Torontonians head to the polls today, but thousands of kids across the city have already had their say (well, when it comes to urban greenery, at least).
Earlier this month, more than 10,000 young voters cast their ballots for their favourite tree at 50 advance voting locations across Toronto during the city’s first-ever Kids Vote Weekend. Kids had five candidates to choose from: sugar maple, red oak, basswood, white pine and paper birch.
The sugar maple came out on top and has officially been crowned Toronto’s 2027 Tree of the Year after receiving 4,549 votes. To celebrate the win, Toronto plans to plant 1,000 sugar maple trees across the city next year!
The sugar maple earned more than double the votes of its closest competitor, the red oak, which received 2,036 votes. The tree is native to Toronto and helps keep neighbourhoods cooler, provides shade and supports local wildlife (it’s also known for its gorgeous red, orange and yellow autumn leaves!).
According to the City, the 1,000 new sugar maples will be planted on public land throughout 2027 through community planting events and other city initiatives. Schools will also be able to receive free trees to plant on their grounds, while residents can pick up free sugar maples at public tree giveaway events.
To celebrate the victory, the city is hosting a ceremonial tree planting on Nov. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Elm Park in North York.
More details about the 2027 planting events and free tree giveaways will be announced early next year. In the meantime, if you need a foliage fix, check out these 15 amazing places to see fall colours without leaving Toronto, or head to one of these six Ontario parks that are still putting on a show.