Tree Management and Trimming
Tree Management
The City of Sarnia’s forestry department is responsible for maintaining and caring for city owned trees and park trees. City trees are trimmed for public safety, to maintain adequate clearances over city roads, sidewalks, traffic signage and street lights. Trimming may also be done to remove branches that could cause injury or property damage and to promote healthy tree growth.
All brush is chipped and re-cycled into mulch for boulevard and park trees, as well is used under play equipment in some city parks.
Inspection Assessments/Hazardous Trees
Whenever a tree or part of a tree poses a threat to people or property, they are classified as hazardous trees and receive priority one attention.
Our inspector’s are responsible for inspection and assessment of trees annually, therefore ensuring a safe urban forest.
All forestry work is inspected and prioritized in the following manner:
Priority 1
-Immediate danger to life or property e.g.: dead tree in poor condition, serious traffic hazard, broken limbs, and fallen trees.
Priority 2
-Hindrance or nuisance to traffic or right of way clearance, but no immediate danger to public safety. E.g.: dead trees that are still solid, trimming of solid deadwood, low limbs and minor traffic hazards.
Priority 3
-Routine maintenance that does not present a hazard E.g.: minor tree rimming and low branches, aesthetic pruning, trunk/stump removal.
Our inspectors look for the following when checking hazardous tree:
- Large dead branches in the tree
- Hanging branches
- Rotten wood or cavities in the trunk main branches
- Cracks, splits in the wood that could lead to failure
- Root problems that could affect the structural stability of the tree.
NOTE: Storm damage resulting in fallen trees will be dealt with within 24 hours or less.
If you have concern about a city owned tree, please call 519-332-0330 ext. 3209, or TTY: 519-332-2664.
In emergency situations after hours please contact the Sarnia Police Department at 519 344 8861 and they will direct the call to our emergency call person.
