All trees located throughout the Town of Oakville make up the "urban forest." Municipal trees contribute to an important part of Oakville's urban landscape while providing a wide variety of social, community, economic and environmental benefits. These benefits include climate moderation, air quality improvements, water conservation, habitat for birds and other wildlife and increased property values.
Mission Statement: The urban forest should be managed under a long-term strategy of sustainable development to provide a perpetual green cover on public lands.
Scroll down to learn more about urban forestry email forestry@oakville.ca or call 905-845-6601, ext. 3348.
Winter Tree Pruning
Oakville Hydro has retained the town's Urban Forestry Services unit to conduct regularly scheduled tree maintenance to create the necessary clearances between hydro wires and any trees in the immediate proximity. Visit the Oakville Hydro website to find out which neighbourhoods will be affected as well as examples of the types of trees that require pruning.
Private Tree Protection By-law - Now In Effect
Following an extensive, two-year public consultation process, Council approved the Private Tree Protection By-law for the Town of Oakville at the September 29, 2008, Council meeting. The Private Tree Protection By-law came into effect Wednesday, October 1, 2008.
Trees on Town Property By-laws
All street trees located on municipally owned property are protected by the by-laws below. The town's Urban Forestry Section is responsible for the planting, protection, maintenance and removal of these trees.
- By-law 2009-025 (pdf) is a by-law to authorize and regulate the planting, care, maintenance and removal of trees on town property and ensuring the sustainability of the urban forest.
- By-law 2003-021 (pdf) is a by-law to regulate site alterations within the Town of Oakville. Amendment 2008-124 (pdf).
- By-law 1999-159 (pdf) is a by-law to prescribe rules and regulations for parks within the Town of Oakville. Amendment 2005-197 (pdf).
Enter the Oakville Urban Forest Arts Contest
Oakvillegreen Conservation Association and the Town of Oakville invite local residents and students to capture the beauty of Oakville's urban forests by entering the Oakville Urban Forest Arts Contest. Short stories, songs, poems and photographs with the theme Our Future Forest, are wanted. Winners will be announced at the Urban Forest Awards at Town Hall in March 2010. For more information, visit the Oakvillegreen website.
Emerald Ash Borer - New Information!
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has taken action to limit the spread of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) by issuing a ministerial order to prohibit the movement of firewood of all tree species, and ash tree products such as nursery stock, logs, branches, and wood chips into or outside the Region of Halton. For more information view the May 1, 2009, news release or download our EAB Questions and Answers document (pdf, 50 kB).
Construction Near Trees
Property owners or their designates performing work adjacent to trees must install a tree protection fence. The fence must remain in place throughout the entire construction period. The Town's Tree Protection Policy enables the establishment of procedures to prevent damage or destruction of trees during construction. The Tree Protection During Construction Procedure applies to Town and private trees covered under any municipal permit process or agreement relating to construction.
2007 Forest Capital of Canada
In 2007, the Town of Oakville was named the Forest Capital of Canada. Read the April 16, 2007, press release for details. Watch a six-minute video on TownTV of Respect for Mother Earth - a story-telling performance by the Canadian Forestry Association Ambassador, Daniel Richer.
Gypsy Moth Project
In March 2008, Council approved a recommendation for the aerial spraying of about 63 hectares of Town forest properties to help control the insect infestation. Two public meetings and a free workshop were held in April. Two aeiral sprayings took place at the end of May 2008. Visit the Gypsy Moth in Oakville web page to learn more.
Learn more about the park and prescribed burns.
Urban Forest Strategic Management Plan
The Urban Forest Strategic Management Plan for the Town of Oakville 2008-2027 sets out the steps necessary to achieve short, medium and long-term goals for Oakville's urban forest over a 20 year period. Download the 2008 Urban Forest Strategic Management Plan (pdf, 14 MB).
Oakville's UFORE (Urban Forest Effects Model) Report
The Urban Forest Effects Model (UFORE), designed by the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, has been used to quantify urban forest structure and numerous urban forest effects in cities worldwide. Over the summer of 2005, approximately 500 residents and businesses participated in the Town's UFORE project. Randomly generated sample plots combined with local pollution and weather data were used to measure the air quality benefits provided by trees, shrubs and other types of vegetation growing throughout Oakville. These benefits were then converted to their economic value.
To learn more about Oakville's UFORE project
Protection of Greenspace
The Urban Forestry Section reviews Tree Preservation Plans for new plans of subdivision, site plan applications, Public Works and Region of Halton capital projects, and utility installations with regard to protection of Town trees. It also develops urban forestry policy for the Town.
