Cultivating Our Canopy: Edmonton’s Commitment to Trees & Urban Forests

Giselle General
Aug 9
3 min read

It’s remarkable how much greenery we have in Edmonton ranging from grand elm canopies in mature neighbourhoods to newly planted saplings rising in developing areas.

I marvel whenever I travel along Whitemud Drive and see signs for Root for Tress with the year when those trees were planted. I was touched when city administration and our leaders published a robust public awareness campaign over the threat of Dutch Elm Disease. I eventually learned how to quickly spot black knot and diligently report through the 311 app whenever I see it.

Trees are part of what makes our city feel alive, resilient, and connected to nature.

Why Trees Matter to Edmonton

Edmonton’s trees offer more than shade as they contribute to, cleaner air and improved mental health, stormwater mitigation and energy savings as well as wildlife habitat and community beauty.

This is part of a long-term strategy. The Urban Forest Asset Management Plan aims to grow our tree canopy from roughly 13% today to 20% by 2071. That involves planting 900 boulevard and open space trees each year, plus expanding natural areas through restoration.

What the City Does: Stewardship & Community Involvement

Urban Forestry Operations

Edmonton manages over 380,000 boulevard and park trees, maintained through pruning, hazard removal, watering, and assessment. Roughly 57,000 trees are pruned annually.
Each year approximately 6,000 trees are replaced to keep pace with losses due to disease, drought, or damage.
The Old Man Creek Nursery, operating since 1910, grows about 3,500 caliper trees and 25,000 native plants yearly, including trial species suited for Edmonton’s climate.

Community Tree Programs

Root for Trees is a volunteer-driven planting initiative aiming to plant 45,000 native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers annually. To date, thousands have volunteered to support the naturalization of public spaces.
Grow Together enables community leagues to request up to 20 new trees in their neighbourhood, with educational planting events hosted by Urban Forestry.

Bylaws & Permits

Property owners must maintain trees on or near their property boundaries, ensuring branches do not interfere with sidewalks or streets. City-owned trees require coordination via Urban Forestry.
Public Tree Permits are required for construction or demolition within proximity of city trees or natural areas to protect canopy health.

What Edmonton Can Do Better

Public feedback and urban forestry experts emphasize areas needing further improvement:

Tree species diversity: To prevent threats like Dutch Elm Disease and Emerald Ash Borer, more resilient species such as burr oaks and lindens are being added to the mix.
Planting in constricted spaces: Innovations like soil cells and widened tree pits are improving survival in high-traffic urban zones.
Ongoing care: New trees need consistent watering and maintenance. Planting without follow-through risks waste and disappointment.

What I Will Champion

As your potential city councillor, here’s what I will stand for:

Strengthen funding for tree watering, pruning, and cycle-based maintenance, especially in developing areas.
Grow the inventory for species diversity to guard against disease and climate stress.
Support community groups through programs like Root for Trees and Grow Together, ensuring volunteer planting remains robust.
Educate residents on caring for trees, private and public, through public workshops and accessible resources.
Enforce bylaws fairly to balance public safety and tree preservation, including clearer guidance on permitted pruning windows.
Advocate for canopy in planning: Ensure new neighbourhood designs prioritize tree space and integrate soil-friendly infrastructure.

How Can You Get Involved or Learn More?

Visit Edmonton’s Urban Forestry pages for full program details, inventories, and permitting information
Volunteer for community planting via Root for Trees or Grow Together
Report issues like dead branches, black knot or public tree damage via 311. Most especially, signs for Dutch Elm disease.

Together, let’s build a greener, healthier city for future generations. Whether you care for a private tree, plant with friends, or simply enjoy shade in summer, our urban forest is a shared legacy. I welcome your ideas, stories, and suggestions on how Edmonton can keep growing into a canopy-filled, climate-resilient capital.