Identification of species-specific genetic determinants that increase tree flammability

Featured products

Additional resources

Our knowledge inventory provides a collection of Canadian Forest Service publications that can help inform tree planting activities.

The Plant Hardiness of Canada website contains hardiness zone maps and maps of future climate habitats for thousands of plant species across Canada.