FORESTRY DEPARTMENT

The Forestry Department is responsible for the design, planning, planting and management of publicly owned trees along the streets, parks, landscape green spaces, natural areas, woodlands, within the City of Vaughan.

This includes tree removal of dead or hazardous trees, removal of hazardous limbs and trimming for traffic and pedestrian hazards and clearances.

The primary goal of the Forestry Department is to effectively preserve and manage the Urban Forest, thus providing a better quality of life for our residents.

We also serve as a resource for other departments and public in streetscape design, tree preservation and community planting projects.

Tree Management

The City of Vaughan’s Forestry Department is responsible for the care and maintenance of street, park and woodland trees.

They annually maintain and prune 20,000 trees as part of the block pruning cycle.

Trees are pruned for public safety, to maintain adequate clearances over public roads, sidewalks, traffic signage and streetlights.

Pruning is also done to remove hazardous branches that could cause injury or property damage and to promote good branch structure.

All brush is chipped and re-cycled into mulch for parks and street trees.

Inspection & Assessment

Hazard Trees

The City of Vaughan’s Forestry Department manages all street, parks and woodland trees.

Whenever trees or parts of trees pose a threat to people or property, they are classified as hazardous trees and receive priority one attention.

Our Forestry Inspectors are responsible for inspection and assessment of thousands of trees annually thus ensuring a safe urban forest. All Forestry work is inspected and prioritized in the following manner:

Priority 1. Immediate danger to life or property. Example: dead tree in poor condition, serious traffic hazard, broken limbs, fallen trees.

Priority 2. Hindrance or nuisance to traffic or right-of-way clearance, but not an immediate danger to public safety. Example: dead trees that are still solid, trimming of solid deadwood, low limbs, and minor traffic hazards.

Priority 3. Routine maintenance that does not present a hazard. Example: minor trimming and low branching, aesthetic pruning, trunk removal.

Our Inspectors look for the following when checking hazardous tree:

• large dead branches in the tree
• hanging branches
• rotten wood or cavities in the trunk and main branches.
• cracks or splits in the wood that could lead to failure.
• root problems that could affect the structural stability of the tree.

If you have concerns regarding your street tree, please contact the Forestry Department at 905-832-8577.

Tree Pruning

Why Prune Trees?

Pruning is the most common and important tree maintenance practice.

Well pruned trees look better, are healthier, safer and lives longer.

Improperly cared for trees, shorten the life of the tree.

Trees are pruned for:

• public safety
• to provide height clearance for pedestrian and vehicular traffic
• remove dead branches
• eliminate hazards
• remove crowded & rubbing limbs
• increase air and light penetration into the trees crown
• remove multiple leaders and promote a strong central leader
• develop proper structure.

Pruning Cycle

The Forestry Department cares for street and park trees throughout the city. The city uses a block pruning cycle to prune trees.

The block pruning cycle allows staff to maintain safe clearances above roads and sidewalks and develop proper branch structure and strong central leaders. The block pruning cycle is an efficient system of tree maintenance.

Construction Management

The Forestry Department works with other agencies to prevent construction damage to city trees during all construction activities, including the installation and repair of utility services.

The Forestry Supervisor reviews both public and private construction plans, advises alternatives to reduce tree damage, inspects works in progress and cost recovery for damages to city assets.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. I would like my boulevard tree pruned. Who do I contact?

The Forestry Department provides care for all the trees on city owned property. This includes tree removal of dead and hazardous trees, removal of hazardous limbs and the trimming for traffic and pedestrian hazards and clearances.

Please contact Vaughan Forestry at 905-832-8577.

2. I would like a tree planted in front of my house? Who do I contact?

The City of Vaughan’s Forestry Department is responsible for street tree planting in established neighbourhoods, industrial areas, parks, road reconstruction and beautification projects. The department annually plants between 1000-1500 trees.

Trees are planted, to provide beauty, help to improve the air quality and add economic value to your neighbourhood.

The City contracts out the supply and installation of trees. The Forestry Supervisor visits the tree nursery and selects and marks all trees.

Prior to planting, the Forestry Supervisor identifies and marks all tree locations.

The following is a list of criteria used in selecting location and tree species:

• underground and above ground utilities
• wet or dry site
• shady or sunny
• mature height and shape
• tree projected longevity
• flowers or fruit
• susceptibility to diseases or insects
• sensitivity to salt

Should you like a tree planted in the public boulevard, please contact the Forestry Department at 905-832-8577.

3. Why should I not top trees?

Topping is the senseless practice of removing a majority of a trees branches and is not an acceptable arboricultural practice.

Important facts to remember about topping:

• Topping will not make trees safe, it creates a hazardous tree.
• Topping makes a tree more susceptible to storm damage.
• Topping makes a tree more prone to insect and disease problems.
• Topping is a waste of money.

CORRECT PRUNING IS THE BEST THING THAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR TREE!

It is illegal to top public trees. If you would like your City tree pruned, please contact the Forestry Department at 905-832-8577

4. Why does PowerStream trim trees?

Trees that grow into electrical lines are the leading cause of power outages

Trees add significant beauty and value to our communities but they can also pose hazards to property.

