Town tree pruning programs begin this month
Tuesday, January 02, 2024
Regular pruning promotes public safety and tree health
Starting in January, the Town of Oakville and its tree service contractor will begin their two annual tree pruning programs. Residents are invited to attend an open house on January 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the South Atrium at Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road, to speak with town staff and learn more about these important programs.
Hydro line clearing
Each year, the town and its tree service contractor perform hydro line clearing on behalf of Oakville Hydro to reduce safety hazards and power outages, while maintaining the health, safety and well-being of the town’s tree canopy. The 2024 hydro line clearing program will take place in areas between Burloak Drive and Trafalgar Road from the QEW north to Lower Base Line, and between Burloak Drive and Fourth Line from the QEW south to Rebecca Street.
Trees are pruned in each of four zones on a four-year cycle following the Electrical Safety Authority guidelines to maintain a three-metre (10 foot) clearance between branches and primary power lines and one metre (three feet) for secondary lines.
In some situations, the town must prune trees on private property if they are growing too close to hydro lines.
As a last resort, some trees growing too close to the hydro line may need to be removed if the arborist cannot achieve the clearance standard with acceptable pruning practices.
Rotational tree maintenance
Through the rotational tree maintenance program, the town proactively prunes all town-owned street trees on a ten-year rotational cycle to improve tree health and structure, and provide clearance for sidewalks, roads, buildings, and traffic signs and lights.
In 2024, the rotational tree maintenance program will include town-owned street trees in two areas: between Fourth Line and Sixteen Mile Creek from the QEW south to Lakeshore Road, and between Neyagawa Blvd./Fourth Line and Preserve Drive, from Dundas Street north to Burnhamthorpe Road.
Rotational tree pruning is performed on town trees only. In some cases, town trees are located on the municipal property bordering a homeowner’s yard which may include the house-side of the sidewalk.
You can find more information about the town’s tree pruning programs on the Town Tree Maintenance page.