Trees & Woodlands

Image of Oakville woodlandThe urban forest is made up of all the trees growing in the Town of Oakville, including town-owned street and park trees, trees in forested areas, as well as trees on private property. Trees are an important part of Oakville's urban landscape, and provide a wide variety of social, health, aesthetic, economic and environmental benefits including:

  • Climate moderation
  • Air quality improvements
  • Water conservation
  • Habitat for birds and other wildlife
  • Increased property value

The town's Forestry Section manages Oakville's urban forest using a long-term, sustainable strategy of development and maintenance in order to provide a perpetual green cover on public lands. In 2007, the Town of Oakville was named the Forest Capital of Canada by the Canadian Forestry Association.

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).

North Oakville Urban Forest Strategic Management Plan

To learn more about Oakville's plan to ensure a sustainable and healthy urban forest for the lands located north of Dundas Street, visit the North Oakville Urban Forest Strategic Management Plan page.

Oakville's Urban Forest Effects Model (UFORE) 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.

Open the 2006 UFORE report (pdf, 5.7 MB)

For more information

Contact the Forestry Section
905-845-6601, ext. 3348
email: forestry@oakville.ca 

Or visit the following pages:

Invasive Species
Native Species
Tree Maintenance
Tree Planting
Tree Protection & Removal