The city’s Urban Forestry Unit is responsible for the care and maintenance of all trees located on City property which includes that maple tree on your front boulevard. Forestry staff is responsible for all tree maintenance works, tree/stump removal and tree replacement, insect and disease concerns, community tree plantings and enforcing the Private Tree By-law.
If your boulevard tree does not come to life this spring or should you notice blight or bugs later in the season, contact the City call centre 3-1-1 to report a Forestry issue or concern. An inspection is completed by Forestry staff and if work is required a work order is generated with operational staff completing the work. This work is reactive in nature based on residents requesting work. This means that the resident has to report an issue requiring service or hope that in the process of completing another request, the Forestry staff notices other trees that need maintenance.
The forestry staff also generate work orders to prune all City owned trees located on individual streets to elevate lower branches ensuring adequate clearance over the sidewalk and road ways. This work is known as “Block pruning” and is sometimes this is completed by retained contractors. This work is proactive in nature with staff identifying works that are required to be completed.
In 2011 throughout the RHA geographical area the following works were completed:
• 28 street/park trees were removed.
• 0 street/park trees were pruned.
• Eight trees were fertilized.
• Seven streets were included in our “Block Pruning program” with approximately 450 trees pruned.
• Eight community tree planting events were held allowing for approximately 800 potted trees and shrubs to be planted in parks and natural areas.
In 2012 Urban Forestry is committed to delivering similar tree works and programs to the Rockwood Homeowners Association area of Mississauga. Staff will also be involved in two major City wide projects: Emerald Ash Borer Mitigation and Management and the review of the current Private Tree By-law.
If you would like to request an inspection of a City tree for works to be completed, to have a new street tree planted or to volunteer in one of our community tree planting events please call 3-1-1 (or 905.615.4311 if calling outside City of Mississauga limits)
*Please note this article was originally published in the Spring 2012 edition of The Rockwood Times.