This is why you see PowerStream staff trimming trees on your streets and in your neighbourhoods.

When staff evaluate trees for trimming, the utility’s primary objective, is to prevent outages, as well as to maintain the aesthetic integrity of the trees.

Sometimes it is necessary for staff to trim trees severely to maintain adequate clearances around its wires. The PowerStream staff sometimes removes large branches to train future growth of the tree away from the wires.

If this cannot be achieved, the City’s Forestry Representative will assess the tree and may opt to remove the tree rather than create an eyesore.

The tree will be replaced during the regular planting season with recommended trees for under power lines.

PowerStream staff follows established city and industry pruning standards.

Should you have any questions or require further information, please contact the Forestry Department at 905-832-8577. For the hydro pruning schedule, please contact PowerStream at 905-417-6900

5. The tree roots are damaging my sewer pipe. Who is responsible?

In the City of Vaughan, each property owner is responsible for the entire sewer pipe up, to the property line.

Tree roots are often blamed for blocking sewer pipes; however, tree roots only penetrate sewer pipes that were previously damaged by other factors such as poor construction, aging and soil settlement.

When the small exploratory roots come into contact with cracked or leaking pipe, they are stimulated to grow vigorously often into the damaged pipe.

The combination of roots and solid wastes will usually develop into a partial or complete blockage of the sewer line.

1. The following is a list of treatments available to homeowners to correct blockage problems in the sewer line.
2. Plumbing contractors have equipment for removing blockages from the sewer lines. This method provides short-term solution.
3. Chemical root inhibitors are available to kill roots.
4. Copper sulphate can be used to kill roots within sewer lines.
5. Sewer pipe liners are inserted into the sewer and positioned into the damaged area of the pipe.
6. Replacement of the sewer pipe in severe cases is the only effective solution.

TREE ROOTS AND SEWERS

ROOT FACTS:

Most roots grow horizontally and upward through soil.

Most roots are in the top foot of soil, few are deeper then 1metre (3ft.).

Many roots extend radially far beyond the tips of the branches.

Roots grow best in the upper layers of the soil because the available water and nutrients are concentrated in these layers.

Roots will not grow where moisture and oxygen are available.

Tree surface area of the root system is larger than that of the leaves and branches.

6. Does the City have a memorial tree program?

The City of Vaughan has a Tree Dedication program that provides an opportunity for trees to be planted in neighbourhood parks to commemorate a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasions.

Please contact the Forestry Department at 905-832-8577 to obtain a Tree Dedication brochure.

7. Does the City supply mulch?

The Parks and Forestry Department supplies mulch through our Environmental Days program. Residents can fill up to 3 reusable containers / bags per vehicle to use for their boulevard tree(s).

For more information please click here

8. What to do with tree surface roots?

The surface roots of a tree can make cutting or growing grass extremely difficult and frustrating

The roots of the tree, provides mechanical support as well as nutrients and water uptake for the trees. Many species will naturally develop surface roots; others develop surface roots because of soil compaction and improper watering.

Roots naturally grow in the top 10-20 cm of the soil. They also extend beyond the crown edge.

The City of Vaughan’s Forestry Department does not remove surface roots on city street trees.

Cutting roots is not recommended because cut roots, creates an entry way for harmful insects and diseases.

Burying roots disrupts natural root functions and is a temporary solution. The trees roots will resurface.

Solutions:

Mulching

Apply a 10cm(4") layer of mulch over the surface root. This will benefit the tree by creating a better growing environment, keep weeds suppressed and keeps lawn mowers and string trimmers away.

TIPS:

• KEEP SURFACE ROOTS IN PLACE
• DO NOT CUT ROOTS
• DO NOT BURY ROOTS
• REMEMBER THE ROOTS ARE IMPORTANT FOR THE STABILITY AND HEALTH OF THE TREES

9. Private Tree Failure on Public Property. Who is responsible?

If a private tree falls into a street, only that portion of the tree that is on public property will be removed. The remainder of the tree is the responsibility of the property owner.

10. Who do I contact for trees on York Region roads?

York Region Forestry is responsible for the maintenance of trees on all regional roads, example: Hwy #7 & 27, Centre Street, Yonge Street, Dufferin Street, Keele Street, Rutherford Road, Major Mackenzie Drive.

For all enquiries, please contact York Region Forestry at 905-764-6346.

11. I live in a new subdivision, my street tree is dead. Who do I contact to have it replaced?

The planting of all street and buffer trees in new subdivision is the responsibility of the Developer/Builder. Please contact your builder/developer directly for replacement of dead street trees, new tree planting and refunds.

The City of Vaughan does plant trees in new subdivisions. Once the subdivision is assumed by the City, all tree maintenance and replacement plantings is the City’s responsibility.

12. Who is responsible for trees encroaching street lights?

The City of Vaughan Forestry Department is responsible for clearing all vegetation from streetlights.

When a City tree encroaches a streetlight, the Forestry Inspector will assess the tree and determine the best method of pruning that clears the light but does not affect the health of the tree.

In some cases, the tree may be removed to achieve adequate light levels.

All efforts are made to protect the trees.

Should you have a streetlight/tree conflict, please contact the Forestry Department at 905-832-8577.

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