Frequently Asked Questions

There is extensive research demonstrating that trees offer a multitude of benefits, especially in the urban environment. Put simply, the older the tree, the more benefits it provides. Planting trees now ensures that future generations will get to enjoy the robust urban forest that we are privileged to enjoy in Halifax today. Trees improve air quality, counteract the urban heat island effect, support biodiversity, and reduce urban flooding. Beyond environmental benefits, trees are known to improve our mental health, and they make streets safer by calming traffic and buffering pedestrians from vehicles. 

HRM has an agreement with Nova Scotia Power where certain species are approved for planting under power lines. Although trees may compete for the same space as power lines, if the trees are properly pruned and managed, they pose little risk to power infrastructure. The city's proactive cyclical pruning program is designed to accomplish this. The benefits provided by the urban forest far outweigh the minimal risks imposed upon infrastructure, or cost of pruning. Accordion content.

Yes. Please call or email 311 to request tree planting. The requested site will be assessed by a municipal arborist, who will decide whether it is suitable for planting. City staff will do their best to accommodate all planting requests, however, there are a few reasons why the site may be deemed unsuitable. For example, lack of soil volume, sightline issues, known conflict with underground infrastructure, or lack of over head space. 

Homeowners are not responsible for the newly planted trees, and are asked to refrain from tampering with them unless it is for watering. The tree is under warranty through the contractor for 2 years after it has been planted. Once the warranty is expired, the city assumes full responsibility for the tree and it will be placed on the proactive cyclical pruning program. However, residents can call or email 311 at any time to report any tree issues and/or request service.

After a planting work order has been created but prior to actual planting, the site is assessed for underground infrastructure. This infrastructure is often located in the right of way space where the city plants trees. The presence of underground infrastructure at a requested site will prevent a tree from being planted and the work order will be cancelled. 

Species requests are accepted, but not guaranteed. HRM has an agreement with Nova Scotia Power where certain species are approved for planting under power lines. What is planted in a given year is also sometimes restricted by nursery stock availability. Lastly, the city has a larger vision for tree species and age class diversity, and maintaining control of what is planted allows us to work towards achieving that vision. 

A tree may be removed if it is structurally or biologically compromised, but often there is a causation effect of the two. It is in HRM's best interest to preserve a tree for as long as safely possible, so if a hazard can be mitigated via pruning this will be the course of action. Every city tree that is removed by HRM is first assessed by a municipal arborist, so if a tree was removed, this is because pruning would not mitigate the hazard. Sometimes this hazard is not apparent to the untrained eye.

In the case of construction and development, again, if a city tree is removed this was first assessed by a municipal arborist. Where possible, existing trees are integrated into construction planning. If this isn't possible and trees must be removed, one of two outcomes will follow. Either trees are planted in the final phases of construction, or compensation is collected for trees to be planted in proximity to the construction project. 

A work order will be created to remove the stump within three years, and a new tree will eventually be planted in its place. Sometimes this series of work happens within a couple of seasons, other times it is stretched out over a number of years. There are a few different things that can impact timeline of work, for example, if HRM is hit by a hurricane, work timelines may be significantly impacted. 

Please call 311 or email contactus@311.halifax.ca. The tree will be assessed by a municipal arborist who will determine what the best course of action is for the tree. 

For newly planted trees, underground locates are obtained for each tree planted in the right of way space in order to avoid infrastructure conflict. Tree roots will not damage properly functioning sewer systems or drains. Roots will only enter degrading drains or drains that have been damaged. Once they enter, they can cause the drain to back up. However, it is not the tree itself that has caused the damage, and the roots in the drain are only a symptom of damaged or degrading infrastructure.

Tree roots are not known to cause damage to water lines. 

Yes. T-600, "By-law Respecting Trees on Public Lands" is in place to protect trees that are growing on public property. This states that no person shall alter or remove a public tree without first obtaining a permit or written consent to do so. It also stipulates a requirement to establish a tree protection zone around trees where there is construction taking place in proximity to its location. 

24 hours for anything deemed an imminent threat to people or property, 1 year for all other pruning jobs. Year-round standard is subject to weather and other prohibiting conditions. 

24 hours for anything deemed an imminent threat to people or property, 3 years for all other removals. Year-round standard is subject to weather and other prohibiting conditions. 

3 years.

HRM currently does not have a service standard for tree planting.