When will my City tree be scheduled for trimming?
Is my tree located on City property or my private property?
Does the City provide wood chips and mulch from the trees they trim or remove?
Where can I find information on the Street Tree Planting Program?
I would like my tree removed, will the City remove it? Will they remove the stump too?
I am concerned about the condition of my City tree, what should I do?
When will my City tree be scheduled for trimming?
The 80,000 trees located on City property of the former City of Hamilton are maintained once every ten years unless circumstances such as a storm demand otherwise.
Currently all the trees located within the former outlying areas (Ancaster, Dundas, Glanbrook, Flamborough, Stoney Creek) are not part of the Forestry Sections ten year grid cycle. These trees are maintained or removed on a request basis only.
The Forestry Section only removes brush and wood from the trees they trim or remove; no private brush is picked up.
A map of the Upper and Lower City will be available to allow you to see which of the 118 grids you are situated within; clicking on your grid will allow you to see the past trimming history of your area and the planned future maintenance schedule.
Please contact Forestry at 905-546-3780 to obtain more information.
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Is my tree located on City property or my private property?
The first thing to recognize is that ownership of the tree is determined by where the tree is situated and not by who planted it. City property generally extends for 33 feet on either side of the centre of the travelled portion of the road.
Homeowners who either knowingly or unknowingly plant a tree on City owned property are giving a "gift" of a tree to the City; this new tree falls under the existing tree by laws and must be maintained by the City. Homeowners cannot trim or remove this tree; if it dies the City will remove it.
Conversely if City staff have planted a tree in the past which is on private property, it is considered a private tree and will not be maintained or removed by the Forestry Section.
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Does the City provide wood chips and mulch from the trees they trim or remove?
The City of Hamilton's Forestry Depot, which is located at 1301 Upper Ottawa {E/S between the Limeridge and Stonechurch}, stockpiles wood chips that are available to the general public on Monday to Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Mulch is not available.
Homeowners or businesses may pick up wood chips as often as they wish; they are responsible to load the chips themselves into bags, trailers or other vehicle with a pitchfork or shovel they have brought along. The wood stockpiled adjacent to the wood chips is not available for removal and use by the public.
Please contact Forestry at 905-546-3780 to obtain more information.
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Where can I find information on the Street Tree Planting Program?
Please see the Street Tree Planting Program website for information on this City program.
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I would like my tree removed, will the City remove it? Will they remove the stump too?
The Forestry Section does not remove trees on demand; a valid reason must exist such as the tree being dead or dangerous, a possible visibility hazard or a liability to the Corporation. Trees are not removed because of fruit or seed production. Crab Apples are the only species of tree that can be removed on request as stated in the Tree By-law.
Once the tree is removed your property will be added to a list for stump removal. Stump lists are submitted twice a month for underground utility locating.
For example, a tree removed on the 1st of the month is not submitted until the 15th. The actual locating and forwarding of the locate diagram to us takes an additional 8 weeks; then the work must be scheduled.
If the stump removal takes place in spring, summer or fall, then soil is placed into the hole and grass seed is left with the homeowner. Winter stumping will require a return trip to add the soil and drop off the seed in warmer months.
Please contact the Forestry Office at 905-546-3780 to obtain more information.
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I am concerned about the condition of my City tree, what should I do?
If you are concerned about the condition of your City tree, please contact the City of Hamilton Forestry Section at 905-546-2424x3780. Information on specific conditions is available below.
Disease or insects:
Trees on City property can be inspected for disease or insects. Many bugs and some diseases will not decrease the vigour of the tree or cause its death. Trees are treated with injecticide for insects like aphids or plant bug if warranted and not sprayed; diseased trees are evaluated for treatment on an individual basis. Many diseases like powdery mildew are weather related and may not occur next year. For a tree on private property, call a Tree Service in the yellow pages.
Bees' nest:
The nests hanging from limbs which appear to be constructed of paper and are commonly as large a football are made by Bald Face Hornets. The removal of nests is generally scheduled for the early morning when the hornets are less active and more likely to be congregated within the nest.
Raised black spots:
Tar Spot appears as a single black spot in a larger yellow spot by early August, these spots increase in size until late September and begin to cause premature leaf drop. Although unsightly, Tar Spot does not decrease the overall vigor of the tree. The best management practice is to rake up all fallen leaves, because leaves left over the winter under the snow cover release new fungal spores in the spring. This starts the cycle all over again. The Forestry Section does not spray or inject to control Tar Spot.
White powdery coating:
The first sign of Powdery Mildew becomes apparent late in the growing season. This condition is most common after periods of high humidity and in trees with dense growth. This fungus may cause a distortion of the leaves and growing tips, the spores become airborne and spread to other trees during the growing season. Management of this Fungus is similar to Tar Spot, leaves must not be allowed to overwinter on the ground where they can reinfect the tree in the spring. The Forestry Section also does not spray or inject for Powdery Mildew.
Roots growing above the grass:
Trees or their roots are never removed due to their surfacing above grade. Homeowners are advised to topdress the raised area with soil and spread shade tolerant grass seed over the area. An investigator will drop off a copy of the booklet "Prune, Water and Feed for Healthy Trees".
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