Replacing Trees

May 26, 2021

Many different diseases are ravaging Winnipeg’s spectacular urban tree canopy. Every year approximately 2,000 – 3,000 boulevard & park trees are lost. The reasons include disease, vehicle impact, vandalism, snow plow damage, construction requirements, and normal tree mortality.

The City has just released a Report on the State of Winnipeg’s Urban Forest which provides an overview on the composition of Winnipeg’s urban forest, its value, how it is managed, introduces performance metrics and indicators for sustainable urban forest management, and compares Winnipeg’s urban forest management programs and services with other Canadian cities. This document is to provide a baseline and background to inform and help guide the development of the Comprehensive Urban Forest Strategy.

Healthy public trees are a valuable asset to the City and the community; therefore, removals are made only in cases that are determined to be serious enough to warrant this action:

Safety risk (as determined by Urban Forestry Branch staff; priority will be given to trees at risk of falling)
Diseased, decaying or dead trees
To facilitate approved major construction projects when alternative strategies aimed at saving the tree are not feasible
To facilitate construction of approved private approaches when alternative strategies aimed at saving the tree are not feasible
To eliminate damaging situations to structures where pruning is not an option

The Urban Forestry Branch has had to remove trees in the Waverley West ward for some of the above listed reasons, but – please know that trees can and are being replaced.

Council has allocated $29.2 million over six years towards the protection and enhancement of our tree canopy.

$13.2 million operating funding has been allocated over six years, including an increased allocation of approximately $1 million each year from 2021 to 2023 to help maintain our incredible urban tree canopy.

And yet, more money is required to keep up with the number of trees that need to be replaced.

Tree Replacements

The City replaces City of Winnipeg trees on public property. Trees that have been removed from the boulevard take up to 3-5 years to replace. Historically approximately 60% of locations are suitable for replanting.

If a City of Winnipeg tree has been removed from the boulevard in front of your home, and you want it replaced, please call 311 or email them at 311@winnipeg.ca (The schedule may change so I encourage you to check with 311 periodically – every 6 moths – to ensure you are updated. I also recommend you to email 311 so that you have a permanent record of your request.)
A Forestry Technician will determine if the site is still suitable to accept a tree. Some things do change over time, so not all sites will be suitable.
The type of tree is determined by the Technician based on the site and what is available. These decisions are made on a daily basis throughout the season.
You can request a species by contacting 311 – City foresters consider species requests; however they cannot guarantee the requested species will be planted. The Forestry Technician determines species based on site conditions and nursery stock available.
If you want to replace a City of Winnipeg tree sooner, you must hire a qualified contractor to replace the tree. See: City of Winnipeg Tree Replacements

PLEASE NOTE:

With the current forestry budget and the high volume of tree removals from boulevards and parks, it can take 3 to 5 years to replace a tree.
It is very important you contact 311 to make your request for tree replacement.

Removing Stumps

When large older trees are removed, the stump is left in the ground. There is forestry crew that removes the tree, and a different crew removes the stump.
If there is a stump on the boulevard, please contact 311 to have it removed. Forestry will have made a note of the location, but we recommend also contacting 311 to request a stump removal.
Stump removal can take up to two years to be removed. See Stump Removals for more details.