Forestry Services

Oshawa was recognized in the 1999 and 2001 Communities in Bloom Program for our Forestry and Environmental Stewardship Programs that includes over 25,000 urban and rural street trees and over 350 acres of open space and wood lots.

Maintaining a healthy, sustainable, urban forest is very important for the health and beautification of our City.

Urban forestry includes the planting of new trees, pruning of existing trees, removal of declining unsafe trees, stump removal and pest management.  Tree maintenance in the City of Oshawa is completed on a seven-year cycle or by request.

Tree Preservation and Protection in Oshawa        

The City of Oshawa is committed to enhancing the City's woodlots and natural areas now and into the future.  We are working to protect and preserve our trees and woodlands by developing a variety of green policies and regulations and by participating in tree planting and naturalization projects.  Please review the following for more information:

• Tree Preservation and Protection in Oshawa 

Frequently Asked Questions

• Emerald Ash Borer 

• Pruning Tree and Stump Removal
• Tree Planting Requests
• Other

Pruning Tree and Stump Removal

I would like to have the boulevard tree(s) pruned.

Contact Park Services at 905-436-3311 where staff will take the necessary information and answer your questions. Forestry staff investigates all pruning requests and work is completed on the following:

• remove dead or otherwise structurally weak limbs in order to maintain a safe environment for the public;.
• ensure visibility for traffic signage and provide required vehicle and pedestrian clearance; and/or
• address tree related concerns of adjacent landowners by lifting, thinning, or cutting back City owned trees as necessary.

Pruning shall be completed in a professional manner as established by the International Society of Arbouriculture.

Can I prune the City-owned boulevard tree in front of my home?

The public, unless authorized by the Forestry Supervisor, is not permitted to prune or otherwise alter in any way a City owned tree.

I called in awhile ago to have a City tree pruned and no one has come out to do the work?

Tree maintenance at times will take anywhere from a few days to six months to complete. Sites are inspected within a few weeks of the call and work is completed on a priority basis. Priorities would be anything that is a danger to the public. Other requests are completed on a first-come basis and completed according to equipment and manpower availability.

Tree branches have grown up and around the hydro wires, who do I call?

If the tree is on City property, please contact us at 905-436-3311.  We will inspect the site and if necessary will contact Oshawa PUC Networks Inc. (or its designate) who oversees all hydro line clearing/utility pruning. If the tree is on private property, please contact Oshawa PUC Networks Inc. directly at 905-723-4623.

Removal

I want a City-owned tree removed.

Trees will only be removed if they are dead or pose a danger to the public.

When will the stump from the tree removal be taken out?

Stump removals take place 2/3 times a year. Once there are a number of sites on our list we will remove the stumps accordingly.

Tree Planting Request

I would like a tree planted on the boulevard.

Contact Parks Services at 905-436-3311. Your request will be noted and the site will be inspected to ensure the property meets the necessary criteria. Your name and address will be put in our database for consideration in the following year's tree planting program.

What is the criteria for having a tree planted?

The City abides by policy from ISA Urban Forestry, Municipal Survey's and Department Practices. There are certain guidelines to follow when planting near/within intersections, driveways, street lights, fire hydrants, communication box, underground vaults, overhead wires, curbs & sidewalks.

When will the tree be replaced that was removed from the boulevard?

Trees that are removed will most likely be replaced the following year.

When do you plant?

• Spring planting occurs between April 15 and June 15.
• Fall planting occurs between September 15 and until freeze up.
• New tree planting in new subdivisions occurs in the fall.

Other

How do I know if a tree is located on my property or City property?

Review your home survey that shows property lines. As a general rule city trees are planted within 2 metres of the curb or 1.5 metres from the sidewalk on the boulevard side.

Do I need a permit to take down a tree on my own property?

Not at this time. We strongly recommend you check your own survey/deed for property lines and possible restrictions if you back on to a natural area. The website will be updated if the policy changes.

Can I have the wood when you take a City tree down?

Yes - Wood will be left in reasonable sized pieces.

What happens to the wood when you take down a tree on City property?

• Useable firewood is cut up into manageable sized pieces and left on City property (usually the boulevard) for the public to take.
• If the wood is not picked up within a reasonable period of time, Parks staff will return (upon request) and bring the wood to the Park Services Yard for disposal.
• Very large, rotten, or otherwise unwanted logs are taken to the Park Services Yard for disposal.
• Under no circumstances is the public permitted to use a chainsaw on City lands.
• When a tree is removed from a naturalization area, (open space, woodlot), the wood is left to decompose naturally.

I have a new tree planted; how should I care for it?

Your new tree should be watered at least 2 times a week for the first month. Newly planted trees do not require fertilizer the first year. A topping of mulch will help maintain moisture and also acts as protection barrier from lawnmowers and weedies.

Tree roots have grown into my sewer line; what do I do?

Contact Durham Region at 905-655-3344.

Tree roots have grown up above the grass; I can no longer cut the grass in that area.

Park staff will do maintenance on above ground roots on an individual basis.

The tree in the naturalization area behind my home has fallen. Will you remove it? May I take the wood from fallen trees/branches?

Naturalized wooded areas should be left in their natural state and not manicured. The benefits of leaving woody material to decompose include habitat for organisms, recycling of nutrients and organic material, regeneration sites for plants, water reservoirs and tree roots.

Please do not remove any trees or branches from these areas.

Contact: