Trees

Trees are an important part of our environment in the Town of Shelburne. Street trees are planted for the health and well-being of our community as they provide cleaner air, shade and reduces carbon dioxide. Trees add beauty to town streets, neighbourhoods and parks enhancing property values.

Tree species and locations are approved by the Town either through a municipal approved planting plan, by a developer for a new development or by trained Town staff. The Town encourages a diversity of trees on our streets and in our community. You will see a beautiful variety of tree species in Town; Ash, Autumn Fantasy, Basswood, Beech, Eastern Hemlock, Eastern White Cedar, Easter White Pine, Elm (Homestead and Patriot), Hackberry, Honey Locust (shade master or skyline), Ivory Silk Lilac, Jack Pine, Linden (Glenleven, Greenspire), Maple (Autumn Blaze Maple, Freemani, Silver, Sugar and Red Maple), Oak (Bur, Pin, Red, White), Pear (Aristocrat and Ornimental), Service Berry, Tamarack and Zelkova.

Tree maintenance

The Town of Shelburne provides a range of services related to Town trees, including planting, pruning and removal of street trees, and trees in parks and open spaces. Street trees are planted on Town property (Road Allowance), between the curb and the property line. Preservation and protection of trees are an important consideration in our municipal operations.

If you are concerned with the health of a street or park tree near your property you can report your concern or contact Development & Operations by email, or phone at 519-925-2600 x 261.

Authority for inspection, removal, trimming of trees upon Town owned land or road allowances is authorized through the Municipal Act, 2001 Section 62.

Pruning

Town Trees are pruned by Town Staff on an ongoing basis. Trees deemed as a "hazard" are pruned or removed immediately. Tree trimming and maintenance will only be conducted by Town staff. A tree branch obstructing visibility of intersections or roads signs or shading a portion of the road causing ice to form will be removed for safety reasons. Branches obstructing or interfering with pedestrian traffic or maintenance equipment will be removed.

Due to the Town's extensive tree inventory, we encourage residents to contact our office with reports of problem trees, or trees that requiring pruning. Our staff will respond to any problem associated with a municipal tree.

You can contact Town staff regarding your tree concern or with questions by reporting your concern, or contact Development & Operations staff by email, or phone at 519-925-2600 x 261.

Tree care tips

There are a few things you can do to care for trees on your property. In order for a tree to flourish, it needs more watering during long periods of dry weather. This is especially important for young trees. Young trees require more water and care when first planted to ensure that they grow and thrive in the first years after being planted.

Watering

Trees require regular water. Follow the below watering tips to ensure your tree gets enough water:

Water your tree twice per week during periods with little or no rain (follow the Towns watering by-law in the summer months)
Water your tree less frequently when the weather is cooler
Identify your tree and research how much water it needs

If the leaves on a tree begin to turn yellow, this may be an indication of too much water.

Soil and mulch

Avoid adding too much mulch (or any soil) to the base of your trees. This can cause the trunk to decay and possibly cause the tree to die. When adding mulch, you should:

Use an organic mulch of shredded bark or wood chips to retain soil moisture, moderate soil temperatures and reduce competition from grass and weeds
Add a layer of 5-10 cm of mulch over the entire root area but keep the root collar area generally clear (area directly adjacent to the tree) with a very thin layer of mulch
Avoid creating a “volcano” of mulch (or soil) at the base of the tree or adding stones, pavers or bricks around the tree. These activities will lead to tree stress and potentially kill the tree if left in such a condition.

Tree stakes

Tree stakes are only required to support your tree for two full growing seasons. Remove stakes after this point to let the tree continue to grow. We will remove tree stakes from trees on Town property. If a street tree needs a stake to be removed you can report your concern or contact Development & Operations staff by email, or phone at 519-925-2600 x 261.

Tree removal

Town staff will try to save trees through pruning and maintenance before the consideration of removal. If a resident thinks a street tree located on Town property should be removed, a request must be submitted. An inspection will be carried out by Town staff. All debris caused by the removal of the tree will be removed and site will be cleaned. Street trees that are removed will be placed on a replacement list for future replacement. Trees will be replaced during the annual tree planting contract in the spring and/or fall, as budgets permits.

If a street tree needs to be removed because it is dead or appears stressed, you can report your concern or contact Development & Operations staff by email, or phone at 519-925-2600 x 261.

Tree stumps

The Town will remove tree stumps if any portion of the stump in located on the town property and if:

Stump is interfering with Public Utility or sidewalk.
The tree was removed by the Town.
If stump is partially located on private property, the Town will bear full cost of removal but will have adjacent property owner sign a consent form to authorize removal.

Tree Replacements

Tree replacements will be selected from a list of species (provided by a local nursery) that suit the site conditions. Replacement trees will be planted in the same location as they were initially removed from. The type of tree and location will be determined by the Town to ensure that the tree will not interfere with underground utilities, sidewalks, present and future sight lines, and snow removal.

