Learn about our approach to tree planting and maintenance. We’ve outlined our service levels for tree maintenance and removals below.

Open our urban forest map

On this page:

  1. About tree planting and maintenance
  2. Trees on public property
  3. Trees on private property
  4. Chandler Mowat tree canopy pilot

About tree planting and maintenance

Kitchener’s urban forest covers about 27% of our land base. It includes all trees growing on public and private lands, including trees in the downtown, old and new neighbourhoods, commercial and institutional lands, city parks, and natural areas. It is a dominant part of our green infrastructure, providing valuable ecological and hydrological functions and processes to the community.

Our Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy provides a vision, goal and five branches for a sustainable urban forest. It is important to conserve and manage our existing urban forest on public and private lands to achieve our tree canopy target of 30% for each ward by 2050 and 33% city-wide by 2070.

Learn about our tree planting and maintenance approach using our urban forest map. On this map, you can see upcoming:

  • tree planting
  • tree removals
  • stump removals
  • street tree pruning schedule
  • potential tree planting points

Trees on public property

Find information about trees on public property:

City-owned trees

Trees located within road rights-of-way, boulevards and parks are city-owned and, therefore, are public trees. Caring for and removing those trees is our responsibility. Damaging or removing these trees can result in criminal charges.

If you’re unsure if a tree is ours, call us at 519-741-2345 or send us an email.

Tree maintenance and service levels

Tree maintenance of city-owned trees is taking place year-round. With over 72,000 trees, our teams are working to maintain our tree canopy and meet service levels.

Open the accordions below to learn about our service levels for different types of public tree maintenance.

Tree maintenance
Arborists are working year-round to maintain and prune our trees. We are working to establish a proactive block pruning program where we can prune each street every seven to 10 years. During street tree pruning work, we may need to do emergency tree removals for public safety reasons. In these cases, we cannot provide advanced notice to nearby residents.
Tree removals
If we need to remove a tree because it is a risk or hazard to the public, we will remove it as soon as possible. We will try to contact the neighbouring property owner to make them aware. In some cases where trees are larger, we will remove the branches, or crown, of the tree first, and the stem stays standing until we can remove it later with other specialized equipment.
Stump removals
After we remove a tree, the next step is to remove the stump. This typically occurs the year after tree removal or, in some cases, within the same year.
Tree planting
If the area where the stump is removed can fit a new tree, we will plant a replacement tree. Our goal is to plant the replacement tree within two years of removing the original tree, but this timeline can vary. Our team will select the replacement species of tree based on various factors and considerations. In some cases, we may be unable to replant in the same boulevard location due to site factors like utility lines or limited space.

Structural pruning

Tree maintenance includes more than clearing sight lines and dead branches. Our forestry staff do structural pruning on city trees to help them grow into healthy, mature trees. Structural pruning helps increase tree health, longevity and resiliency to climate change.

In forests, trees develop a strong branch structure because they grow near each other. The shade created by other trees limits the growth of lower limbs. In the city, where there are a lot of single trees, the amount of sunlight lets them grow competing branches. This type of tree structure is vulnerable to breakage and can reduce the tree’s life expectancy. Trees with one dominant stem and well-spaced branches are more likely to thrive for a long time.

After we do structural pruning, the trees will have fewer branches and look less full. This is a part of the process and is not a cause for concern. Pruning happens over years and helps develop a strong, resilient branch structure.

Request a tree on public property

Do you want to add a tree to your neighbourhood or on the boulevard in front of your home? Submit your request through our online form or call 519-741-2345. If we can plant a tree in your preferred location, we’ll let you know and add the tree to an upcoming tree planting season.

Request a tree

Tree safety issues

If you have a concern or question about a city tree, please call us at 519-741-2345 or send us an email. We want to know about tree risk issues, including dead or dangerous-looking trees or other safety issues.

Trees on private property

Find information about trees on private property:

Backyard tree planting program

Do you want to add a new tree to your backyard? We're working with Reep Green Solutions to plant trees in backyards at a reduced price.

The backyard tree planting program includes:

  • personalized property consultation
  • one or two native trees
  • delivery and full planting service
  • care and maintenance guide

Learn more and apply on Reep's website.

Property standards

We do not get involved in disputes between neighbours about overhanging branches or tree maintenance. For information about the relevant property standards, visit our property standards page.

Chandler Mowat tree canopy pilot

In 2024, we're working with Reep Green Solutions on a pilot project to increase the tree canopy in the Chandler Mowat neighbourhood. This neighbourhood has low canopy coverage when compared to Kitchener’s average. The project will support over 100 new trees planted on private and public property, and maintain existing trees across the neighbourhood. It is funded by the Green Communities Canada (GCC)’s Living Cities Fund.

Visit our Engage Kitchener page to learn more.