Spring Tree Planting Season

This week marks the beginning of the City’s spring tree planting season. Spring is a very busy season for the Forestry Services staff as they also begin spring stumping operations and continue to update the tree inventory. In addition to these seasonal operations, regular tree maintenance such tree pruning, and tree inspections are still ongoing.

Planting

The City’s nursery started receiving tree stock earlier this month. With the planting list ready, the first trees are already in the ground. Prior to planting, utility locations will be marked with flags. Every tree planted increases the city’s tree canopy.

Stumping

Stumping has begun and will run into November, weather permitting. Staff grind the stumps to make room for new trees and reduce tripping hazards in high-traffic pedestrian areas. Once the stump is ground down, topsoil and grass seed are applied. 

Tree Inventory

The tree inventory is a continuous project across the City. Staff are collecting a wide range of data including tree location, species, and health. An inventory of City-owned trees is an essential tool to manage these valuable assets. It helps with the protection and enhancement of urban and rural forests, maintaining sustainable forests for generations to come.

Resident support is required

Residents can help during seasonal operations. Flags are used to mark utility locates. Please don’t move them! Forestry staff will remove them when they are no longer required. Also remember the flags are used to mark utilities, not WHERE the tree will be planted. These flags are critical for both planting and stumping operations.

A tree delivered for the Trees in Trust program could arrive up to 3 days before planting occurs. Residents can help the new tree establish itself by watering it when rainfall is less than 25mm a week. We ask residents to maintain this watering schedule for the first three years of the tree’s life.

When stump grinding is completed on the City right of way in front of a home, we ask residents to water the area after staff have applied the topsoil and grass seed.