City Trees

The City of Hamilton maintains over 120,000 trees located in parks, open spaces and cemeteries. We also maintain over 300,000 street trees located within the road allowance of the 6,522 kilometres of city roads.

Report an issue with a City tree

Call 905-546-2489 to report a problem with a City tree.

Problems to report include:

  • branches hanging down or touching hydro lines
  • trees damaged or fallen down
  • trees appearing dead or diseased
  • a tree growing so big that is it damaging property
  • trees with bee or wasp nests
  • trees with a swing  hanging from its branches
  • tree roots above the grass

Once a report is filed, a forestry investigator will be assigned to:

  • determine the priority of the tree
  • schedule the tree for trimming or removal

Bee or wasp nests are removed within 24 hours, unless it is reported on a Friday. The nest is removed on Monday in this case.

City trees are trimmed to:

  • remove dead limbs
  • maintain clearance over sidewalks, roadways and away from structures

You can water and fertilize trees on City property but do not trim or remove a tree that is on City property, regardless of who planted it. The City of Hamilton routinely prunes trees located on City-owned property (including parks and road allowances). We also prune trees located on private property if they extend over roads and sidewalks. Trees in the urban area of the city are pruned routinely.

If your tree is in a rural area of the City, pruning is done by request. Please contact 905-546-2489 if your tree needs pruning.

City trees will only be removed if they are:

  • dead
  • considered dangerous
  • crab-apple trees, which are considered a nuisance species under Hamilton’s Public Tree By-law No. 15-125 (PDF, 533 KB).


The following are not considered valid reasons for tree removal requests:

  • tree is messy because of fruit or seeds production
  • leaves clogging eves troughs
  • homeowner does not want to rake leaves

Process for removing trees

Here are the steps we take for removing trees:

  1. If your tree is scheduled for removal, the investigator leaves a form in your door.
  2. If you wish to have a new tree planted in its place, note this request on the form.
  3. The tree will is scheduled for removal, depending on the priority set by the investigator.

Stump removal

Once a City tree is cut down, the stump needs to be scheduled for removal. There is a wait time for stump removal as stumps are removed by a grid.

Delays for stump removal occur if the City tree is in the middle of a garden or if there is a fence or other object in the way.

You can remove the stump yourself.  However, you should be aware that:

  • Any stump removal or disposal costs that you incur is your own responsibility. The City will not reimburse you.
  • You are responsible for filling in the hole. The City will not fill in the hole later.
  • Once you have removed the stump, you must contact the City to remove your name from the waiting list.

If a City tree needs trimming or removal, but is part of a development which is less than two years old, contact your builder.  It is their responsibility to maintain the tree until the tree is assumed by the City.

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