Step 1
Get started
Urban Soil Restoration
Follow these simple steps below to help guide you through the process of urban soil restoration. Steps 1 to 4 will teach you about how to assess your site before planting, why soil quality is important and how to assess it, whether you need to improve your soil before you plant and how to select tree species based on your site and environmental conditions. In Step 5 you can share the information you gather with your colleagues through the dashboard. For a more in-depth resource on the landscape tree planting process, check out the Ontario Landscape Tree Planting Guide. It is a comprehensive document that draws on years of research work conducted on tree planting and establishment and, notably, on many findings from our Greening research team.
The Process
Step 2
Collect and analyze soil samples
Step 3
Enter the results in the restoration calculator
Step 4
Tree recommendations
Step 5
Results and sharing
Step 1
Get started
- Visit your site – identify any major urban features (i.e. power lines, proximity to roads, space existing for planted trees to grow outwards and upwards, etc.) and take note of vegetation and trees already present on or near the site. Also try to observe or test how quickly water tends to drain, sun exposure, salt spray or soil salt exposure and other environmental factors that can influence tree growth and survival.
- Acquire locates for soil sampling.
- Although soil sampling is highly recommended, if you are not planning on sampling and would like tree species recommendations, skip directly to Step 4.
Step 2
Collect and analyze soil samples
- You just need some simple tools and a sampling plan to get started! Click on ‘Watch Video’ and ‘Soil Sampling Protocol’ below for detailed instructions.
- Although collecting and testing your soil adds an additional step, it represents an important process that can be used to assess your soil quality and health prior to planting. Soil quality is important to understand, as it will dictate the establishment and long-term success of your planting. Click 'Accredited Labs' below for Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' recommended soil testing laboratories.
Step 3
Enter the results in the restoration calculator
Have the results of your soil test ready to input and click on ‘Go to Calculator’. If certain key indicators, such as low organic matter levels, are present in your soil, it may be recommended to amend and restore the soil quality. To understand our soil restoration process, click 'Watch Video' and 'Soil Restoration Protocols'. To understand why certain soil properties are important and the type of soil analysis that should be conducted, click 'Soil Glossary'.
Step 4
Tree recommendations
Based on a range of site and tree species characteristics you can find out which trees are the best candidates for planting on your site. Click on 'Tree Glossary' below for more information on the terms used in the Tree Species Selector.
Step 5
Results and sharing
Share your soil restoration plan with your colleagues and friends! Also obtain a detailed print-out of your plan that you can take out into the field with you.