Virtual Museum of Canada
Jardin botanique de Montréal 
Centre for Forest Research

The trees in my neighbourhood

HTML version of the game


Do you know the right location to plant a tree?
That's the challenge of this game.
Here are four sites you can find in a city: a residential street, a school yard, a public park and a commercial street.

For each site, choose from a selection of trees to plant at different locations – but be careful! Trees are not happy just anywhere!
Play now!

In each of the four zones of the game, you must plant four trees. You can choose from among seven or eight tree species, and up to ten planting locations are available.

Read the characteristics of each site and the description of each tree carefully, in order to create the best landscape design possible! A successful plantation must take into account a variety of criteria, such as the sunlight conditions, the size of the tree at maturity in relation to its surroundings, the changing display of each tree according to the season, the function of each zone of the game. What is the aim of each landscape…?


RESIDENTIAL STREET

Ah, the trees on a residential street!

How beautiful! They provide shade, offer a bit of privacy when they are placed in front of the windows of our houses, amaze us with their seasonal display and give birds an incomparable habitat. They also increase the value of our homes. But watch out for power lines! Not all trees like having a haircut!

Residential street

Tree selectionLegend

Residential street
(Space #)
Specifications
1 4 m from the power lines
2 back yard, 3 m from a pool
3 4 m from the house, 3 m from the car
4 5 m from the house, in front of a window
5 4 m spacing between two houses
6 center of the driveway
7 2 m spacing from the house
8 center of the full circle
9 between two houses

Species Symbol Shape Description Landscaping appeal & problems
White cedar
Thuja occidentalis
Symbol for the white cedar Shape of the white cedar Height: 12 m Width: 4 m
Sun or partial shade
Spacing: 4 m
Landscaping appeal: Stays green year round.
European larch
Larix decidua
Symbol for the European larch Shape of the European larch Height: 20 m Width: 7 m
Sun
Spacing: 6.5 m
Landscaping appeal: This is the only conifer that loses its leaves in winter. The needles are yellow in autumn, light green in spring. Female cone turns reddish-pink to reddish-purple in June.
White pine
Pinus strobus
Symbol for the white pine Shape of the white pine Height: 20 m and more Width: 7 m
Sun
Spacing: 6.5 m
Landscaping appeal: Largest conifer in eastern North America. Soft, fine needles, pleasant scent.
Care: Very resinous in spring, intolerant of deicing salts.
Red horsechestnut
Aesculus x carnea 'Briotii'
Symbol for the red horsechestnut Shape of the red horsechestnut Height: 10 m Width: 8 m
Sun
Spacing: 5 m
Landscaping appeal: Red-orange leaves in autumn, highly visible red flowers in June.
Care: Moderate tolerance to deicing salts.
Rowan
Sorbus aucuparia
Symbol for the rowan Shape of the red horsechestnut Height: 15 m Width: 7 m
Sun
Spacing: 5.5 m
Landscaping appeal: Flat corymbs in spring. Red or orange berries in autumn, well-liked by birds and persistent through winter.
Care: May suffer from a bacterial disease.
Japanese lilac
Syringa reticulata
Symbol for the Japanese lilac Shape of the Japanese lilac Height: 8 m Width: 4 m
Sun
Spacing: 3.5 m
Landscaping appeal: Scented flowers in summer, salt-tolerant, resistant to urban pollution.
Pyramidal English oak
Quercus robur 'Fastigiata'
Symbol for the pyramidal English oak Shape of the pyramidal English oak Height: 15 m Width: 5 m
Sun
Spacing: 7.5 m
Landscaping appeal: Copper-coloured, persistent leaves in autumn and winter.
Care: Poor tolerance to road salt.
Balsa
Ochroma pyramidale
Symbol for the balsa Shape of the balsa Height: 30 m Width: 27 m
Sun
Spacing: 30 m
Origin: South America
Landscaping appeal: Pubescent fruits imitating giant starfish.
Care: Needs a hot and humid environment


Samples of results

Overall result: 100%

Space # Species
Results Comments
4 Japanese lilac 5 Good choice
6 Red horsechestnut 5 Good choice
8 White pine 4 Stays green year-round
9 White cedar 5 Green screen between two properties

Overall result: 25%

Space # Species
Result Comments
1 Pyramidal English oak 1 Too close to utilities
2 Rowan 3 Too close of the pool
5 European larch 1 Not enough space and sun to grow
8 Balsa 0 Tropical tree, cannot survive

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SCHOOLYARD

Hurrah for the trees in the schoolyard!

A true source of creativity and inspiration, their shadows are nice, they offer meeting points, divide the play areas, contribute to the identity of the school and to the well-being of all those who attend the school.

