 |
|
||||||||||||||||||
| |
|
||||||||||||||||||
 |
City Of Vaughan |
| parks and forestry department | |
| FORESTRY DEPARTMENT The Forestry Department is responsible for the design, planning, planting and management of publicly owned trees along the streets, parks, landscape green spaces, natural areas, woodlands, within the City of Vaughan. This includes tree removal of dead or hazardous trees, removal of hazardous limbs and trimming for traffic and pedestrian hazards and clearances. The primary goal of is to effectively preserve and manage the Urban Forest, thus providing a better quality of life for our residents. We also serve as a resource for other departments and public in streetscape design, tree preservation and community planting projects. Tree Management The City of Vaughan’s Forestry Department is responsible for the care and maintenance of street, park and woodland trees. They annually maintain and prune 20,000 trees as part of the block pruning cycle. Trees are pruned for public safety, to maintain adequate clearances over public roads, sidewalks, traffic signage and streetlights. Pruning is also done to remove hazardous branches that could cause injury or property damage and to promote good branch structure. All brush is chipped and re-cycled into mulch for parks and street trees. Inspection & Assessment Hazard Trees The City of Vaughan’s Forestry Department manages all street, parks and woodland trees. Whenever trees or parts of trees pose a threat to people or property, they are classified as hazardous trees and receive priority one attention. Our Forestry Inspectors are responsible for inspection and assessment of thousands of trees annually thus ensuring a safe urban forest. All Forestry work is inspected and prioritized in the following manner: Priority 1. Immediate danger to life or property. Example: dead tree in poor condition, serious traffic hazard, broken limbs, fallen trees. Priority 2. Hindrance or nuisance to traffic or right-of-way clearance, but not an immediate danger to public safety. Example: dead trees that are still solid, trimming of solid deadwood, low limbs, and minor traffic hazards. Priority 3. Routine maintenance that does not present a hazard. Example: minor trimming and low branching, aesthetic pruning, trunk removal. Our Inspectors look for the following when checking hazardous tree:
If you have concerns regarding your street tree, please contact the Forestry Department at 905-832-8577. Tree Pruning Why Prune Trees? Pruning is the most common and important tree maintenance practice. Well pruned trees look better, are healthier, safer and lives longer. Improperly cared for trees, shorten the life of the tree. Trees are pruned for:
Pruning Cycle The Forestry Department cares for street and park trees throughout the city. The city uses a block pruning cycle to prune trees. The block pruning cycle allows staff to maintain safe clearances above roads and sidewalks and develop proper branch structure and strong central leaders. The block pruning cycle is an efficient system of tree maintenance. Construction Management The Forestry Department works with other agencies to prevent construction damage to city trees during all construction activities, including the installation and repair of utility services. The Forestry Supervisor reviews both public and private construction plans, advises alternatives to reduce tree damage, inspects works in progress and cost recovery for damages to city assets.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. I would like my boulevard tree pruned. Who do I contact? The Forestry Department provides care for all the trees on city owned property. This includes tree removal of dead and hazardous trees, removal of hazardous limbs and the trimming for traffic and pedestrian hazards and clearances. Please contact Vaughan Forestry at 905-832-8577. 2. I would like a tree planted in front of my house? Who do I contact? The City of Vaughan’s Forestry Department is responsible for street tree planting in established neighbourhoods, industrial areas, parks, road reconstruction and beautification projects. The department annually plants between 1000-1500 trees. Trees are planted, to provide beauty, help to improve the air quality and add economic value to your neighbourhood. The City contracts out the supply and installation of trees. The Forestry Supervisor visits the tree nursery and selects and marks all trees. Prior to planting, the Forestry Supervisor identifies and marks all tree locations. The following is a list of criteria used in selecting location and tree species:
Should you like a tree planted in the public boulevard, please contact the Forestry Department at 905-832-8577. 3. Why should I not top trees? Topping is the senseless practice of removing a majority of a trees branches and is not an acceptable arboricultural practice. Important facts to remember about topping:
CORRECT PRUNING IS THE BEST THING THAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOU TREE! It is illegal to top public trees. If you would like your City tree pruned, please contact the Forestry Department at 905-832-8577 4. Why does PowerStream trim trees? Trees that grow into electrical lines are the leading cause of power outages Trees add significant beauty and value to our communities but they can also pose hazards to property. This is why you see PowerStream staff trimming trees on your streets and in your neighbourhoods. When staff evaluate trees for trimming, the utility’s primary objective, is to prevent outages, as well as to maintain the aesthetic integrity of the trees. Sometimes it is necessary for staff to trim trees severely to maintain adequate clearances around its wires. The PowerStream staff sometimes removes large branches to train future growth of the tree away from the wires. If this cannot be achieved, the City’s Forestry Representative will assess the tree and may opt to remove the tree rather than create an eyesore. The tree will be replaced during the regular planting season with recommended trees for under power lines. PowerStream staff follows established city and industry pruning standards. Should you any questions or require further information, please contact the Forestry Department at 905-832-8577. For the hydro pruning schedule, please contact PowerStream at 905-417-6900 5. The tree roots are damaging my sewer pipe. Who is responsible? In the City of Vaughan, each property owner is responsible for the entire sewer pipe up, to the property line. Tree roots are often blamed for blocking sewer pipes; however, tree roots only penetrate sewer pipes that were previously damaged by other factors such as poor construction, aging and soil settlement. When the small exploratory roots come into contact with cracked or leaking pipe, they are stimulated to grow vigorously often into the damaged pipe. The combination of roots and solid wastes will usually develop into a partial or complete blockage of the sewer line.
