Trees and Forestry

New and replacement trees

Tree planting requests are only eligible for public property.

Was the boulevard tree in front of your home recently removed? Contact us, and we will include a replacement tree in the tree-planting list.

Forestry will select tree species and determine the final placement if the request is approved. We check to make sure the mature size will suit the space, including any overhead hydro wires, and that the neighbourhood has a variety of tree species.

Tree planting occurs in large groups every spring and fall. 

Complimentary street tree program

The Environmental Action Committee has partnered with generous supporters like Niagara Peninsula Energy Inc. to enhance our urban forest. We plant trees annually in city boulevards and medians. If your boulevard doesn’t have a tree, you can apply for a free one! 

Eligibility requirements

• Your boulevard currently has no tree
• You own the property where the tree will be planted
• You have not arranged with the City for a previous or existing boulevard tree
• You have never had a street tree and aren’t asking for a replacement
• You have not participated in this program before
• Your home is not in a subdivision that is less than five years old
• If your boulevard tree was recently cut down, you don’t qualify for this program, but you can ask about a replacement tree by calling 905-356-7521

To request your free street tree, check that you meet the requirements and contact:

Email: Community Development Coordinator
Phone: 905-356-7521 ext. 3341

Memorial tree programs

Consider planting a tree on municipal property in memory of a loved one or to help foster a greener environment.

• To purchase a memorial tree, visit the Commemorative Bench and Tree Program page
• To donate to tree and pollinator plantings, visit the Environmental Action Committee Memorial Fund page

Volunteer for tree planting and pollinator garden projects

Get involved in planting trees and creating pollinator gardens with the Environmental Action Committee! A limited number of volunteer spots will be available, offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

To learn about upcoming tree and pollinator planting events, visit our Volunteer Opportunities page.

Leaves

The Niagara Region handles leaf collection. Visit their website for more information on yard waste.

• Do not rake or blow leaves onto any roadway
• Place leaves in yard waste bags for the Niagara Region to collect year-round on your regular collection day
• Do not rake or blow leaves onto any roadway
• You can compost dry leaves in your backyard composter. For a list of items that go in a composter visit the Niagara Region website.

Branches

• The Niagara Region collects branches in the spring and fall, or you can drop them off at any landfill for free
• Stumps, limbs/large branches, and tree trunks are not collected at the curb but can be taken to a landfill year-round for free
• For more information, visit the Niagara Region website

Trimming of city trees

The City coordinates routine block trimming for municipal trees, which is planned 6-12 months in advance. Forestry crews work on a block-by-block basis to efficiently manage entire subdivisions. If a City tree near you needs attention, please report it.

Trees near or obstructing power lines

Niagara Peninsula Energy Inc. (NPEI) trims trees away from power lines located on public road allowances and easements, and around any of their service lines on private property. Visit their website for more details: Niagara Peninsula Energy: Tree Trimming.

Private trees: Contact your utility company directly:
 • Hydro One: 1-800-434-1235
 • Bell/Cogeco: 1-844-225-5550 (24/7)
 • Niagara Peninsula Energy Inc. (NPEI): 905-356-2681

Hazardous conditions: Call Hydro One immediately at 1-800-434-1235 if branches are smoking, sparking, burning, or pose an immediate hazard to power lines or poles.

Important: Never trim or cut trees near power lines yourself. Always contact the utility company for assistance.

We protect our tree canopy and will only remove municipal trees that are in poor condition.

Please contact us if you think a city tree is diseased or damaged, or suspect an invasive species is attacking it.

You'll receive a notification letter if a city-owned tree near your property is scheduled for removal.

After removing a tree, the stump is ground down, the area is restored with sod or seed, and a new tree is planted nearby. Weather and seasonal conditions may affect how quickly this process is completed.

Looking to plant a tree on your property?

For details on how to get a free tree during a scheduled event, visit the Green Events page.

No one can remove or damage a tree on public property.

Review the Tree By-law for full details about the rules for municipal trees.

Tree responsibility

If half or more of a tree is on the road allowance (the part of the property owned by the City), we take responsibility for it. If less than half of the tree is on the road allowance, the tree is considered private property. The City does not remove or trim trees on private property.

Not sure if a tree is yours or the City's? Contact us, and we will help.

How to report potential by-law violations

To report a private tree that is dead, decayed, damaged and may be hazardous, you can contact us in a few easy ways:

• Complete the online form
• Phone 905-356-7521 to file your complaint or ask for assistance
• Email service@niagarafalls.ca, including the complaint type, location/address of concern, description of the issue, and your contact information

Note: Complaints should include as much detail as possible (address, dates/times, description). All complaints are reviewed by a By-law Enforcement Officer and investigated in accordance with City by-laws.

To learn more about private property maintenance, visit our Property Standards page.

Private tree maintenance and boundary lines

To maintain your private tree, please contact a certified arborist or tree service company. 

The city does not maintain trees on private property or have authority over private boundary tree disputes. Always discuss tree issues with your neighbour and hire a qualified expert for any work. For legal advice, contact a lawyer.

If you are dealing with trees on a neighbouring property, keep these points in mind:

1. Whoever owns the tree is responsible for maintaining the tree
2. You cannot trespass onto your neighbour's property
3. You cannot damage your neighbour's property (in this case, a tree)
4. You have the right to maintain your property in a safe condition
5. In Ontario, a tree with a base growing on the boundary between two properties is the common property between the owners. Both owners must agree on how to maintain it. These "boundary trees" are regulated by the Ontario Forestry Act Section 10, which makes it an offence to injure or destroy a tree growing on the boundary between adjoining lands without the consent of the land owners.

If branches from a neighbour’s tree hang over your property, talk with your neighbour to reach an agreement before taking action. Trimming overhanging branches of a tree belonging to someone else is usually not an issue between neighbours as long as it does not harm the tree. If trimming overhanging branches without permission contributes to the harm or death of the tree, it could lead to legal issues.

Development proposals must include plans to protect and preserve private and public trees affected by construction sites.

To learn more about arborist reports and tree protection plans for your project, please contact Planning, Building and Development at 905-356-7521 ext. 4330 or pbd@niagarafalls.ca. 

To learn how we protect these vital spaces, check out the Natural Woodland Conservation page.

Access the official inventory of city-owned trees for detailed information.

Niagara Falls Tree Inventory