Trees play an important role in the beauty and environmental health of our City. These trees clean the air by giving off oxygen, storing carbon, and recycling moisture into the atmosphere. They help prevent soil erosion, help modify temperatures, and act as windbreaks. Trees that are located in towns and cities are referred to as “urban trees” and provide much more than attractive landscaping. These trees remove carbon dioxide from the air and help to produce the oxygen people breathe. They also act as visual barriers; well and reduce noise pollution.
Brampton’s urban forest is more than just its ravines and natural areas. It includes the trees and shrubs growing along streets and in people’s backyards. A healthy urban forest is varied, both in species and age, and supports wildlife.
Each year the Urban Forestry Section of the Parks Maintenance and Operations Division inspect over 5,000 trees to ensure the health and integrity of the trees are well maintained, while planting approximately 8,000 trees yearly to contribute to the health of our planet. Urban Forestry is highly committed to protecting, maintaining and managing our urban forests within our community.
In all new residential subdivisions within the City of Brampton street trees are planted by either the Developer or the Builder in accordance with subdivision plans that have been approved by the City. These tress are intended to create a pleasant and healthy environment along our City’s streets.
Considerable effort goes into creating subdivision plans that offer the best placement of parks, walkways, trees and driveways, as well as the best mixture of trees in each community.
Street trees are usually planted in new subdivisions shortly after the lots are sodded. If lots were sodded in the fall, the street trees will probably be planted the next spring. If the lots are sodded in the spring, the street trees will probably be planted in the fall, weather permitting.
Trees are usually not planted during the hot and dry months of July and August.
Although street trees are planted within the City’s road allowance along the front of residential lots, the condition of each tree remains the responsibility of the developer or builder until the subdivision has been taken over by the City. A subdivision is usually assumed by the City after two to four years, once the developer or builder has completed all work required of them by the
City. This means that if a tree dies within two years of being planted, it will be replaced by the developer or builder. If a tree dies after two years of being planted, the City will replace it. |
- Red Oak (Quercus rubrua)
- Chantecleer Pear (Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’)
- Little Leaf Linden (Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’ or ‘Glenlevin’
- Shademaster Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Shademaster’)
- Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
- Red Maple (Acer rubrum )
- Norway Maple (Acer platanoides – ‘Schwedleri’, ‘Crimson King’, ‘Superform’, ‘Royal Red’)
- Ivory Silk Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata ‘Ivory Silk’)
- Maidenhair Tree or Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
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Arborists have the knowledge and equipment needed to prune, spray, fertilize, and otherwise maintain a large tree and an answer questions about tree maintenance, treatments, or recommend species of trees and shrubs for a landscaping project.
An arborist can determine the type of maintenance necessary to improve the health, appearance, and safety of your trees. If necessary, a professional arborist will use a trained crew and will always have the required safety equipment and liability insurance.
When selecting an arborist to assist you with your tree maintenance, check for membership in professional organizations such as the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), or the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA). These memberships show a willingness on the part of the arborist to stay up to date on the latest techniques and information.
Here’s a checklist of minimum requirements to help hire a professional arborist:
- Check for ISA arborist certification. Certified Arborists are experienced professionals who have passed an extensive examination covering all aspects of tree care.
- Ask for proof of insurance.
- Ask for a list of references, and don’t hesitate to check them.
- Avoid using the services of any tree company that advertises topping as a service provided. Knowledgeable arborists know that topping is harmful to trees and is not an accepted practice.
- Avoid using the services of any tree company that uses tree climbing spikes to climb trees that are being pruned. Climbing spikes can damage trees, and their use should be limited to trees that are being removed.
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If you feel your tree requires some type of maintenance, please contact our Parks Maintenance Division at 905-874-2906 for an inspection and follow-up. Please note, requests will be placed in priority sequence. |
The City of Brampton makes every effort to replace all City trees within residential areas the season following the tree’s removal. Each site is reviewed and an appropriate replacement species is selected. (Efforts will be made to maintain the original landscape design for the street whenever possible. Replacement tree size is approximately 60mm or 2 ½” diameter.
If you have questions with regard to new street trees, please call the City of Brampton Planning, Design and Development Department at 905-874-3448. If you have a concern about established street trees, please contact our Parks Maintenance Division at 905-874-2906 |