Forestry Management
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Urban Forest
A community’s urban forest provides a combination of environmental, community and economic benefits, and therefore the urban forest is an essential Town asset. The Town of St. Marys seeks to foster a sustainable urban forest and has established processes to maintain, enhance and protect the urban canopy.
The Town of St. Marys is responsible for all municipally owned trees within the road allowance, municipal parks and naturalized areas. The Town does not regulate the planting, maintenance or removal of trees on private property, unless as required by the Planning Act.
The Town’s Forestry Management Plan outlines the Town’s approach for maintaining, enhancing and protecting the urban forest.
Do you have a concern regarding a Town tree? Please see below for several frequently asked questions that may help you understand your concern. If you do not find what you are looking for, please contact the Town’s Public Works Department for a tree inspection at 519-284-2340 or by email.
Maintenance and Removal of Town Trees
| Boulevard Tree Inspections |
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The Town is responsible for maintaining trees within the road allowance, including the boulevard. Should you have a request for tree trimming or are concerned about the health of a boulevard tree, please submit a request by email or call 519-284-2340. Upon request, a work order is created for a Public Works Operator to determine the ownership, and health of the tree and determine next steps. Tree concerns and requests are addressed on both a priority and scheduling basis. |
| Tree Pruning |
The Town has a tree pruning program made up of three streams:
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| Tree Removal |
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To protect the urban canopy, the Town shall only remove public trees under the following circumstances:
Town Employees or its contractors on behalf of the Town are the only parties authorized to complete maintenance or removals of trees on public lands. |
| Tree Damage after a Storm |
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During a severe weather event Public Works Operators or the Town’s Forestry Contractors will respond to residents and emergency services on a priority basis. Emergency crews will prioritize fallen trees that are blocking roads, or public trees which have fallen on buildings or hydro lines as soon as crews can be dispatched. Public Works crews may need to leave fallen materials at a site to attend another call during a storm event; the crew will return at a later time to complete the original request as resources become available. If you need to report storm damage with respect to publicly owned trees, please call: 1-866-750-8220 (after hours), or 519-284-2340 ext. 221 (during operating hours). All forestry debris after a weather event may be taken to the following locations:
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Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Tree Removal
| Does the Town own the tree in front of my house? |
| If the tree is between the sidewalk and the curb, it is a Town-owned tree. If there isn’t a sidewalk or the tree is located on your front yard, contact the Town’s Public Works Department at 519-284-2340 or by email to have a Town Operator come out to measure property lines and determine if the tree is privately owned or Town owned. |
Am I allowed to remove or trim any trees? |
| Cutting, trimming, or removing Town-owned trees is not permitted. Homeowners must confirm ownership of a tree on or near their property before doing any work on it. |
| Can I maintain a Town-owned tree in front of my home? |
| We appreciate your help with watering newly planted trees, as well as any tree during long periods of drought. For all other maintenance concerns please contact the Town. |
| How does the Town maintain its trees? |
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The Town has a tree pruning program made up of three streams:
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How does the Town manage tree requests for tree maintenance? |
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Upon request, a work order is created for a Public Works Operator to determine ownership and health of the tree and create a work plan for the tree. |
| The Town tree in front of my house was damaged during a storm, who do I contact? |
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During a severe weather event Public Works Operators or the Town’s Forestry Contractors will respond to residents and emergency services on a priority basis. Emergency crews will prioritize fallen trees that are blocking roads, or public trees which have fallen on buildings or hydro lines as soon as crews can be dispatched. Public Works crews may need to leave fallen materials at a site to attend another call during a storm event; the crew will return at a later time to complete the original request as resources come available. If you need to report storm damage with respect to publicly owned trees, please call: 1-866-750-8220 (after hours), or 519-284-2340 ext. 221 (during operating hours). All forestry debris after a weather event may be taken to the following locations:
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| When does the Town remove trees? |
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The Town removes trees for the following reasons:
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| The tree in front my house looks dead, what do I do? |
| Contact the Town’s Public Works Department at 519-284-2340 or by email to report your concern. A work order will be created for the Town’s Operators to complete an inspection to determine a work plan for the tree (this may include maintenance activities, or if it meets the criteria for removal, the tree may be removed). |
| Who can remove a Town tree? |
| Town employees or its contractors are the only parties authorized to complete maintenance or removals of tree on public lands. |
| Will the Town replace a removed tree? |
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For the removal of every Town-owned tree, the Town will plant three additional trees, at a ratio of 1:3. The replacement trees may not be planted in the same location as the removed tree. When possible, the Town will try to replace boulevard trees, however, sometimes there is not enough space to plant a new tree, even if there was a big tree. Decades ago, trees were often planted in very narrow boulevards but when the trees got large, they would damage the sidewalk, curb, or road. The Town tries to avoid these problems by not planting a tree unless there is enough space for it to grow to its mature size. |
Town Tree Planting
The Town of St. Marys plants new trees in the spring and fall to improve and supports its urban canopy.
For the removal of every Town-owned tree, the Town will plant three additional trees, at a ratio of 1:3. The replacement trees may not be planted in the same location as the removed tree. When possible, the Town will try to replace boulevard trees.
All tree planted on public lands will be as approved by the Town’s tree species list.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Town Tree Planting
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What kind of trees does the Town plant? |
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The Town of St. Marys plants a wide selection of tree species. The Town of St. Marys tree species list contains varieties best suited to grow in St. Marys. The species are divided into two lists: modified environments (i.e. streetscapes), and natural areas. Residents are welcome to request a particular type of tree, however, Town staff makes the final choice based on species availability, site space, overhead utilities, and the soil types in an area. |
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Do I have to take care of new trees on or near my property? |
| The Town relies on residents to help with the care of new and young trees. If possible, please water them thoroughly once a week in dry weather. Please use caution when using grass trimmers near trees. |
| Where will a new tree be planted? |
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The location of a tree depends a few items, including:
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Privately Owned Trees
| Does the Town regulate trees on private property? |
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The Town does not regulate trees on private property, except when there is a planning application. |
| When does the Town regulate private trees? |
| If a property owner has submitted a planning application (i.e., Subdivision, Site Plan Agreement or Minor Variance), the Town may require the Applicant to create a tree conservation and management plan. This plan determines how trees will be removed in the development process, and how compensation plantings will be achieved. |
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I removed or pruned a tree on my property, what do I do with the debris? |
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All forestry debris may be taken to the following locations:
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| I want to plant a tree on my property, what do I need to know? |
| If you wish to plant in an area that faces the street, please contact the Town’s Public Works Department at 519-284-2340 or by email before you plant to ensure the tree is on your property. |
| I want to plant a tree on my property, what species should I plant? |
| The Town has created a tree species list, the list accounts for modified environments and natural areas. This list might be helpful when considering different tree species. Property owners are not required to abide by this list. |