Homeowners offered cash to save mature trees in Burlington

Burlington will split pruning costs with homeowners if it leads to saving mature trees.

City councillors have approved a pilot program to be put into place in urban areas that will pay 50 per cent of the maintenance costs of what they term “significant trees.”

Payments will be capped at $1,000 and $25,000 is in the fund (meaning about 25 trees will be eligible).

The move comes as the city tries to save trees that homeowners are tempted to cut down to avoid long-term costs.

Statistics show that increasingly residents are applying for permission to remove mature trees.

“Often, residents are more willing to pay a higher one-time fee to remove a significant tree, rather than pay a lower fee multiple times to
maintain the tree through regular maintenance,” reads a report submitted to city councillors this week that also points out that steps should be taken to make sure that healthy trees are not being unnecessarily removed.

Defined as any tree with a diameter of 75 cm or greater, Burlington believes significant trees have a positive impact on the entire community.

“The rationale for his consideration is because significant trees tend to provide a substantial amount of canopy cover and benefit more
than one landowner,” the report continues. “Large, significant trees are more effective than a smaller stature tree as it relates to mitigating urban heat island effect, stormwater attenuation, filtering air particulate matter, and provide greater property value.”

It is believed that 2,000 trees in Burlington fall into the significant category.

Once the program is put into place homeowners will have to apply for the funds and city arborists will determine if the tree qualifies.

The pilot indicates that residents can apply every 10 years for the same tree but if the program proves successful applications may be accepted more frequently.