Tree Ownership & Responsibilities

If the tree is located on your property, it is your responsibility to maintain the tree, which may include watering, fertilizing, pruning, etc.  Trees provide many benefits, and the City’s goal is to preserve and grow the City’s urban canopy to 40% and you directly help by planting and maintaining trees on your property.

• If a tree is dead, has broken branches or if you believe there is an imminent safety issue, call Property Standards at 905-546-2424 ext. 2782.

• Neighbour disputes regarding maintenance of a private tree are considered a civil matter and the City does not get involved.

Rules that Apply to Private Trees

Privately owned trees located in Ancaster, Dundas and Stoney Creek (add link to bylaw, similar to other two) do have by-laws that govern privately owned trees, as do woodlots (add link to bylaws), and you may need a permit before conducting any work that may affect a privately owned trees within these areas. 

• If you live in the former City of Hamilton, there are currently no private tree by-laws that apply to privately owned trees, and you are responsible for maintaining your tree.
• If you’re still not sure whether you need a permit for your private tree, contact [email protected] or call 905-546-2782, Monday to Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.

Hiring a Tree Service Company

If you are hiring a Tree Service Company to do any pruning, removal, or investigative work on your private tree, they must have a valid Tree Cutting Service License issued by the City of Hamilton. View a list of current licensed street contactors on Open Hamilton

Disposing of Tree Trunks, Branches or Wood

You have three options for disposing of wood from private trees:

1. Leave out as yard waste for curbside collection.

2. Drop off for free at a Community Recycling Centre.

3. Contact a private company if you have large branches that exceed acceptable dimensions for yard waste pick up.

If the tree is located on City-owned property, it is the City’s responsibility to maintain the tree. The City of Hamilton maintains over 120,000 City-owned trees located in parks, open spaces, and cemeteries and over 179,928 City-owned Street trees located within the road allowance.

City Tree Pruning Program

City trees within the urban area are pruned on a 7-year maintenance cycle to maintain clearances over sidewalks, roads, etc., and keep the tree in good health.

If your City-owned tree is in a rural area of the City, pruning is done by request. Please contact 905-546-2489 if your tree needs pruning.

City Tree Removals

The City’s priority is to maintain and grow the urban forest canopy to achieve its target of 40%, and City trees will only be removed if they are dead, diseased, or considered dangerous by industry standard.

City trees will only be removed when deemed appropriate by the City, and the City is responsible for removing the tree and grinding down the stump. Removals are scheduled based on priority and once the City tree is cut down, the stump will be schedule for removal shortly thereafter.

The following are not considered valid reasons for tree removal requests:

• tree is messy because of fruit or seeds production
• leaves clogging eves troughs
• homeowner does not want to rake leaves

A replacement tree will be scheduled for installation after the removal and if deemed appropriate by the City. A Forestry Investigator will select the appropriate specie(s) and location(s).

Reporting a City-Owned Tree

To report an issue with a City tree call 905-546-2489. Problems to report include:

• a tree growing so big that is it damaging property
• a tree that is damaged or has fallen down, or has limbs falling down
• a tree that appears dead or diseased
• a tree with a swing hanging from its branches
• a tree with a bee nest or wasp nest
• a tree in a new development that needs trimming, staking or stake removal

Once a report is filed, a Forestry Investigator will visit the site and determine the appropriate action and schedule the maintenance work in priority sequencing. 

The City of Hamilton is not responsible to prune trees back from utility lines and communication lines. For these issues, please contact your utility provider.

Alectra: 1-833-ALECTRA (1-833-253-2872)
Hydro One: 1-888-664-9376
Bell: 1-866-310-2355