Town Tree Maintenance

Town streets and parks

The Town prunes and removes trees on municipal property. Tree health and structure can be greatly increased by regular pruning, especially when the trees are young. Immature trees that are left unpruned can develop many structural problems such as weak branch structure, crossing branches, and co-dominant leaders. 

Some branches may be removed to provide clearance for sidewalks, roads, traffic signs, traffic lights and buildings.

Town woodlands

Town arborists prune and remove trees in woodlands throughout the Town when necessary to protect the safety of people or property, or to promote forest health. 

Limb and trunk wood is left on site within the wooded areas. This encourages the natural regeneration of the woodland by providing biomass material for regrowth, provides habitat for woodland insects and animals, and leaves the sensitive woodland understory undisturbed.

You are permitted to prune your private tree under the Private Tree Protection By-law provided the pruning meets good arboricultural standards, which include ensuring that no more than one-third of the live branches or limbs of a tree are cut in one season. 

A qualified arborist should always be retained to carry out tree pruning.

The three most important things that roots need and want are: soil, air and water. The easiest and best place for them to find these three essentials is at the surface of the ground in your yard and your neighbour’s yard.

Tree roots will not cause breaks in drains or water pipes. Roots are attracted to existing leaks since they provide water and air. It is important to replace aging pipes or faulty joints to prevent and avoid further issues. 

When planting a tree, make sure to leave enough room for the trunk to grow. 

To avoid damaging your walkway, driveway or patio at least 1.5 metres (five feet) is recommended. Beyond this distance, tree roots are not the cause of any heaving or cracking.

Roots brochure: Let's get to the root of the problem

Trees that are removed from municipal property, including streets and parks will also have the stump removed. This is often completed at a separate date from the above-ground removal. 

Locates, markings on the ground indicating the location of underground infrastructure,   are needed prior to the removal of the stump, these are often different coloured lines drawn on the surrounding lawn and hardscape. 

Stumping is essential to prepare sites for future tree planting. 

Irrigation systems or low voltage lighting are not included in the locate process and should not be located on Town land.