Care and Maintenance of Street Trees
The Town of Milton plants new street trees for the health and well-being of our environment. Large street trees provide cleaner air, cooler building temperatures and beautify our neighbourhood.
If you have recently received a new street tree or have planted a tree on your own property, please follow these simple steps to ensure the tree remains healthy for years to come:
Watering Trees
- During periods with little or no rain, and when no watering ban is in effect, water your tree twice a week; when the weather is cooler, such as in the spring or the fall, water less frequently.
- Be careful not to over water your tree as this may cause the leaves to turn yellow and fall off.
- When watering your tree, provide the equivalent of about 2.5 cm (one inch) of water. Set up a garden hose to trickle water at the base of your tree for about 30 minutes or use a watering can to apply approximately
25 - 30 litres (6 - 8 gallons) of water.
Soil and Mulch Around Your Tree
- Do not add soil around the trunk as this may cause decay of the trunk and possibly cause the tree to die.
- An organic mulch of shredded bark or wood chips is beneficial for your tree to retain soil moisture, moderate soil temperatures and reduce competition from grass and weeds. When mulching your tree, provide a layer of 5 - 10 cm (2 - 4 inches) of mulch over the root area.
Tree Stakes
Tree stakes are only required to support your tree for two full growing seasons. If tree stakes in you boulevard need to be removed, please contact us as noted on this page.
Trouble With Your Street Tree?
The development stage of your subdivision will determine whether your developer or the Town of Milton is responsible for your street tree. Contact us as noted on this page and we will forward the call to the appropriate person:
-
If you live in an established area of Town or your subdivision has been assumed by the Town, report your concern to the Engineering Services Department, as shown on the left side of this page, so they can track tree issues in your neighbourhood. (Assumption is a term used to describe the process of the Town taking over responsibility for all municipal works in a new development, including street tree works.)
-
If you live in a newer area which has not yet been assumed by the Town, contact Community Services, as shown on the left side of this page, and they will contact the developer on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. I did not receive a street tree but my neighbours have received one. Was my house missed?
Trees are typically designed to be placed every 12 metres within the right-of-way. (The right-of-way defines the limits of the public roadway next to your home, which includes the sidewalks, roads, and often street trees.)
You may not have received a tree because of a site or utility conflict, such as a setback from driveways, street light or cable box, which prohibits planting of a tree. (A setback is the required minimum spacing between objects to ensure visual safety, proper access to utilities, and/or to limit disturbance to trees.) Some of these utilities, such as sanitary connections, are underground and not visible.
Your subdivision developer may have itemized a street tree in the Purchase and Sale Agreement of your home; however, the payment goes toward the streetscape of the subdivision as a whole. Payment of this money does not mean that your home or lot will necessarily have a street tree in the boulevard.
2. My street tree is dead/appears stressed. Who do I call?
The development stage of your subdivision will determine whether your developer or the Town of Milton is responsible for your street tree. Contact the appropriate department, as indicated below:
- If you live in an established area of Town or your subdivision has been assumed by the Town, report your concern to the Engineering Services Department so they can track tree issues in your neighbourhood.
- If you live in a newer area which has not yet been assumed by the Town, contact Community Services Department and they will contact the developer on your behalf.
3. I called last year about my street tree and it still hasn't been replaced. Who do I contact to determine the status?
The development stage of your subdivision will determine whether your developer or the Town of Milton is responsible for your street tree. Contact the appropriate department, as indicated below:
- If you live in an established area of Town or your subdivision has been assumed by the Town, contact the Engineering Services Department . They will confirm that your request was added to a list for tree replacements; staff will consider planting a tree if there is an approved budget for street tree replacements. Your name will remain on the list in priority sequence, with replacement dependent on the approval of tree replacement funding for the following year.
- If you live in a newer area which has not yet been assumed by the Town, contact the Community Services Department . They will verify that your request has been forwarded to your developer; the Town does not coordinate developer planting schedules. If a tree replacement is warranted, it will be completed prior to the Town granting assumption of your subdivision from the developer.
4. I would like to add soil, mulch and/or a garden bed around my street tree. Can I do this?
Please do not add soil around the trunk as raising the level of soil over the tree's roots may decay the base of the trunk. Decay in the trunk may allow invasive insects to enter the tree, as well as limit the tree's ability to take up water; however, an organic mulch of shredded bark or wood chips is beneficial for your tree to retain soil moisture, moderate soil temperatures, and reduce competition from grass and weeds. When mulching your tree, provide a layer of 5 - 10 cm (2 - 4 inches) of mulch over the root area.
