Trees & Urban Forests

Trees on City property

If a tree is within eight to 20 feet from the front of a property, it is most likely on municipal grounds and will be maintained or treated by the City. Trees considered hazardous are removed to prevent harm to people or property. The City does not remove healthy trees that drop branches, cones, or seeds onto private property.

Residents must get permission from the City before planting a tree on municipal property. Trees growing on City property are owned by the City regardless of who planted them. Pruning or planting of City-owned trees is not permitted by anyone other than City staff or contractors.

General tree care

A visible decline in tree health often starts with drought-related stress. This in turn might bring on other symptoms like disease and insects which often attack drought-stressed trees. Fortunately, most drought-related issues can be alleviated with frequent deep-watering.

Here are other ways to keep your trees alive and kicking:

Herbicides can damage or kill trees, as trees are just larger versions of broad-leafed weeds. Never use herbicides in hot weather or apply under a tree canopy.
Keep grass away from the tree base. It reduces root compaction from mowers, eliminates the chance of damage from string trimmers, and reduces competition for water and nutrients.

Diseases and pests

Insect pests on ornamental trees are often more troubling to tree owners than to the trees themselves, which can often survive infestations. Most pest and disease problems in an urban environment result from tree stress or too much (or too little) water, light, or fertilizer. However, there are occasions where infestations can pose a serious threat to tree health.

Douglas-fir beetle outbreaks occur regularly in British Columbia and usually last up to five or six years. Certain parts of B.C. experience higher than normal populations of these pests, including the area around Prince George.
The colour of an infected tree's needles offers a visual indication of the infestation's progress:
- Pale green or yellow - The tree has been recently attacked.
- Bright red - The tree was infested the previous year.
- Brown - Along with sparse foliage, brown needles indicate the tree has been dead for two or three years.
- Grey - A grey tree that has lost its needles has been dead for more than two years.
Spruce beetle outbreaks are a normal occurrence in spruce forests and typically last five or more years. Outbreaks often happen when beetle levels rise in trees that have been blown down with the insects eventually moving on to attack living spruce trees.
Bark beetle populations - including the spruce beetle - are increasing beyond normal levels thanks to changing weather and climate. Mild winters have led to increased winter survival rates and favourable weather conditions have increased how quickly these beetles can complete their life cycle.
External Signs of Infestation
- A pale yellow-green or red-brown crown. It may take a year or more for needles to change colour and fall off.
- Light brown or red-brown fine sawdust on the tree's bark and around the tree base.
- Crystallized tree sap on the bark. This may not always be present, especially if a beetle attack occurs in the late fall or in stressed trees.
- The layer of tissue between the tree bark and wood is brown and crumbly.
- Accurately identify the plant. Many insects and diseases are plant-specific. This information can quickly limit the number of suspected diseases and disorders.
- Compare the affected plant with other plants on the site. If damage is restricted to a single specimen it may indicate insect, disease, or mechanical damage. Damage to several trees or plants, especially of different types, is an indication of environmental damage such as drought, flood, heat damage, gaseous fumes, the opening of the tree canopy, or a toxic spill.
- Examine the roots. Brown roots usually indicate dry soil conditions or the presence of toxic chemicals. Black roots reflect overly wet soil or the presence of root-rotting organisms.
- Examine the trunk for wounds. Wounds can be caused by weather, fire, lawnmowers, and rodents as well as a variety of other mechanical factors.
- Note the position and appearance of affected leaves. Dead leaves at the top of the tree are usually the result of root stress. Twisted or curled leaves may indicate viral infection, insect feeding, or exposure to herbicides.