Urban Forestry staff want to tell you about their street tree planting initiatives

News 100 greenBy Staff

April 30th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The City of Burlington is inviting residents, business-owners and landowners to a virtual information session to learn more about urban forestry initiatives in the city, including the Street Tree Planting program and the annual Gypsy Moth Control program.

Geese on Guelph Line and the apple trees

There were five apple trees on Guelph Line – the drive way leads to a church. The trees were cut down because the geese, who ate the apples, were pooping on the driveway. The promised replacements were never planted.

The open house will take place on Wednesday, May 12, from 7 to 8 p.m. on Microsoft Teams. Registration is not required and there is no cost to attend.

Link to join the meeting will be available on getinvolvedburlington.ca/forestry.

During the meeting, City of Burlington forestry staff will share information about:

• 2021 Gypsy Moth control program – As part of a multi-year pest management program, the City will be using a low-flying helicopter to aerial spray a bio-pesticide over four parks and wooded trail areas (City View Park, Killbride Park, LaSalle Park, Zimmerman Park) to control gypsy moth populations and protect city forests from heavy defoliation. More information about this year’s program, including locations and timing will be discussed at the open house.

• 2021 street tree planting program – Staff will provide insight about the goals for the future of Burlington’s canopy; plant healthcare challenges with growing trees on a street side; and plans to protect the city against future invasive species.

Trees Pine street

Cut down for a development

Quick Facts
• In total, Burlington plants approximately 1,000 trees annually as replacements, through capital projects, development and in response to resident requests for street trees. Trees are typically planted in boulevard settings but are also planted in parks.

• The trees within Burlington’s urban forest provide a wide range of environmental, economic and social benefits, including improved air quality, reduced storm-water runoff, energy savings, noise reduction, natural bird and wildlife habitats, higher property values and overall beautification of city streets and parks.

• The city’s Urban Forestry section is responsible for the city’s ongoing operations and maintenance of municipally-owned trees, forest planning and health, and forest protection. Key programs include: preventative maintenance through grid pruning, tree planting and stumping programs, and the administration of public and private tree protection bylaws.

Background:
Burlington struggles with the tree issue. Everyone loves them but far too many people want to ignore the need for a solid sustainable tree canopy when it gets in the way of what they want to do with their property.

The bureaucrats at city hall understand what the urban part of the city needs but are out of touch with what the rural property owners have to deal with.

mnbh

Old trees in Roseland – not nearly enough new trees being planted.

Roseland – many many really good trees but far too many tress that do not have much time left – there hasn’t been an intelligent planting program – something that should have started years ago.

The most contentious public meetings in the past ten years have been about trees and the private tree bylaw the city has in place.

Burlington really isn’t walking the talk.

Pity – when you pause at the New Street – Gooderam intersection and look south you see what the city has – there is no certainty that this is going to be the same in 25 years.

Belvenia trees-1024x768

What a beautiful street to walk or drive down. The properties on this street sell for a premium because of the trees. But even on this street some homeowners have demanded that they be given permission to cut down a tree.

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5 comments to Urban Forestry staff want to tell you about their street tree planting initiatives

  • Alfred

    Denise.

    I agree planting a tree on your own property would be very foolish with the problems it could cause financially and otherwise. You are now treated like a criminal.

    I disagree with your position that a lot of trees were being cut down by private property owners before the by-law. The amount of trees cut were in the hundreds that were not dead or dying in a City with roughly 3 million trees. The City reports are all public info.

    This by-law gives no incentive to plant a tree and does the exact opposite. The councilors who voted for this got their participation medals like 8 year olds for doing nothing and pretending they did.

    For the low information crowd, did you notice the by-law did not include North Burlington were most of the trees are situated. This is all smoke and mirrors. The people that talk the most appear to be the ones that don’t have trees.

    Paul.

    Canada has over 318 Billion trees. I would hardly considerate it a desert. Unfortunately it’s this type of lies that cause knee jerk reactions by politicians. Make sure you cut them trees down before they get 8 inches in diameter, because after that the City owns your soul. Creative ways to encourage private tree planting is the answer.

  • Alex Brooks-Joiner

    Thank you Gazette for this news piece
    City spends a lot more money taking trees down by their hired contractors than they do plant. As houses get ripped down with the flush of money coming into older neighborhoods their mature trees get the boot for bigger driveways and the suburban look. This is on both sides of the road’s right of way and approved by city staff.

  • Denise W.

    I’m just a messenger….A lot of trees were taken down (legally) prior to the implementation of the bylaw. Tree removal people were doing a land office business. Now trees are seen as a liability, and those with them, will take the tree out before it gets large enough to be covered by the bylaw. Trees = problems, and constraints on a home owner. A hassle to deal with now, fees and applications. The (woke) bylaw has spelled the end of planting trees for many home owners.

  • PAUL KADLICK

    Try living in a desert

  • Alan Harrington

    Trees bring leaves for collection in the fall.

    >> Gazette Headline November 9 2020 <<

    Leaf collection began today – just one collection this year.