Benefits of Street Trees

Street Tree Watering and Care
Street Tree Pruning and Planting

Beautification and Greening
Trees add to the natural beauty of an area and detract from plain or unattractive building frontages, streetscapes and traffic circles.

Produce Revenue
Trees return up to $5 in benefits for every dollar spent on them. A key cash benefits is that property values increase by 3 – 5% where trees are present. Trees shelter buildings from wind and the sun to reduce heating or cooling costs. Trees also reduce storm water run off and the associated costs. A great public investment!

Slows Traffic
Street trees create an outdoor space or hallway for cars to move through. This results in a natural tendency to slow down. Drivers tend to notice individual businesses rather than glance at numerous businesses and signs at one time.

Save Energy
One large tree has the same cooling effect as 15 room-size air conditioners. Mature trees shading buildings cut energy costs by 18 – 50%.

Clean the Air
One acre of trees removes five tons of carbon dioxide from the air annually. One tree cleans up pollution created by a car driving 11,300 miles as well as gives off enough oxygen for a family of four to breathe for a year.

Efficiency
Trees in a city provide the largest area of greenery needing the smallest amount of space. The leaves of a tree crown have a surface up to 10 times larger than the ground space they cover. 500 mature trees equal enough leaves to cover 100 football fields.

Mature Trees
It takes 2500 saplings (young trees) to replace one mature tree.

Dust Filter
Streets with trees have up to 2/3 less dust particles than streets without trees.

Sound Absorption
Trees act as sound absorbers against street noise.

Air Movement
Due to different temperatures near the tree and its surroundings, areas of air circulation aid to cool the surroundings and remove humidity.

Protection from Elements
Trees protect from the wind and rain.

Natural Habitat
Trees provide homes for birds and other living organisms.

Tree Species Used in Sidewalk Plantings
There has been a great deal of research and experimentation conducted with street trees in the past 10 to 15 years. Nurseries now grow numerous species in order to mix tree species, on a given block, to add landscape variety to the landscape and prevent the spread of disease and pests. Sidewalk trees selected today have the following characteristics:

Small to medium size (20 – 35 feet at maturity)

Raised crown to provide as much clearance as possible between the sidewalk and lower branches

Non-aggressive root systems

Growth habits that are compatible with overall streetscapes (e.g. trees with upright growth habits are used in narrow spaces)

Insect and disease resistant

Ornamental Characteristics (could include bark, fall colour, flowers, and/or other interesting characteristics)

Street Tree Maintenance
If you have any tree service work requests, regarding boulevard trees, please call the Parks and Recreation Administration office at 604-527-4567. Please note that this program is applicable only to boulevard trees. Any questions, problems or work needed on private property trees must be dealt with through an arborist or other means as the situation warrants.

Tree Bylaws
Click here for bylaw details.