Trees and Urban Forestry

An aerial view of an elm-lined residential street

City arborist pruning a tree using a lift bucket

As Edmontonians, we value and understand the importance of the city’s urban forest. Edmonton’s trees provide many environmental, ecological, economic, and social benefits. These include sequestering greenhouse gases, reducing damage from stormwater, providing wildlife habitat, reducing costs for winter heating and summer cooling, and promoting a sense of well-being and positive mental health!

The City recognizes the significance of these assets and works to maintain and grow the urban forest. With careful stewardship, the benefits from trees can continue for generations, appreciating over time. Proper management and education are crucial for continuous growth and improvement of the urban forest.

Are you planning any construction or demolition work? Does this work require laydown sites or site access within 5 meters of any City-owned trees or within 10 metres of a natural area? If you are coordinating any activities on or off City property that may have an impact on City trees, visit Public Tree Permit to take the steps required to preserve and protect City trees.

Plan, Policy and Procedure

The City is committed to growing, sustaining, maintaining, preserving, and protecting our urban forest. To ensure these goals are met, the City has developed guiding policies and procedures:

The Urban Forest Management Plan outlines key principles, objectives, and strategies.

The Corporate Tree Management Policy and Procedure outline roles and responsibilities in managing the City of Edmonton Urban Forest and outline mechanisms to ensure preservation and protection. The Policy will be applied using the Guidelines for Evaluation of Trees and the Natural Stand Valuation Guidelines.

The Tree Preservation Guidelines provide information on how to preserve and protect trees before, during, and post construction or demolition to prevent or minimize the likelihood of tree loss or damage.

Trees and Construction

Are you planning any construction or demolition work? Does this work require laydown sites or site access within 5 meters of any City-owned trees or within 10 metres of a natural area?

If you are coordinating any activities on or off City property that may have an impact on City trees, visit Public Tree Permit to take the steps required to preserve and protect City trees.