Lake Countree is a residential planting initiative developed to encourage citizens to help grow and preserve Lake Country's urban forest canopy. 2022 is the first 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 2022
Tree sales for our 2022 Lake Countree program will be open from Friday, August 5 until Wednesday, September 21, or until trees are sold out.
Lake Countree pickup will take place on Saturday, September 24 (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.
Visit www.lakecountry.bc.ca/lakecountree to sign in or set up an account. Call 250-766-5650 if you need assistance to set up your online account.
2022 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.
| Matador Maple (Acer x freemanii ‘Bailston’ Matador Maple) |
Height: 45 feet Spread: 30 feet Sunlight: Full Sun Moisture: Moderate Water Use Soil Type: Tolerant of most soil conditions and pH Hardiness Zone: 4a
Description: Attractive summer foliage is followed by consistently rich red fall color that appears later in the season and holds for a long period before the leaves drop; shapely upright, oval form; a valuable addition to the landscape
Ornamental Attributes: Features showy clusters of red flowers along the branches in early spring before the leaves. It has green deciduous foliage. The lobed leaves turn outstanding shades of orange and in the fall. The furrowed gray bark and brick red branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.
Landscape Attributes: A deciduous tree with a shapely oval form. This is a relatively low maintenance tree and should only be pruned in summer after the leaves have fully developed, as it may 'bleed' sap if pruned in late winter or early spring. It has no significant negative characteristics. Plant Characteristics: First Editions® Matador™ Maple will grow to be about 45 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 5 feet from the ground and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 80 years or more. This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is quite adaptable, and is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. |
| Maiden Hair (Ginko Biloba) |
 Height: 25-50 feet
Spread: 25-35 feet Sunlight: Full Sun Moisture: Low – Average Soil Type: Tolerant of most soil conditions and pH Hardiness Zone: 5
Description: Regarded as one of the most distinct and beautiful deciduous trees. The Ginkgo biloba is a deciduous conifer with a pyramidal habit when young and a more irregular shape as it ages. Generally, pest and disease free.
Ornamental Attributes: Adding visual interest in the landscape with its spreading canopy of unique fan shaped green leaves that turn a brilliant yellow in the fall.
Landscape Attributes: Tolerant of many urban conditions including heat, air pollution and salts.
Plant Characteristics: Medium growth rate putting on 30 – 60 cm aper year. The Ginkgo biloba is the only surviving member or a group of ancient plants believed to have inhabited the earth 270 million years ago and may live up to 3000 years old. |
| Scarlet Fire Dogwood (Cornus kousa ‘Scarlet Fire’) |
 Height: 20-25 feet
Spread: 15-20 feet Sunlight: Full to Partial Sun Moisture: Average Soil Type: Tolerant of a wide variety of well-drained soil conditions Hardiness Zone: 5
Description: A small deciduous tree with a profusion of deep pink to fuchsia star shaped flowers in the spring, followed by strawberry like berries in the summer, with bright colored leaves in the fall that are orange and red to the unique branching pattern visible in the winter.
Ornamental Attributes: Star shaped pink to fuchsia flower flowers 10 – 12 cm across. Strawberry like fruits attract birds in the summer.
Landscape Attributes: A great choice as a specimen near patios or in lawns, shrub borders, gardens, or naturalized areas.
Plant Characteristics: Generally pest free, easy to care for, minimal pruning required, and deer resistant. Grows at a medium rate adding 30 – 60 cm per year. |
| Dawyck Purple Beech (Fagus sylvatic ‘Dawyck Purple’) |
 Height: 25-50 feet
Spread: 6-15 feet Sunlight: Full Sun to Part Shade Moisture: Moderate Water Use Soil Type: Grows well in deep, rich, moist well drained soil – intolerant of wet poorly drained soils Hardiness Zone: 4
Description: A strong vertical element in the landscape the Dawyck Purple Beech is a medium sized deciduous tree of columnar habit with rich deep purple leaves.
Ornamental Attributes: Broadly elliptic, lustrous leaves emerge reddish purple in the spring and darken to deep purple as the season progresses. Smooth gray bark offers a stunning winter interest.
Landscape Attributes: Perfect as a specimen plant or for hedges and screens. Plant Characteristics: Low maintenance, deer resistant and easy to grow requiring little to no pruning. Grows at a medium rate of 30-60 cm per year. |
Considerations Before Choosing & Planting Your Tree
- 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?
| Proper Transporting & Planting Techniques |
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• Protect your tree during transport; pad the trunk, and gently bundle the branches with burlap or string.
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| Maintaining Your Tree |
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