Trees for Butterflies

Every year, monarch butterflies make the incredible migration from Canada to Mexico, where you can see thousands of them rest on a single tree! Lots of butterflies absolutely love our trees in Canada too! They are the perfect place to get a snack, lay eggs, hide from bad weather and, of course, to rest. 

For today’s Eco-Activity, we’ll be talking tree planting tips that will help you make an amazing butterfly habitat right in your own backyard!

Trees need lots of space, light and water. Make sure you pick a spot with all of these and room for your tree to grow. 

Trees need to be planted in the spring or the fall when it’s not too hot or too cold.

Look up native tree species in your area. This will help you make the best possible habitat for butterflies and all the other animals that will be hanging out in your tree. Some butterfly favourites are oaks, elms, cherries, and hackberries

1. Dig a hole 3 times as wide as the root ball of your baby tree and only as deep as the top of the roots. 

2. Carefully remove any container and loosen the root ball by squeezing it and pulling it apart with your hands.

3. Place the tree in the hole.

4. Fill the hole back in with the dirt and add some water!

5. Starting 5 centimeters from the trunk, add lots of mulch all around your tree, more is better. Now your tree is good to go!

Water every day for the first two weeks then continue to water frequently after. Watch it grow into a perfect home for butterflies!