Pruning
The Town of Oakville prunes trees on municipal properties only. Requests should be referred to the Oakville Parks and Open Space Department, Forestry Section at 905-845-6601, ext. 3348 for large trees and newly planted trees that require attention (i.e. broken stakes).
Reporting Damaged or Diseased Trees
If you note a municipal tree is damaged or diseased and requires attention, please contact the Oakville Parks and Open Space Department, Forestry Section at 905-845-6601, ext. 3348.
Planting of Trees and Replacement Tree Planting
The Forestry Section is responsible for the planting of trees on Town road allowances and in new subdivisions, as well as replacement trees in established neighbourhoods. The Town plants approxiately 1,800 trees per year. Replacement trees (or infill trees), are planted in areas where trees used to exist or that have been recently removed and stumped. In some cases, the Town cannot replace trees due to site limitations, species availability and budget restrictions (trees must be planted at least 12 metres from each other). For more information, or to request a municipal tree, please contact the Oakville Parks and Recreation, Forestry Section at 905-845-6601, ext. 3383.
New Subdivisions
After residents move into a subdivision, it may take up to three years for trees to be planted because the Town cannot plant in areas of the subdivision that are not complete due to road construction and laying down of sod. Street trees are planted on public lands based on a one tree per 12-metre frontage basis in residential subdivisions. Not every address receives a tree due to space limitations, diversity of soil, tree species availability and any utility obstructions such lights, hydro poles and stop signs. New homeowners may find that there is a tree-related charge on the closing purchase of their new home. In some cases the charges have been specifically assessed by developers to builders and then passed on to new homeowners. Tree planting agreements are made between the Town of Oakville and the developer and NOT the homeowner. The Town does not provide refunds for street tree planting.
Tree Care Information
Trees benefit everyone! Trees purify the air we breathe, help reduce the effects of pollution, increase property values, create and enhance wildlife habitats, and conserve energy by reducing heating and cooling costs on your home. Find out how you can care for your trees here. The trees planted on your street were carefully chosen and planted to provide shade, windbreaks and privacy; attract birds and wildlife; and to beautify your neighbourhood. In an effort to keep trees healthy, Oakville's Urban Forestry Section asks you to help maintain your municipal tree by following these tips:
- Keep lawn mowers and string trimmers away from the stem of the tree to avoid damage to the bark. Severe bark damage can result in the eventual death of the tree.
- Leave wood chips in place as they protect the tree from damage. The chips also reduce water loss by allowing water and nutrients to penetrate the soil more easily.
- Do not pile soil or grass clippings over the mulch.
- Maintain a healthy lawn and boulevard - the tree will receive sufficient amounts of water.
- Saturating the tree infrequently encourages the production of a deep root system and drought tolerant trees. Frequent shallow watering encourages surface rooting, which makes the tree more vulnerable to drying out.
How much water should be used?
- A newly planted tree on clay soils (typically found in Oakville north of the QEW) with a diameter of 6 cm (2.4 inches) will require approximately 45 litres (10 gallons) of water every 10 to 14 days. Take rainfall (or lack thereof) and lawn irrigation schedules into account when planning your tree watering schedule. Trees on sandy soils require about twice as much water as trees on clay soils (every 5 to 7 days). Apply water slowly into a "berm" of mulch placed at the edge of the planting hole, moving it outward to enlarge the basin as the tree grows.
- Mature trees located on clay soils require approximately 7 litres (1.6 gallons) of water for every centimetre (0.4 inch) of tree diameter (measured at breast height: 1.3 metres (4.5 feet) above the ground).
- For a more detailed technical review on establishing a water management program for trees, please refer to Harris, R. et al., 2004, Arboriculture: Integrated Management of Landscape Trees, Shrubs, and Vines, 4th Ed., Prentice Hall ISBN 0-13-088882-6
For a basic overview of watering trees, please refer to A Waterwise Guide to Trees (pdf, kB) - a publication from the website for the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer and Interstate Stream Commission. For more information on how to care for your tree, please visit the Trees Are Good website.
Woodlot Maintenance
The loss of trees in urban woodlands is often unavoidable due to the impact of construction and changes in the environment. Forestry Maintenance Crews carry out the pruning and removal of trees in woodlands throughout the Town. According to practices endorsed by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) all limb and trunk wood is left on site within the wooded area. This encourages the natural regeneration of the woodland by providing biomass material for regrowth and habitat for woodland insects and animals. In leaving all material on site, we do not disturb or affect the sensitive woodland understory (regeneration and native flora and fauna).
