Get help with a city tree

Report a problem with a city tree or request maintenance. 

City trees grow on public land — boulevards, parks, trails and green spaces. Trees on private property are the owner’s responsibility.

On this page:

1. Report or request tree maintenance
2. Report urgent city tree issues
3. Tree removals and replanting
4. Ash trees and emerald ash borer
5. Insects and nest removal
6. Make a claim
7. Contact us

Report or request tree maintenance

Use our online form to report non-urgent problems or request city tree maintenance, including:

• pruning for safety and clearance
• pest or disease checks
• minor damage, such as small broken branches

City trees are protected by the City Tree Bylaw. Residents cannot cut, prune or remove them. Our certified arborists prune for safety and clearance – not for appearance or more sunlight.

What happens after you submit a request:

• we inspect urgent hazards right away
• we schedule other work by priority
• during peak season (April to October), non-urgent work may take longer

Get help with a city tree

Report urgent city tree issues

Call 519-886-2310 right away if a city tree:

• has storm damage or large broken branches
• is blocking a sidewalk, trail or road
• looks unsafe and could fall

If you believe someone is damaging a city tree, contact Municipal Enforcement.

Tree removals and replanting

Sometimes removal is necessary for safety.

When we remove a tree:

• we mark it with red paint and record it in our inventory
• in uptown, we post signs 2 weeks before removal
• we remove the stump later and prepare the site for a new tree

We replant as soon as conditions allow.

Ash trees and emerald ash borer

We inspect ash trees every year for emerald ash borer:

• we mark affected trees scheduled for removal with a red dot
• contact us if a city ash tree looks unhealthy and is not marked

Ash trees on private property are the owner’s responsibility. Owners should monitor health, consider treatment or remove if hazardous.

Insects and nest removal

We follow provincial pesticide rules and do not spray for insects.

We only remove insect nests when:

• the nest is within 3 metres (10 feet) of the ground
• the nest is a safety risk

Make a claim

If you believe a city-owned tree caused damage and the city may be responsible, submit a claim.