Trees & Gardens
Doing Work Near a Tree
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Doing work that may impact a tree located on City property, requires a public tree permit.
Work that may impact a tree includes, but is not limited to, digging near or within the dripline of a tree, pruning a tree, storing equipment or materials near or within the dripline of a tree, altering the ground elevation near or within the dripline of a tree, etc.
All these works require a public tree permit. Please be aware that receiving a permit, such as a driveway permit, through another City group does not grant you permission to remove or damage a public tree; you need a public tree permit. Our goal is to protect and preserve public trees for the benefit of all residents.
Illustration of tree crown, dripline and root zone.
Many people do not realize that plants have a dollar value that the City measures to determine compensation to the City if a City tree is removed, even if a permit is received. One tree can be worth over $10,000.00 in value. The following are considerations that go into appraising a tree:
Tree size
Sometimes the size and age of a tree are such that it cannot be replaced. Trees that are too large to be replaced must be assessed by professionals who use a specialized appraisal formula.
Species of Tree
Trees that are hardy, durable, highly adaptable and free from objectionable characteristics such as pods or nuts which add to the debris are most valuable.
Condition and Location of the Tree
A well-cared-for tree with healthy roots, trunk, branches and buds will have a higher value, and one tree standing alone will often have a higher value than a tree in a group.
Doing Work Near a Tree
Manuals & Documents
The City of Hamilton’s Forestry and Horticulture Section created the Design and Preservation Manual for Assets on Public Property to provide preservation and planting standards for existing and future public tree assets to assist and direct developers, contractors, consultants, and owners. The manual includes tree-related construction details and specifications that must be used for all projects that include existing and / or future public tree assets.
The manual also identifies the City of Hamilton’s preferences related to street tree plantings in urban conditions and mandatory soil volume requirements.
Forestry and Horticulture Design and Preservation Manual for Assets on Public Property
This Manual provides preservation standards and guidelines for tree plantings in soft and hard surface areas and their associated infrastructure within the public right-of-way and in parks and open spaces; garden bed installations within the public right-of-way and in parks and open spaces, and; planters and hanging baskets within the public right-of-way.
Forestry and Horticulture Construction Specifications
Specifications must be used for all projects that include existing and / or future public tree assets. It is the responsibility of the specifier to coordinate these specifications with their project.
Forestry Construction Details
The following construction details must be used for all projects that include existing and / or future public tree assets and includes a hierarchy of conditions for trees planted in hard scape. ***It is the City of Hamilton’s preference that trees in urban conditions are planted in an open planter, surrounded by a curb. The inclusion of soil cells must only be used when necessary to achieve the required soil volumes and an open planter must still be used as the surface condition.*****
Tree Preservation and Sustainability Policy
The policy works in coordination with the City of Hamilton Public Tree By-law 15-125 and outline the permit process.
Approved Right of Way Tree Species List
Review the approved tree species for City right-of-ways.
Doing Work Near a Tree
Permit Request Form
Fill out our online intake form to connect with a city staff person for permit-related inquiries or to start your permit request.
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