TREE ROOTS AND SEWERS ROOT FACTS: Most roots grow horizontally and upward through soil. Most roots are in the top foot of soil, few are deeper then 1metre (3ft.). Many roots extend radially far beyond the tips of the branches. Roots grow best in the upper layers of the soil because the available water and nutrients are concentrated in these layers. Roots will not grow where moisture and oxygen are available. Tree surface area of the root system is larger than that of the leaves and branches. 6. Does the City have a memorial tree program? The City of Vaughan has a Tree Dedication program that provides an opportunity for trees to be planted in neighbourhood parks to commemorate a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasions. Please contact the Forestry Department at 905-832-8577 to obtain a Tree Dedication brochure. 7. Does the City supply mulch? Wood chip mulch can be obtained from the Forestry Department by calling 905-832-8577. Residents can obtain mulch in the spring and fall, for a minimal fee. Residents should bring sturdy bags, blue boxes, garbage cans or other containers. In special situations, the City can deliver large loads of mulch directly to your property, a minimum one (1) yard minimum. Remember to cover your load of using a pickup truck or trailer. City staff is available to assist in bagging and loading mulch. 8. What to do with tree surface roots? The surface roots of a tree can make cutting or growing grass extremely difficult and frustrating The roots of the tree, provides mechanical support as well as nutrients and water uptake for the trees. Many species will naturally develop surface roots; others develop surface roots because of soil compaction and improper watering. Roots naturally grow in the top 10-20 cm of the soil. They also extend beyond the crown edge. The City if Vaughan’s Forestry Department does not remove surface roots on city street trees. Cutting roots is not recommended because cut roots, creates an entry way for harmful insects and diseases. Burying roots disrupts natural root functions and is a temporary solution. The trees roots will resurface. Solutions: Mulching Apply a 10cm(4") layer of mulch over the surface root. This will benefit the tree by creating a better growing environment, keep weeds suppressed and keeps lawn mowers and string trimmers away. TIPS:
9. Private Tree Failure on Public Property. Who is responsible? If a private tree falls into a street, only that portion of the tree that is on public property will be removed. The remainder of the tree is the responsibility of the property owner. 10. Who do I contact for trees on York Region roads? York Region Forestry is responsible for the maintenance of trees on all regional roads, example: Hwy #7 & 27, Centre Street, Yonge Street, Dufferin Street, Keele Street, Rutherford Road, Major Mackenzie Drive. For all enquiries, please contact York Region Forestry at 905-764-6346. 11. I live in a new subdivision, my street tree is dead. Who do I contact to have it replaced? The planting of all street and buffer trees in new subdivision is the responsibility of the Developer/Builder. Please contact your builder/developer directly for replacement of dead street trees, new tree planting and refunds. The City of Vaughan does plant trees in new subdivisions. Once the subdivision is assumed by the City, all tree maintenance and replacement plantings is the City’s responsibility. 12. Who is responsible for trees encroaching street lights? The City of Vaughan Forestry Department is responsible for clearing all vegetation from streetlights. When a City tree encroaches a streetlight, the Forestry Inspector will assess the tree and determine the best method of pruning that clears the light but does not affect the health of the tree. In some cases, the tree may be removed to achieve adequate light levels. All efforts are made to protect the trees. Should you have a streetlight/tree conflict, please contact the Forestry Department at 905-832-8577. EDUCATIONAL TREE PLANTING How to Plant Your New Tree 1. Select the right tree for the right place. Proper tree planting begins with planning. 2. Prepare a planting area as deep as the rootball and 2-5 times wider than the rootball diameter by loosening the soil. Dig a hole in the middle of the area and set the rootball even with the ground level. 3. The bottom of the rootball should rest on solid undisturbed soil. This prevents settling. 4. Make sure the sides of the hole are rough and uneven. 5. Place the tree in the hole. If the tree is in a container, remove
the container. Place the rootball in the centre of the hole and
