Your tree maintenance questions: ANSWERED

Did you know Vaughan is home to more than 130,000 trees in public spaces? Maintaining them is an important part of our city's environmental health and beauty. As our Forestry crews continue their seasonal services, the City of Vaughan is answering your top tree-related questions.

How long after I submit a service request (e.g. tree pruning or stump removal) does it take City staff to visit the tree site?

It depends on the situation. Requests for situations that pose a danger to the public are dealt with as soon as possible. Non-emergency requests that follow our pruning schedule will be addressed accordingly, while all other requests will be managed in priority sequence, following an inspection. Once a service request is created, a Forestry inspector will visit the site within 30 business days to examine the tree's condition and determine next steps. The Forestry inspector will contact you (by phone or leave a notice on your door) with the status of your request. Please note: it can take up to eight months for a tree to be pruned and up to 12 months for a tree stump to be removed.

How often does the City prune trees?

Through a Council-endorsed Tree Maintenance Strategy (PDF), we are transitioning to a cycle where trees are pruned every seven years. This strategy – which includes increased tree inspections – allows us to adopt a more cost-effective approach to tree maintenance. It also prioritizes quality services by managing and improving the urban forest and increasing canopy cover – which is important to the overall health of the Vaughan community and ecosystem. You can learn more about how we are planning for the future of Vaughan’s trees through the Urban Forest Management Plan. 

How are trees pruned?

Our Forestry crews prune trees according to species, age, and, in some cases, location. Together, these factors determine the type of pruning method to use:

• Crown cleaning is the removal of dead, dying, diseased, crowded, weakly attached or unhealthy branches from the crown – or top – of a tree.
• Crown clearance is the selective removal of tree branches to provide clearance for buildings, cars, people, streetlights, traffic signals, roads, regulatory signage and sight lines.
• Crown complete is the holistic pruning of a tree that includes cleaning and clearance.
• Crown establishment is the selective pruning of the crown of newly planted trees to promote an esthetically and structurally sound branch system.
• Crown reduction lessens the size of a tree to make room for utility lines.
• Crown restoration removes damaged branches to restore a stable form to the tree. This method is often necessary following storm damage.
• Crown thinning is the selective removal of branches to increase light and air movement through the crown. Thinning opens the leaves of a tree, reduces weight on heavy branches, reduces water intake and helps retain the tree's natural shape.

Why does the City prune trees?

There are many benefits to pruning trees, including but not limited to:

• promoting good tree health.
• preventing insects and disease.
• removing potential safety hazards.
• making vehicle and pedestrian clearances.
• reducing storm damage from high winds, snow and freezing rain.
• accommodating streetlights, buildings and utilities.

Why do trees look different after pruning?

After pruning, a tree might look bare, but don’t worry! It will start to look normal during the next growing season, with a healthier and more attractive form.

How do I report a fallen branch or tree that poses a risk to the public?

To report a municipal emergency or problem that requires immediate attention, call Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281. The following are considered municipal emergency requests:

• Fallen tree
• Hanging broken branch
• Leaning/uprooted tree
• Split/cracked tree

To learn more about our Forestry Operations, visit vaughan.ca/trees.

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