The responsibility for maintenance and care of the new tree will be the responsibility of the homeowner. A care guide will be provided to the homeowner from the contractor or nursery as to the care in the first few years of planting. A tree agreement will be signed by the homeowner upon planting a new tree.

Trees will be planted during the annual tree planting contract in the spring and/or fall, as budgets permit

Trees on private property

Before pruning or removing a tree, you need to ensure the tree is entirely on your property. If the tree is entirely on your property and removal is necessary, we recommend that you consult a arborist before removal.

Pruning trees on a neighbouring property affects private property rights and is a civil matter between both property owners. The Town of Shelburne recommends you discuss your concerns with your neighbour and reach an agreement.

It is important to remember when pruning or trimming branches that:

You cannot trespass onto your neighbour’s property
You cannot damage your neighbour’s property (in this case a tree).

You have the right to maintain your property in a safe condition if the tree in question is dead/dying or has dead branches that could be hazardous, Municipal Law Enforcement Officers can investigate. For more information please see the Property Standards By-law

Report a tree concern

If you are concerned with the health of a street or park tree near your property you can report your concern or contact Development & Operations staff by email, or phone at 519-925-2600 x 261.

Street tree town regulations

The Town follows guidelines under Ontario Regulation 69/09 Section 25, if a street tree is infested with disease or pest. If an unlisted pesticide is required for that treatment, a written opinion will be obtained from a certified Arborist or a person registered under the Professional Foresters Act, 2000. The written opinion must be held on file by the Town for 24 months following the application of an unlisted pesticide. Notification must be provided to all homeowners that abut the subject property at least 24 hours prior to use.

The Town will use different management techniques to address disease and pest population starting with the least harmful to the environment.

Tree diseases, pests and invasive species

The most notable diseases, pests and invasive species to our trees are listed below. If you think you have seen either of these on your street trees you can report your concern or contact Development & Operations by email: jkaske@shelburne.ca, or phone at 519-925-2600 x 261.

Asian long-horned beetle

Asian long-horned beetle (ALHB) is an invasive pest that attacks broadleaf trees, with native Maples being the preferred host.

There have been no sightings of ALHB in Shelburne to date, it is important to be on the lookout for this invasive pest

Learn how to identify the Asian long-horned beetle (ALHB) and what you can do by visiting the Ontario Invading Species website on their Asian long-horned beetle page or read Common Pests of Trees in Ontario from the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Dutch elm disease

Dutch elm disease is caused by a fungus that is killing native elm trees. The disease is spread by both a native elm bark beetle and European bark beetle.

The fungus can also spread by the trees root system to neighbouring trees and by the movement of elm firewood or logs.

Learn how to identify Dutch elm Disease and what you can do by visiting the Ontario Invading Species website on their Dutch elm Disease page or read Common Pests of Trees in Ontario from the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald Ash Borer is a pest that has killed Ash trees in southwestern Ontario. It is prohibited the movement of firewood and any material made from Ash trees outside of designated areas.

The Emerald Ash Borer attacks both healthy and stressed Ash trees it will travel a few kilometers per year on its own; however it can be easily dispersed long distances by people moving infested materials, such as firewood, logs, lumber, and woodchips.

Learn how to identify Emerald Ash Borer and what you can do by visiting the Ontario Invading Species website on their Emerald Ash Borer page or read Common Pests of Trees in Ontario from the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Gypsy moth

Gypsy moth is an insect that has been munching through tree leaves in Southern Ontario in greater numbers than in years previous and has reached outbreak levels and continue to expand their range.

Gypsy moth caterpillars can be found on mostly hardwood tree species, such as:birch, maple, oak, poplar, willow and others. This species is known to infest trees in woodland or suburban areas.

Learn how to identify Gypsy Moth and what you can do by visiting the Ontario Invading Species website on their Gypsy Moth page or read Common Pests of Trees in Ontario from the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Maple bladdergall mite

Maple bladdergall mite
Causes small wart-like growths on the top surface of the leaves of silver and red maple.

Maple spindlegall mite
Causes spindle-shaped growths on the upper surface of the leaves of sugar, silver and red maple.

Crimson erineum mite
Causes red granular patches on either surface of the leaves of sugar, silver, and red maple.

Although the damage caused by Maple Gall Mites may look severe, they actually do not interrupt the functions of mature trees.

Learn how to identify Maple Gall Mites and what you can do by reading the Common Pests of Trees in Ontario from the Ministry of Natural Resources.

For more information please see Common Pests of Trees in Ontario from the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Please be aware, that the responsibility of treating privately owned trees will be the homeowner’s responsibility. Sightings of invasive pests can be reported to:

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Phone numbers: Toll-free: 1-800-667-1940
(Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm except statutory holidays)

Ontario Invading Species
Ontario Invading Species Hotline 1-800-563-7711
Report online

Administrative Office
203 Main Street East
Shelburne, ON L9V 3K7

Email: info@shelburne.ca
Phone: 519-925-2600
Fax: 519 -925-6134