Home, Property and Environment

Significant Tree Maintenance Rebate Program

The City of Burlington is pleased to offer the Significant Tree Maintenance Rebate Program to support residents in caring for established trees on private property.

Approved by Council and funded at $50,000 through the Tree Establishment & Enhancement Reserve Fund, the program has been expanded from the initial pilot and made permanent to help offset maintenance costs and support more applicants.

The application form and details will be available soon and prior to the program opening. The City will share the application window dates in advance once they are confirmed.

Who can apply for the rebate

Residents within the City’s urban area where the private tree by-law applies.
Check if you live in the urban area by using the City’s interactive map.
This program is only for residential properties and does not apply to commercial or industrial properties.

What size trees are covered under the rebate

Only significant trees as defined within the City’s private tree by-law.
Significant trees are 75cm (2.5ft) in diameter or larger.
To learn how to measure a tree, including those with multiple stems view the Guide to Tree Protection.
You can measure your tree’s diameter by measuring the circumference (distance around the tree) and dividing it by 3.14.

Number of trees eligible for the rebate

You can apply for a rebate for one (1) tree per property.
The tree may be privately owned by a single property owner or be a boundary (shared) tree with an adjacent property. For boundary trees, consent from both owners is required; however, the rebate will be issued to one owner only. If applying for a boundary tree, please complete the co-owner consent form (coming soon).

Type of work covered under the rebate

Talk with a qualified tree professional to determine what work the tree needs. The following select list of tree work maintenance actions are allowed:

Tree crown reduction or retrenchment
Removal of deadwood
Pruning for clearance or elevation of the tree
Installing cables and/or braces to support the tree
Deep root fertilizing
Vertical mulching soil treatment to promote tree health
Radial trenching to de-compact the soil
Applying compost tea to promote tree health
Level 3 Risk Assessment (resistance drilling, sonic tomography, pull test)

If the work you want to do is not on this list, it cannot be considered for the rebate at this time.

**IMPORTANT: Topping and/or pollarding are not acceptable arboricultural practices and will not qualify for the rebate. Make sure you confirm this is not the pruning activity proposed to be completed with your qualified tree professional.

Rebate coverage amount

The rebate covers up to 50% (before taxes) of the cost of the tree work.
The maximum rebate is $1000 per tree per property.
Work must be future planned work and does not include work already completed.
You can only collect the rebate once during the program year.

Rebate processing time

After the City approves the work, you can start the tree maintenance.
You will have 5 months from your approval date to collect your rebate.
Applicants planning pruning work on Oak trees will be able to complete the work in the fall and still qualify for the rebate. Once your application is approved, you will receive timelines to help you schedule a qualified tree professional and ensure there is enough time to complete the work and apply for the rebate.
Once the work is completed and paid for, you’ll apply for the rebate using the link provided to you in your approval email.
Once staff check the details of your payment submission, you should receive your rebate in 4 to 6 weeks.

How do I apply?

Step-by-step process

Talk with a qualified tree professional.

This will help you figure out what work your tree needs.

Check if the work you need is part of the list covered for work for the rebate program.

See our tree work options above

If it is on the list, fill out the rebate application form online. You will need to include:

An owner authorization form (coming soon), if the applicant is not the owner of the tree.

A co-owner consent form (coming soon), if the applicant is applying for a boundary (shared) tree.
The type of tree and diameter size of the tree in centimeters.
A clear photograph of the tree. We have a guide to help you take the right picture
A clear photograph of the measurement of the tree. Use our photograph guide for help and have your arborist measure the tree with their diameter tape.
Name of the qualified tree professional / company who will complete the work and their ISA Certification number.
A quote from the qualified tree professional that outlines the scope of work with the maintenance related work to be performed. Please do not include other work outside of the rebate work on your quote.

Wait for approval.

City staff will notify you if you are successful.

An approval document, reference number and link for the rebate payment application form will be provided.

Go ahead and do the work as approved.

Don't forget to photograph the work being done.

Once the work is finished, apply for the rebate. You will need to include:

The application reference number in the approval email provided by the City.
A photo(s) of the tree following the work, and a photograph(s) of the work performed. Use our photograph guide for help
A copy of the invoice issued from the qualified tree professional.
Proof of payment (receipt) of the invoice.
Your preferred method of how you would like to receive payment of the rebate (e.g., cheque or direct deposit) and payment information.

Once you submit your payment form online staff will check it. If it is approved, you will receive a rebate in 4-6 weeks.

Important Notes

This program has a $50,000 budget for residents to benefit from tree maintenance support.
Staff will review all applications carefully and will approve applications until the fund allotment is exhausted.
Your application must be approved before starting the work.
If you received a rebate during the pilot program, your application will still be considered; however, it will be prioritized after new applicants to provide others with an opportunity to participate.
This rebate cannot be used toward tree permit conditions or by-law violations.
To stay informed, subscribe to getinvolvedburlington.ca/forestry.

Take a moment to read through the instructions before applying for your significant tree maintenance rebate to ensure a smooth process.