2016 Removal & Replacement of Schubert Chokecherry Trees

Winnipeg has about 7,000 Schubert chokecherry trees in City parks and on City boulevards. Unfortunately, many of them are infected with black knot, a fungal disease affecting species of cherry and plum trees. This disease is distributed across North America and is widespread throughout Winnipeg.  Information about the disease, including photos, is available from Winnipeg’s Urban Foresty Department.

City-Wide – Tree Removal and Replacement

The total cost of removing a Schubert chokecherry and doing a replacement planting is about $1,000. This includes the tree removal, stump grinding, replacement tree (nursery stock approx. 10-12’ tall, machine dug root ball wrapped in burlap and wire basket), tree planting, and two years of maintenance to ensure the tree gets properly established.

In 2015, Winnipeg’s Urban Forestry Department removed and replaced 430 Schubert chokecherry trees on a city-wide basis. In 2016, with additional funding approved by City Council, the goal is to complete 600 Schubert chokecherry removals across Winnipeg and replace those trees where suitable.

South Winnipeg-St. Norbert Ward – Tree Removal and Replacement

In 2016, the streets listed below are planned for Schubert chokecherry removals and replacements in the South Winnipeg-St. Norbert ward:

• BRIXTON BAY                         
• LECHMAN PL              
• TROWBRIDGE BAY                 
• BLACKWATER BAY                 
• BROTMAN BAY                      
• BRUTON PL                
• MALMSBURY AVE                  
• SANDPIPER DR                       
• HIGH LAKE BAY

Tree removals/replacements will begin in May/June, weather permitting.

Schuberts are being replaced with a variety of tree species, depending on site conditions and as determined by the Forestry technician based on the policy of “right tree, right place”.  Species include a variety of elms, lindens, very limited ash, maples, bur oak, Ohio buckeye, alder, hackberry, hawthorn, Amur cherry, rosybloom crabapples, and Japanese tree lilac.

In some locations, Schuberts may be replaced with a shade tree, which means there will be greater spacing between trees due to the larger canopy cover.  Historically, Schuberts were planted by land developers under the City’s tree planting guidelines, but guidelines may have not been followed with respect to spacing and proximity to infrastructure.  In addition, site conditions may have changed since the time of the original planting.

If the City is not able to replant at a site, other more suitable sites that meet current planting specifications will be reviewed. This determination is made by Forestry Technicians when they inspect each site prior to issuing a planting order.

Options for Residents

To report a tree on City property which is infected with black knot, please call 311 or E-Mail 311@winnipeg.ca.  As there is a lengthy list of diseased Schuberts to be removed across Winnipeg, it may take several years before the tree will be removed by City services.

As an alternative, homeowners who are not satisfied with the timeline for services on City-owned trees have the option of hiring a qualified contractor to perform the work at their own cost.  If there is a group of residents who are interested in pooling their resources to hire a qualified contractor to address Schubert removals and replacements in a shorter timeframe, they can certainly do so.  For details, visit Tree Maintenance Guidelines.

Winnipeg’s Urban Forestry Department has a large portfolio to attend to.  It includes all aspects of modern ‘urban forestry’:  tree inventories, tree planting, watering and fertilizing, pruning, D.E.D. (Dutch Elm Disease) control, removal operations, public relations and education, extension services, group workshops, on-site inspections and contract administration.   Visit their website to learn more about the important services they provide.

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