Forestry

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.