Forestry

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Burlington is committed to fostering a thriving urban forest that enhances the quality of life for its residents. The goal of achieving 35 percent tree canopy cover by 2060 reflects the City’s dedication to creating a healthier, greener environment.

The urban forest provides aesthetic value and also delivers a broad range of benefits to the community. From improving air quality and reducing stormwater runoff to creating natural habitats for wildlife, the trees of Burlington help contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable city, providing socio-economic benefits, resulting in higher property values, noise reduction, and overall beautification of the

Burlington is committed to fostering a thriving urban forest that enhances the quality of life for its residents. The goal of achieving 35 percent tree canopy cover by 2060 reflects the City’s dedication to creating a healthier, greener environment.

The urban forest provides aesthetic value and also delivers a broad range of benefits to the community. From improving air quality and reducing stormwater runoff to creating natural habitats for wildlife, the trees of Burlington help contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable city, providing socio-economic benefits, resulting in higher property values, noise reduction, and overall beautification of the City and its neighbourhoods.

The City’s Urban Forestry section is responsible for the ongoing care and maintenance of municipally-owned trees, forest planning, health and protection. This includes key initiatives such as grid pruning, tree planting, young tree care, stumping programs, and the administration of the public and private tree protection by-laws

  • Upcoming Public Engagement Session: Greening the Crosstown Trail

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    In 2024, Council approved staff to move forward with a pilot project to transform a portion of the Crosstown Trail between Guelph Line and Fisher Avenue into a vibrant, low-lying meadow habitat to enhance biodiversity, support pollinators and improve the natural beauty of the space.

    As part of the planning process, the City is exploring ways to convert the bordering grass areas along the trail into a more diversified plant community. The conversion into a low-lying meadow, would feature a mix of grasses, wildflowers, and pollinator-friendly species resulting in a community that supports both plant diversity and pollinator populations.

    Early phases of the planning process include engaging with the community and conducting ecological assessments of the designated area. Assessments include surveys of plants, insects, birds, and mammals to measure existing conditions during the spring and summer months. This will help to determine the feasibility of the meadow project.  While this initiative has received Council approval, additional approvals from Burlington Hydro and Infrastructure Ontario will be required before implementation.

    On March 25, residents are invited to join City staff and Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan at Mountainside Recreation Centre to learn more, provide feedback, and ask questions about this project. Community feedback will help guide the planning process and ensure the project meets local needs.

    Public Meeting Information:  

    • Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025 
    • Time: 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 

  • Mark your Calendars: Burlington launches Significant Tree Maintenance Rebate pilot to preserve trees

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    The City of Burlington is launching a Significant Tree Maintenance Rebate pilot program to help residents take care of established trees on their property. This rebate will subsidize 50 per cent of maintenance costs, up to $1,000 per tree, per property. Applications will be accepted from March 31 to April 25, 2025, on a first-come, first-serve basis.

    This rebate is for trees that are 75 cm in diameter or larger. The City's private tree by-law calls these "significant trees."

    Established trees offer important benefits that younger trees cannot provide, such as:

    • More shade and cooling, due to their fuller canopies;
    • Better air quality because of their larger surface area for filtering pollutants;
    • Larger root systems that help absorb and hold more water, reducing stormwater runoff and the risk of flooding.

    Protecting these trees is important because it can take decades to replace their environmental and community value. With this grant, residents can help reach the City of Burlington’s long-term canopy goal by maintaining these valuable community assets.

    To apply, residents must live within the City’s urban boundary, where the private tree by-law applies. Participation in this pilot program is limited due to the dedicated budget of $25,000 approved by Council.

    Mark your calendar! Applications open March 31—don't miss your chance to apply. The application form will be available at burlington.ca/TreeRebate.

  • Celebrate National Forest Week (September 22-28) with the City and community partners!

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    Next week is National Forest Week! From September 22-28, 2024, we’re inviting residents to learn more about the importance of our urban forest and its significance to Canada’s culture, history, and future.

    If you weren’t able to participate in the City’s sold out Fall Tree Giveaway this Saturday, there’s still ways to get involved during National Forest Week. Check out some engagement and education related opportunities below. Pre-registration is required for some of these events:

  • Fall 2024 Tree Giveaway

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    The City of Burlington is giving away 500 trees to residents. Trees are free but residents will need to register ahead of time and select their preferred tree.

    The registration page is available on Tuesday, September 3 at 9 a.m.

    Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
    Time: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Pick-up time is dependent on species selected
    Location: Roads, Parks and Forestry Operations Centre, 3330 Harvester Rd., Burlington

    PICK UP 9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: Basswood (Tilia americana)

    PICK UP 9:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.: Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)

    PICK UP 10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: Ironwood (Ostrya virginiana)

    PICK UP 10:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.: Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)

    PICK UP 11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. : Mountain Ash (Sorbus americana)

    The trees will be in 3-gallon pots with a height range of 40 – 200 cm. A City staff member will place the tree into your vehicle.


  • Participate in the City’s Street-Side Tree Planting Program!

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    The City of Burlington’s Street-Side Tree Planting program is designed to bring more trees to our neighbourhoods.

    How to Get Your Street-Side Tree

    Getting involved in our Street-Side Tree Planting program is easy, hassle-free and just three steps:

    1. Contact us! Call the City at 905-335-7777 or email city@burlington.ca(External link) and mention that you’d like to participate in the City’s Street-Side Tree Planting program.
    2. Forestry Investigator Visit: An investigator will visit to assess the property and help select the right tree.
    3. Planting: If the right-of-way is a good candidate for a tree a good candidate for a tree, staff will add your address to the list of planting locations for the upcoming planting season.

    Program Guidelines

    Eligibility for participation in the program is determined by factors such as property size, proximity to the road, and other relevant considerations. Not all properties will be a good candidate for a street-side tree.

    Residents can indicate the tree species preference at the time of request. Staff will try to accommodate resident requests; however, species choice is not guaranteed.

    Scheduling of tree planting will be determined by the location, suitability and availability of the chosen tree species, as well as the current number of requests.

    It's best to contact the City so that staff can best determine feasibility for participation in the program.

Page last updated: 12 Mar 2025, 03:29 PM