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

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.