220 vouchers for a tree costing up to $90 are available from the City of Nanaimo starting Wednesday, May 29. (Pixabay)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

laying roots

Popular tree voucher program returns to keep Nanaimo green

May 26, 2019 | 2:07 PM

NANAIMO — An affordable way to keep Nanaimo green is once again being offered to residents eager to provide shade and help the environment.

The City of Nanaimo is providing 220 $25 vouchers for trees costing up to $90 from the Green Thumb Garden Centre.

Urban forestry coordinator Patrick McIntosh told NanaimoNewsNOW the popularity of the program, which has always sold every voucher available, shows how environmentally-minded Nanaimo is.

“If a tree grows to maturity, a large canopy tree can produce the oxygen required for a family of four,” he said. “It can save on cooling and heating costs, provides habitat for birds…and it’s an important measure in fighting the effects of climate change.”

significant needs

Oceanside non-profit sees demand soar

15h ago

one up, one down

Clippers drop first home game of 2025

22h ago

Impaired driver

Attempt to stop suspected impaired driver in Qualicum Beach backfires

Jan 04, 2025

The cost of the voucher recently increased to $25, up from $10 two years ago when the City was overwhelmed with people wanting to buy one.

McIntosh said the cost of the voucher has increased due to a limited supply of trees at nurseries, which sell an increasingly large amount of trees as Nanaimo expands.

Only two vouchers can be used per property.

They’re available first-come-first-serve from the Services and Resource Building on Dunsmuir St. from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., starting on Wednesday, May 29.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @nanaimonewsnow