Proposed Tree Management Policy

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Consultation has concluded

The Town's urban tree canopy is a source of civic pride and a major component of Pelham's environmental health and future sustainability. Not surprisingly, the care and maintenance of municipal trees are a priority throughout the municipality.

The existing policy S802-01 states that the Town of Pelham provides the community with safe and healthy trees on municipal property maintained and inspected regularly. However, it does not provide specific guidance for staff or direction regarding its application previously found within the Tree Planting, Maintenance and Replacement Guideline approved in 2000.

The 2000 Tree Planting, Maintenance and Replacement Guideline provides several labour

The Town's urban tree canopy is a source of civic pride and a major component of Pelham's environmental health and future sustainability. Not surprisingly, the care and maintenance of municipal trees are a priority throughout the municipality.

The existing policy S802-01 states that the Town of Pelham provides the community with safe and healthy trees on municipal property maintained and inspected regularly. However, it does not provide specific guidance for staff or direction regarding its application previously found within the Tree Planting, Maintenance and Replacement Guideline approved in 2000.

The 2000 Tree Planting, Maintenance and Replacement Guideline provides several labour and financial challenges to the department. The prescribed inventory development has not been completed, and the five-year inspection cycle is not feasible with the current staff complement. The proposed revision of Policy S802-01 is meant to provide an integrated set of objectives and procedures to form a comprehensive guide for the management of publically owned trees in a fiscally responsible manner. The proposed seven-year inspection and pruning cycle will require one additional seasonal staff member.

Please review the Town's proposed Tree Policy on the right-hand side of the page under the documents tab.

Consultation has concluded

  • Background

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    In 2000, a local residents’ group formed the Pelham Tree Conservation Society and compiled a series of procedures to follow with respect to the management of trees located on municipally-owned properties such as road allowances, parks and cemeteries. Through Municipal Operations Report MOR-33/00, the General Committee/Operations Division recommended a number of amendments to the proposed procedures and that Council adopt the revised Tree Planting, Maintenance and Replacement Guideline.


    In 2015, the Committee of the Whole requested that staff investigate the creation of a policy to explore the means to provide the community with safe and healthy municipal trees that are planted in newly developed areas, maintained and inspected regularly, and removed and replaced as required through Action #20150908005. In 2016, Action Report #20151013003 Public Works Policy S802-01 for Tree Management was presented to the Policy and Priorities Committee and was later adopted by Council.


    As the result of a series of complaints regarding tree maintenance and tree removal in the urban portion of Fonthill during 2020, Council added “Tree Maintenance Policy” as a strategic action item in the Town’s strategic plan. This report is written in satisfaction of the directive to bring back options and potentially updated tree policy to Council. Staff look forward to receiving direction on the next steps.