adjust the tree so it s straight and at the proper level. 6. Now is the time to make any adjustment. 7. Backfill with the original soil. Tamp gently with your foot to firm up the soil. Apply clean water to settle the soil and remove air pockets. Repeat this process until the hole is filled and the soil is firm and can support the tree upright. DO NOT MIX FERTILIZER, COMPOST OR OTHER MATERIALS WITH THE ORIGINAL SOIL. 8. Construct a small dam or berm three feet in diameter around the tree. The dam will hold water rather running off. 9. Cover the entire loosened area of soil with 10cm (4") of mulch. The mulch will reduce competition from weeds and grasses, moderate soil temperature and provide nutrients as the mulch decomposes. Tree Care of Your Newly Planted Tree Monitor your tree for insect and disease problems, dead or broken limbs. Regular watering is important. New trees need about 5-10gallons of water per week for about two years if the rainfall is low. Do not drown trees by over watering. Do not apply fertilizer at time of planting. Sprinkle a balance fertilizer over the planting area the following spring. Too much fertilizer will injure the tree. Always follow the manufacturers directions or contact a local Arborist for proper diagnosis. Keep a good mulch layer within the planting area. Keep the mulch away from the base of the trunk. Prune only dead, damaged, diseased or crossed or rubbing branches Never prune tree near power lines. Contact a local Arborist for this service. MULCHING Mulch serves a dual purpose of retaining moisture in the soil and providing extra nutrients for the plants as the mulch decomposes. Mulching helps young plants get established. Mulching helps keep roots cool and moist in the summer and insulated in the winter. Mulch suppresses weeds and competing grasses. Mulching provides an important barrier against lawnmowers and string trimmers. The larger the area mulched, the better for the tree. Apply a 10cm (4") layer of organic mulch such as back mulch or wood chips, around the trees and shrubs. Do not pile mulch around the base of the tree. Over mulching trees can lead to rot around the base of the trunk. Keep mulch 5cm (2") away from the trunk. Lawn clippings or leaves are poor mulch materials because they compress and mat together restricting air and water movement. By following these mulching steps, you will be able to provide your tree the benefits of mulching but avoid the hazards of over mulching. BENEFITS OF THE URBAN FOREST The urban forests are the lungs, air conditioners and natural filters of our city. It is important to recognize the trees within the city boundaries that play a key role in our social, economic and environmental surroundings. The urban forest adds natural beauty to our urban surroundings and merges the habitat where people, plants, birds and animals live. One acre of the forest absorbs 10 tones of carbon dioxide per year which translates into less carbon dioxide build-up in the atmosphere. People living in constant views of trees, parks, woodlands enjoy better health. The quality of the Urban Forest is a major factor in establishing the quality of our community life. BENEFITS OF TREES
WINTER PREPARTION OF EVERGREENS Preparing Your Conifer Tree Winter is a difficult time for trees. Food reserves must be conserved for the needs of spring. Strong winds during winter draw moisture from the needles as a result some needles turn brown and die. It is important to water evergreens well before winter because evergreens lose moisture from their needles in the winter. Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the winter and are less susceptible to drying out. All trees should be well watered in the fall as a routine practice. In September, evergreens should be soaked once. This will assist in the hardening-off of trees in preparation for winter. Give the trees a soaking in late October, before the ground freezes. Spread a thin layer of mulch to blanket the soil. To protect low growing conifers, construct a burlap windbreak. This will trap snow, which provides excellent protection. HINTS FOR HEALTHY TREES Do water your trees every week during the summer. The best method of watering is to use a soaker hose. Do take care not to hit tree trunks with lawnmowers and string trimmers. Tree wounds provide entry points for harmful pests and diseases. Do handle lawn fertilizers with care. Don’t drive nails into trees or attach wire to trees. Don’t allow vehicles or machines to be parked on the soil around tree. Soil compaction decreases the oxygen and water available to roots. Don’t contaminate tree soil with de-icing salt. Salt can harm trees. How to Care For Your Tree The trees planted on your street were carefully chosen and planted to provide shade, windbreaks, and privacy, attract wildlife and to beautify your neighbourhood. In an effort to keep the trees healthy, the City’s Forestry experts ask you to help maintain your new tree by following these tips:
Please report any problems (ie.Vandalism, insect, disease) to the Forestry Department at 905-832-8577.
|
|
 |
| local forecast |  |
Copyright ©
City Of Vaughan. All Rights Reserved
site maintained by City of Vaughan