Toronto plants its first-ever Tree of the Year today as children pick sugar maple in 10,000-plus vote

The City of Toronto will plant its first-ever Tree of the Year — a sugar maple — at Elm Park, 230 Gosford Blvd., at 10 a.m. today (November 3). The tree was chosen by children and youth through more than 10,000 ballots cast during Kids Vote Weekend in the 2026 municipal election, and will serve as Toronto's Tree of the Year for 2027. (Photo is a file image of autumn foliage in a Toronto park, not the sugar maple being planted.)

A city tree chosen by more than 10,000 children's ballots

According to the City's media advisory of November 2, Kids Vote Weekend is designed to help grow future voters, educate children about local democracy and give them early exposure to key elements of the democratic process. The City has invited media and the public to today's planting celebration, noting the event will be cancelled if there is a high chance of thunderstorms or other hazardous weather.

The sugar maple is one of Canada's most emblematic trees and the source of the maple leaf on the national flag; making it the first Tree of the Year both honours the children's vote and launches the new annual programme. More information is available on the City's Tree of the Year page at toronto.ca/tree-of-the-year.