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.

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

Strategic Plan Priority - Healthy & Safe Communities and Clean & Green