Schoolyard

Tree selectionLegend

School yard
(Space #)
Specifications
1 4 m from the school building
2 6 m from the power line, in the parking lot
3 2 m of 2 walls of the building
4 Grassed area
5 Sidewalk line in the entrance way
6 3 m from picnic tables, 4 m from # 9
7 Along the soccer field, 10 m from # 8
8 10 m from # 7
9 3 m from picnic tables, 4 m from # 6
10 Under 2 power lines


 

Species Symbol Shape Description Landscaping appeal & problems
White cedar
Thuja occidentalis
Symbol for the white cedar Shape of the white cedar Height: 12 m Width: 4 m
Sun or partial shade
Spacing: 4 m
Landscaping appeal: Stays green year round.
Hoopsi Colorado spruce
Picea pungens 'Hoopsii'
Symbol for the Hoopsi Colorado spruce Shape of the Hoopsi Colorado spruce Height: 6 m Width: 4 m
Sun
Spacing: 4 m
Landscaping appeal: Silvery-blue needles, reddish-purple cones in spring.
Amur maple
Acer tataricum
Symbol for the Amur maple Shape of the Amur maple Height: 6 m Width: 6 m
Sun or partial shade
Spacing: no restrictions
Landscaping appeal: Leaves dark green on top and pale green underneath, yellow to bright red in autumn. Persistent fruits in autumn.
American hornbeam
Carpinus caroliniana
Symbol for the American hornbeam Shape of the American hornbeam Height: 8 m Width: 7 m
Sun, partial shade or shade
Spacing: 4 m
Landscaping appeal: Yellow, orange and scarlet red foliage in autumn.
Care: poor tolerance to deicing salts and soil compacting.
Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba
Symbol for the ginkgo Shape of the ginkgo Height: 20 m Width: 8 m
Sun or partial shade
Spacing: 7.5 m
Landscaping appeal: Leaves unique to its genus, golden-yellow in autumn. Disease free.
Care: Be sure to plant a male specimen, as females bear smelly fruits.
Silver linden
Tilia tomentosa
Symbol for the silver linden Shape of the silver linden Height: 15 m Width: 9 m
Sun or partial shade
Spacing: 7.5 m
Landscaping appeal: Highly scented flowers (honey-scented) in summer. Appreciated for the shade it provides.
Care: May host aphids producing honeydew.
Yellow birch
Betula alleghaniensis
Symbol for the yellow birch Shape of the yellow birch Height: 20 m Width: 15 m
Sun or partial shade
Spacing: 12.5 m
Landscaping appeal: Tree emblem of Quebec. Golden bark, yellow leaves in autumn.
Baobab
Adansonia digitata
Symbol for the baobab Shape of the baobab Height: 20 m Width: 22.5 m
Sun
Spacing: 25 m
Origin: Africa
Landscaping appeal: Very large scented flowers.
Care: Needs a warm environment.


Samples of results

Overall result: 94%

Space # Species
Results Comments
1 American hornbeam 5 Good choice
2 Silver linden 5 Good choice
3 Ginkgo 4 Good choice
6 Amur maple 4 Good choice

Overall result: 15%

Space # Species
Results Comments
5 Hoopsi Colorado spruce 1 Needs more light
6 Baobab 0 Tropical tree, cannot survive
7 White cedar 1 Needs more light
8 Yellow birch 1 Too close to utilities

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PUBLIC PARK

The trees in our parks are so majestic!

They form part of our heritage and the historical identity of our neighbourhood, help reduce stress, offer pleasant shade in which to rest, serve as a sound barrier, shelter diverse fauna and charm us with all their splendour!

Public park

Tree selectionLegend

Public park
(space #)
Specicifications
1 under two power lines
2 5 m from the children playing equipment
3 5 m from the beach volleyball area
4 4 m from the water play area
5 3 m from a picnic table
6 side of the grassy knoll
7 3 m from the pond
8 on top of the grassy knoll

Species Symbol Shape Description Landscaping appeal & problems
Toba hawthorn
Crataegus x mordenensis 'Toba'
Symbol for the Toba hawthorn Shape of the Toba hawthorn Height: 5 m
Width: 3 m
Sun
Spacing: no restrictions
Landscaping appeal: In the spring, white and scented flowers. Red fruits persist through part of the winter. Copper-red leaves in autumn.
Care: Spiny branches, poor tolerance to deicing salts.
White pine
Pinus strobus
Symbol for the white pine Shape of the white pine Height: 20 m and more Width: 7 m
Sun
Spacing: 6.5 m
Landscaping appeal: Largest conifer in eastern North America. Soft, fine needles, pleasant scent.
Care: Very resinous in spring, intolerant of deicing salts.
European larch
Larix decidua
Symbol for the European larch Shape of the European larch Height: 20 m Width: 7 m
Sun
Spacing: 6.5 m
Landscaping appeal: This is the only conifer that loses its leaves in winter. The needles are yellow in autumn, light green in spring. Female cone turns reddish-pink to reddish-purple in June.
Norway maple Crimson King
Acer platanoides 'Crimson King'
Symbol for the Norway maple Crimson King Shape of the Norway maple Crimson King Height: 12 m
Width: 8 m
Sun
Spacing: 6 m
Landscaping appeal: Burgundy leaves in summer.
Red horsechestnut
Aesculus x carnea 'Briotii'
Symbol for the red horsechestnut Shape of the red horsechestnut Height: 10 m Width: 8 m
Sun
Spacing: 5 m
Landscaping appeal: Red-orange leaves in autumn, highly visible red flowers in June.
Care: Moderate tolerance to deicing salts.
Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba
Symbol for the ginkgo Shape of the ginkgo Height: 20 m Width: 8 m
Sun or partial shade
Spacing: 7.5 m
Landscaping appeal: Leaves unique to its genus, golden-yellow in autumn. Disease free.
Care: Be sure to plant a male specimen, as females bear smelly fruits.
Golden weeping willow
Salix alba 'Tristis'
Symbol for the golden weeping willow Shape of the golden weeping willow Height: 15 m
Width: 15 m
Sun
Spacing: 13.5 m
Landscaping appeal: Yellowish branches, majestic silhouette.
Care: invasive roots, requires a lot of water.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus deglupta
Symbol for the eucalyptus Shape of the eucalyptus Height: 30 m
Width: 22.5 m
Sun
Origin: Australia
Landscaping appeal: Colored bark; umbels of scented flowers.


