Municipal tree reports, planting requests and removal approval in St. Catharines, Ontario

St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada

Do not trim or remove a tree on St. Catharines city property yourself. Report health or public-safety concerns to Citizens First at 905-688-5600, including low branches over a sidewalk or road.

Key information

Do not trim or remove a tree on St. Catharines city property yourself. Report health or public-safety concerns to Citizens First at 905-688-5600, including low branches over a sidewalk or road.

On this page

If work could injure or remove a city tree at a glance

If work could injure or remove a city tree
  1. Submit the Application to Injure or Remove Trees under the city bylaw

    Submit the Application to Injure or Remove Trees under the city bylaw. Do not start work or hire someone to act without approval.

  2. The city obtains a contractor quote for the proposed work

    The city obtains a contractor quote for the proposed work. Only an approved third-party contractor carries out the permitted activity.

  3. Budget for project-specific charges

    Budget for project-specific charges. They can include pruning, removal, stump work, boulevard restoration and replacement trees. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval.

Sources: Trees and municipal tree service

Choose the municipal tree service

Choose the municipal tree service
NeedRoute
Unhealthy or unsafe city treeCitizens First report
Suggested planting locationGreen Our Streets request
Injure or remove city treeApplication and city approval
Leaves and fruit on propertyOwner collects for Niagara Region yard waste
Questions on boulevard trees or stumps905-688-5600

Sources: Trees and municipal tree service

If work could injure or remove a city tree

  1. Submit the Application to Injure or Remove Trees under the city bylaw. Do not start work or hire someone to act without approval.
  2. The city obtains a contractor quote for the proposed work. Only an approved third-party contractor carries out the permitted activity.
  3. Budget for project-specific charges. They can include pruning, removal, stump work, boulevard restoration and replacement trees. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval.

Sources: Trees and municipal tree service

Planting and ongoing maintenance

Help Us Green Our Streets accepts suggestions for streets, boulevards and city land needing trees. It is a location-suggestion service, not a promise of immediate planting at that spot.

Forestry Services monitors, prunes and removes city trees using specialized arborists and ISA standards. Separate city information addresses root-maintenance issues; do not assume a nearby tree caused a damaged pipe without assessment.

Owners collect leaves and fruit from their yards in yard-waste bags for Niagara Region collection. The city does not perform that private-yard cleanup.

Sources: Trees and municipal tree service

Questions and answers

Can I prune a city tree behind my home?

No. The city prohibits property owners trimming its trees in front of or behind homes.

Source: Trees and municipal tree service

Who receives a low-limb safety report?

Citizens First at 905-688-5600.

Source: Trees and municipal tree service

How do I suggest a new street tree?

Complete the Green Our Streets request form.

Source: Trees and municipal tree service

Does a planting suggestion guarantee planting?

The source invites suggestions; it does not promise each location will be planted.

Source: Trees and municipal tree service

Can a homeowner remove a city tree after applying?

No. Approval is required and only a third-party contractor performs the authorized work.

Source: Trees and municipal tree service

Who sources the work quote?

The city.

Source: Trees and municipal tree service

Is the application the complete project cost?

No. Additional work-related charges may apply.

Source: Trees and municipal tree service

Can charges include replacing the boulevard?

Yes. Boulevard reinstatement and replacement trees are listed possible charges.

Source: Trees and municipal tree service

Does city staff collect fallen fruit from my yard?

No. That cleanup belongs to the resident owner, using regional yard-waste collection.

Source: Trees and municipal tree service

Who performs municipal forestry maintenance?

Specialized tree personnel, called arborists, following ISA standards.

Source: Trees and municipal tree service

Sources: Trees and municipal tree service

Official services and applications