Burlington's urban forests cover more than 3,800 hectares. The City's varying topography encourages different tree species, ages and sizes. Some of the wooded areas are protected or designated environmentally sensitive while others are located within the provincial greenbelt. Halton Region's By-law 121-05 regulates all woodlands that are at least one hectare.
Burlington's urban forest includes extensive wooded natural areas, as well as hundreds of thousands of trees along roads, and in parks, yards and other open spaces. Current analysis estimates an average canopy cover of approximately 23%, comprised of 17% in the urban area and 28% in the rural area.
The city's diverse topography includes the lower Queenston shale slopes, the Niagara Escarpment, the Peel Plain and the Iroquois Plain along the lakeshore. This landform diversity, and it's location within Canada's relatively warm Carolinian Zone, is the basis for the city's ability to support a very high level of tree diversity.
Burlington's urban forest includes trees of different species, ages and sizes. Some are large, old remnants of the area's natural forests; others are small, young saplings. Some have been planted; others have regenerated on their own.
The city's wooded natural areas cover more than 3,800 hectares, with most of those (approximately 3,150 hectares) being within the rural areas. Many of these wooded features are protected as designated environmentally sensitive areas, and some are also located within the provincial Greenbelt. In addition, Halton Region's bylaw 121-05 regulates all woodlands of at least one hectare.
Natural woodlands, or forested areas, account for approximately two thirds of the city's canopy cover, while more isolated trees along roads and in open spaces account for the remaining third. Upland deciduous forests are the dominant wooded natural area type in the city, with coniferous forests, treed swamps, plantations and thickets accounting for the remainder.
Burlington's Urban Forest Management Plan
The City's Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) (PDF) aims to improve tree health and diversity, minimize risks to the public, and encourage healthy, sustainable urban forests. The UFMP reviews existing management practices and recommends improvements for its stewardship and management on public and private lands.
Identifying the best management practices enables the City to transition from reactive to proactive urban forest management. The City reviewed current practices, evaluated leading examples from other jurisdictions, and considered input from Council, City staff, stakeholders and community members during development of the plan.
Five key areas are identified in the plan:
- Management and Implementation;
- Community Engagement and Stewardship;
- Protection and Preservation;
- Replenishment and Enhancement; and
- Tree Health and Risk Management.
More details are found in the UFMP (PDF).