Forestry

Request a City Tree

We are pleased to announce that the City’s Spring Tree Planting Program is currently underway with great success!

The planting contractor will be planting trees within the municipal right of way until the end of June. The program will halt through the hot summer months and it is planned to resume in the fall, barring any COVID-19 related complications.

The City promotes the planting of large growing tree species, where permitted by local site conditions.  As part of the planning process, City staff have selected tree species that are appropriate to individual planting locations.

This selection is based on specific criteria:

Site Considerations: front lawn right of way vs. boulevard, meeting legislated requirements to maintain sightlines in accordance with the O. Reg. 239/02: Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways, utility setbacks, infrastructure clearance (fire hydrant, light post, etc).

Tree Considerations: mature tree height and canopy size, soil volume requirements for root development, tolerance of high winds, tolerance of road salt spray and soil pH, growth habit, growth rate, tolerance of drought or wet sites, etc.

Environmental Factors: Diversity of the species within the neighbourhood, proximity to the lake and naturalized areas, density of canopy in the area, soil composition, etc.

Residents receiving a tree in the 2021 planting season will receive a doorhanger in advance of the tree planting operation. If residents have any questions or concerns with respect to the species or location chosen, they are encouraged to contact Roads, Parks, and Forestry at (905) 335-7777.

This year the plantings may occur without staking in accordance with the most recent industry recommendations. Stakes will only be installed on trees in high wind areas or if the contractor feels the planting requires additional support.

Please note the contractor is responsible to organize the work in the most efficient route available to them at the time. Coordination involves obtaining and organizing utility locates as required by law, procuring tree stock, working around site restrictions, poor weather, etc. Due to the variables involved in the planning process, the City cannot provide the exact date the contractor will attend to your property. Refer to the map below for an approximate timeframe for tree planting throughout the City.

2021 Tree Planting Schedule and Map

The City’s contractor will be working diligently toward removing stumps within the municipal road allowance to make way for more tree plantings across the City.

The stumping process involves grinding the stump, removing the stump grindings and replacing with soil. The newly placed soil is tamped, and grass seed is placed and watered.

The City’s stumping contractor is responsible to organize the work in the most efficient and safe route available to them at the time. Coordination involves obtaining and organizing locates as required by law, working around site restrictions, poor weather, etc. Due to the variables involved in the planning process the City does not know the exact day the contractor will attend your address. Refer to the map below for an approximate timeframe for tree planting throughout the City.

If the tree in front of your home or business was removed prior to December of 2020, it will be removed this year. Please refer to the map below that indicates 8 zones and the approximate timeframe the City’s stumping contractor will be completing work.

2021 Stump Removal Schedule and Map

The City makes every effort to ensure accurate information is provided to our residents through the zone map. Please note that completion dates are subject to change without notice due to unforeseen circumstances. This zone map will be updated regularly by staff through discussion with the City’s contractor.

Underground Locate Issues:

While the contractor is legally required to obtain locates, the exact location of a telecom line is not often provided. This creates an unfortunate consequence that the stump removal process can sever communications lines often without the contractor realizing it has happened. When a line has been severed, neither the City nor the contractor can call to restore service. The telecom companies will only restore service at the request of the account holder. If you notice your service has been disrupted, please call your telecom provider immediately.

Irrigation line locates are not provided to the contractor as private irrigation lines should not be in the municipal boulevard. If a contractor damages a private irrigation line on city property, it is the homeowners responsibility to replace the line at their own expense.

If you have any other questions or wish to confirm that your stump removal is on the list, submitted to the contractor this year, please email city@burlington.ca. Please ensure your address is included in the email subject line.

Yes. Anytime you see a serious issue with a city tree please call the City and let us know.  Examples of issues of concern may include - a large broken branch hanging over a sidewalk, bus stop, or a park bench; or a tree that has split during a storm, or has uprooted.  Please leave a name, number where we can reach you at, in addition to the location of the issue. Also, do let us know the size of the issue, i.e., "a hanging branch thicker than an adult's arm over a sidewalk."

Not all old trees are a hazard, often they simply require maintenance from time to time. Large trees provide many important environmental benefits including air quality improvements, stormwater uptake, energy savings (shading and wind buffering), carbon uptake, as well as adding to property values. Contact a reputable tree care company who can send out a Certified Arborist, qualified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), to inspect the tree, looking for issues not seen by the naked eye. The Arborist may provide strategies including such as a Plant Health Care treatment plan; pruning; bracing; a tree preservation plan; or advise you of potential risks and options.

Trees on private property are the responsibility of the homeowner. You may wish to consider contacting a reputable tree care company with International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborists on staff. Consulting with a Certified Arborist will provide you with options for consideration based on the health of the tree.

Emerald Ash Borer is a non-native invasive insect from Asia that attacks and kills native ash trees (Fraxinus). Mountain Ash (Sorbus) is not affected by the Emerald Ash Borer. 

Burlington Forestry uses different marks to help identify certain things for our forestry team:

• A "green x” on a tree means that the tree has been identified for removal
• A "green dot" can mean that the tree has been identified for pruning
• For 2018, a "white dot" means that the ash tree was treated as part of our annual treatment program for Emerald Ash Borer
• In parks and woodlots, a "spray-painted ring" around the tree means that it is scheduled for removal.

Sticky sap dripping from your trees can be caused by aphids which secrete honeydew that can cause a sticky coating on things below. Linden trees often attract aphids. We suggest using a garden hose, turn it to a jet spray and spray the tree every few days to help reduce the number of aphids.

The City of Burlington is on a seven-year grid pruning cycle for boulevard trees. The scheduled pruning of boulevard trees includes: raising the canopy above the road and sidewalks and removal of any hazardous limbs and large deadwood.

We do need the help of the community to inform us of any significant hazards in the trees. If you see an issue which you consider to be a serious risk to people or property, please call us with your concerns and we will be happy to come out and inspect the tree. 

• Broken or hanging branches
• Dead or dying branches
• Cracks in the trunk or at branch unions
• Disease and pests
• Decay or rot
• Sightline issues

If you have concerns about a boulevard tree that you think may pose a serious risk to people or property, please contact the Forestry department and we will come out to inspect the tree.

There are many benefits for leaving logs and debris in city-owned woodlots, parks, and creek areas. Decomposing trees slowly add nutrients into the soil over time which helps to retain nutrients and moisture. The logs can act as nurse logs which support new tree growth. Halton Conservation supports this approach for environmental sustainability. Removing debris from woodlots and naturalized areas can cause significant damage to trees and plants already established in these areas. Because of this, we ask that residents refrain from removing wood or branches from naturalized areas. Additionally, unmaintained woodlots can provide tripping and other hazards which can result in your injury during wood removal.