Samples of results

Overall result: 95%

Space # Species
Results Comments
2 White pine 5 Good choice
5 Toba hawthorn 4 Good choice
7 Golden weeping willow 5 Damp location and sufficient space
8 European larch 5 Good choice on the hill

Overall result: 20%

Space # Species
Results Comments
1 White pine 0 Too close to utilities
2 Eucalyptus 0 Tropical tree, cannot survive
4 Toba hawthorn 2 Spiny branches - Too close to the pool
5 Golden weeping willow 1 Too big for this space

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COMMERCIAL STREET

How we like trees on a commercial street!

They protect us from the wind, offer shade, highlight buildings, and help us find our way in the city! They freshen the air with water vapour, capture dust and pollution! But be careful, they don't like to get too close to power lines, and not all are tolerant of the stress caused by compacted soil or winter's road salt.

Commercial street

Tree selectionLegend

Commercial park
(Space #)
Specifications
1 2 m from the bus stop and the fire hydrant, under the power lines
2 in a container
3 4 m from the wall, 2 m from the deck
4 west side of the street, near the deck and 3 m from the building
5 4 m from the power lines, near the deck
6 7 m from a glass window
7 2.5 m from the building corner, in the lane
8 3 m from a bicycle stand
9 3 m from of a garage door used by trucks for delivery
10 in a planting hole, street corner near a bench

Species Symbol Shape Description Landscaping appeal & problems
Norway maple Crimson King
Acer platanoides 'Crimson King'
Symbol for the Norway maple Crimson King Shape of the Norway maple Crimson King Height: 12 m
Width: 8 m
Sun
Spacing: 6 m
Landscaping appeal: Burgundy leaves in summer.
Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba
Symbol for the ginkgo Shape of the ginkgo Height: 20 m Width: 8 m
Sun or partial shade
Spacing: 7.5 m
Landscaping appeal: Leaves unique to its genus, golden-yellow in autumn. Disease free.
Care: Be sure to plant a male specimen, as females bear smelly fruits.
Silver linden
Tilia tomentosa
Symbol for the silver linden Shape of the silver linden Height: 15 m Width: 9 m
Sun or partial shade
Spacing: 7.5 m
Landscaping appeal: Highly scented flowers (honey-scented) in summer. Appreciated for the shade it provides.
Care: May host aphids producing honeydew.
Makamik flowering crabapple
Malus 'Makamik'
Symbol for the Makamik flowering crabapple Shape of the Makamik flowering crabapple Height: 9 m
Width: 9 m
Sun
Spacing: 4 m
Landscaping appeal: Pinkish-purple flowers in spring; leaves greenish-bronze in summer and red in autumn; red crabapples in automn.
Care: Moderate tolerance to deicing salts.
Thornless honeylocust
Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis 'Sunburst'
Symbol for the thornless honeylocust Shape of the thornless honeylocust Height: 12 m
Width: 10 m
Sun
Spacing: 7 m
Landscaping appeal: Without spines and fruits. Leaves yellow-green in summer and golden yellow in autumn.
Care: Poor tolerance to deicing salts.
Chile pine
Araucaria araucana
Symbol for the Chile pine Shape of the Chile pine Height: 30 m
Width: 22.5 m
Sun
Origin: Chile
Care: Low tolerance to urban pollution.
Silver maple
Acer saccharinum
Symbol for the silver maple Shape of the silver maple Height: 24 m
Width: 24 m
Sun, partial shade or shade
Spacing: 14.5 m
Landscaping appeal: Leaves light green on top and gray underneath, yellow in autumn.
Care: Poor tolerance to deicing salts; very invasive, superficial roots.


Samples of results

Overall result: 94%

Space # Species
Results Comments
2 Makamik flowering crabapple 5 Good choice for container
6 Thornless honeylocust 4 Good choice
8 Ginkgo 4 Good choice
10 Norway maple 4 Sufficient space

Overall result: 16%

Space # Species
Results Comments
2 Silver maple 1 Not enough space
7 Ginkgo 1 Not enough light
8 Thornless honeylocust 1 Will be damaged by trucks
10 Chile Pine 0 Tropical tree, cannot survive

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