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Forestry Profile
To promote and preserve a sustainable urban forest through species diversity, tree-health management, professionalism, and community awareness.
Mandate: Bylaw 15-125 To Regulate Trees on or Affecting Public Property, and Tree Preservation and Sustainability Policy.
- Increase the City’s tree canopy coverage to over 35%;
- Protect the City’s highways (roadways and public spaces as per Municipal Act, 2001 (64)), and those using the highways through maintenance of trees on or affecting the highways; and
- Regulate and/or prohibit the destruction or injury of public trees.
Pursuant to the Forestry Section’s Mandate above we: plant a diverse range of tree species; operate a tree trimming/maintenance program above industry basic-standard; manage a development plan review and tree removal permit process; engage in public outreach programs to educate the public on the value of trees; hire professionals trained in Arboriculture; and strive for excellent customer service.
Activities provided by the City of Hamilton Forestry Section:
- Street Tree Trimming/maintenance
- Removal of Dead, Diseased, or Dangerous Trees and Stumps in Public Spaces
- Plant Trees in the Public Right-of-Way and other Public Spaces
- Operate a 24-hours 7-days a Week, Emergency Response Protocol
- Monitor the City’s Existing Tree Canopy Through our Forest Health Program
- Urban Forestry Protection Through Development Plans Review and Permitting
- Pest Management Programs Such as Emerald Ash Borer, and Gypsy Moth Control
- Public Education Programs
Service Details
Related Subservices
- Tree Planting
- Tree Maintenance
- Tree Maintenance and Planting Support Services
Type of Service
- Public facing
Rationale
- Essential/Mandatory, Legislated requirement (for emergency services access)
Primary Funding Sources
- Grants/Subsidies
- Net Levy
- User Fees
- Area Rating Reserves
Service Level
- At standard
Service Level Source
- Legislated
- Council approved policy or service standard
Performance Measures
2017
How much did you do?
- Total trees planted: 11,849
- City-wide Tree Planting Program: 7,063 (includes 1,300 EAB replacements)
- Container stock through the 50 Million Trees Program: 4,500
- Councillor funded ward specific programs: 286
- EAB Management Plan: 3,300 removals and 150 injections.
- 1,200 Development Application review by year end (23% increase over 2016)
How Well Did You Do It? (quality)
- Large Caliper Tree Planting Daily KPI: 48 trees (Annual Target = 5,760)
- Large Caliper at year-end = 5,283 TTL = 11,849
- Grid Trimming Daily KPI: 390 cm dbh per day (Annual Target = 189,150)
- Target exceeded and KPI method is under review for greater accuracy in data input.
- Investigator Service Requests KPI: 50 /person/week
- 17,445 responses to calls/emails for Forestry service at year-end, including storm response (917)
Is Anyone Better Off? (impact)
- Increased canopy coverage ties directly to the strategic priority of Clean and Green.
2016
How much did you do?
Tree Planting
- Trees planted: 15,062
- Some examples of how trees were allocated:
- Ash tree replacements as per the Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan (1:1 replacement): 1,699
- Street trees as per the Free Street Tree Program: 1,848
- Tree planting service requests: 5,435
Tree Maintenance
- Customer Service Requests: 10,615
- Removals and Stumping: 217,237 cm
- Storm Response: 590 trees
- Storm Investigations: 225 trees
- Plans reviewed and comments provided in regards to municipal tree assets: 978
- Date modified: