2020 Spring Tree Planting
Due to COVID-19, the Spring planting season has been significantly delayed. However, the planting contractor has begun the planting in the City and will complete a reduced spring planting operation.
The planting contractor will continue planting until the end of June. The program will halt during the high heat of the summer and it is planned to resume in the fall, barring any other COVID-19 related complications.
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 does not know the exact day the contractor will attend an address.
There is currently a backlog of tree plantings to replace removals from previous years. Stumps removed in 2020 have about a 40% possibility of receiving a tree planting this year. If they are not planted this year, these addresses will be automatically added to the 2021 planned plantings to be submitted to the contractor in 2021.
To keep the trees healthy, the City's Roads, Parks and Forestry Department asks you to help maintain your boulevard tree by following these tips:
- Water the tree regularly to keep the soil moist, but not soaking wet. Over watering can create as many issues for the newly planted tree as drought. Water the tree once every 3 to 5 days with a good soaking. Consider any rainstorms that have happened or are forecasted.
- Keep lawn mowers and string trimmers away from the stem of the tree. Injuries make the tree more susceptible to insect and disease infestations and weaken the trunk. Severe bark damage can result in the eventual death of a tree.
- Woodchip mulch should be left in place to protect the tree from damage, it reduces water loss and allows water and nutrients to penetrate the soil more easily. An approximately 10 cm (4”) layer, placed from just off the trunk to the outer dripline, can improve moisture retention.
- DO NOT volcano mulch or place dirt or grass clippings abutting the trunk of the tree. Any debris touching the trunk of the tree traps dirt and moisture at the trunk promoting rot. Please see the diagram below of a typical volcano mulching and the mulch placement that better supports the health of the tree.
- Image Source: https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-and-plant-advice/horticulture-care/mulching-trees-and-shrubs
- Do not install plants in the mulched area. Any plants (including grass) compete for resources that are all vital during the trees establishment period.
Do not prune or trim trees. Maintenance of city-owned trees should only be undertaken by city staff or contractors on behalf of the City who are trained in arboricultural best practices. If you feel tree maintenance is required, please contact the Roads, Parks and Forestry Department to request an inspection.
If you have any other questions, please email rpf@burlington.ca. Please ensure your address is included in the email subject line.
Tree Care
In an effort to keep the trees healthy, the City's Roads, Parks and Forestry Department asks you to help maintain your boulevard tree by following these tips:
Water the tree to keep to keep the soil moist, but not soaking wet. Over watering can cause root rot or actually drown the tree.
Keep lawn mowers and string trimmers away from the stem of the tree. Injuries make the tree more susceptible to insect and disease infestations and weaken the trunk. Severe bark damage can result in the eventual death of a tree.
Woodchip mulch should be left in place to protect the tree from damage, reduces water loss and allows water and nutrients to penetrate the soil more easily.
Do not plant flowers in the mulched area or pile soil or grass clippings around the base of the tree.
Do not remove support stakes within the first 2 years of the tree being planted.
Do not prune or trim trees. Maintenance to city-owned trees should only be undertaken by City staff or contractors on behalf of the city, who are trained in arboriculture best practices. If you feel tree maintenance is required, please contact the Roads, Parks and Forestry Department to arrange for an inspection.
The City of Burlington undertakes a variety of programs to ensure the urban forest is maintained in a healthy and safe condition.
Tree Pruning
Tree pruning is essential in developing a tree with a strong structure and desirable form. Pruning involves the removal of live as well as dead and/or defective branches from the tree. This can include poorly attached branches, low branches that will interfere with vehicle and pedestrian traffic, diseased branches and a number of other defects.
Pruning of city trees is provided at least every seven years. The seven year cycle is primarily based on the characteristics of trees and the fact they are living organisms and their health can be affected by many external factors. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, weather and temperature fluctuations, sudden change of weather pattern, severe storms, amount of rainfall, insect infestation, acid rain, and wild animals.
Inspection
Street trees are visually inspected for health structure and risk. Mature trees are inspected more frequently to maximize public safety and protection of property.
Tree Removal
Each year, the removal of some of our trees is necessary as they die or become a hazard. Whenever possible, a new tree is planted in place of the one removed.
Wildlife Trees
When a tree needs to be removed, we will try to leave it as a snag or wildlife tree. This is the large stump of a dead or dying tree left to act as a home for wildlife that are good for our ecosystem. Examples of the wildlife that create homes in these trees include insects, birds and mammals.
Nurse Logs
Fallen trees are left on the ground in naturalized areas to help other trees and the natural environment. These trees are called nurse logs.
A nurse log is a fallen tree which, as it decays, provides many benefits to seedlings and mature trees with water, shelter, mycorrhizae, disease protection and nutrients. Downed logs also provide shelter sites and food sources for insects including pollinators, mammals, birds and for amphibians such as salamanders. All these elements are important in maintaining a healthy, well-functioning ecosystem.
Please do not disturb fallen logs or trees in wooded areas. Logs and branches should be left where they are found to help the natural ecosystem and environment.
Tree Maintenance Around Hydro Lines
Hydro One is responsible for clearing trees and other tall vegetation along transmission lines throughout Burlington's rural area, and along the large transmission corridors in both the urban and rural areas. This clearing is conducted in accordance with the Province's Electricity Act for safety reasons.
Hydro One Community Relations
Email: Community.Relations@HydroOne.com
Tel: 1-877-345-6799; (416) 345-6799
www.HydroOne.com/Projects/VegetationManagement
See map for Hydro One Property for areas south of Dundas Street.