Whether it is a pristine forest, an urban park or a backyard garden, our green spaces and the trees, plants and animals that live in them are valuable components of our environment that contribute to climate moderation, biodiversity, quality of life and local food security.

The Natural Heritage Study was undertaken in 2004 to inventory natural areas parts of our city, identify environmentally significant areas and provide planners and developers with guidance on how to protect sensitive natural assets within the City of Kingston.

Kingston also has an Urban Forestry Management Plan that guides how our urban trees are planned, planted and maintained.

Trees in Kingston

The City owns and maintains thousands of trees on public property including boulevards, parks, and forests. To ensure the health, safety, and growth of our tree canopy, the City performs routine work that could include any of the following activities:

• Assessing:  completed to identify tree health and hazards. Assessments can be performed on an annual basis, upon request, as well as the first spring following planting.
• Pruning: dead or diseased branches are removed to prevent hazards, improve sightlines, encourage healthy tree growth, and prevent impact to City infrastructure. This includes any clearing done around overhead wires, street lights, sidewalks, and over roads to ensure public safety and prevent future hazards.
• Removing: dead or diseased trees, or trees that pose a risk to public safety, are removed.
• Stumping: following any tree removals, grinding takes place to remove the stump, typically in the spring.
• Planting: species are selected based on location, environment, and diversification. Planting is performed annually in the spring and fall.

All maintenance work is performed by City arborists, who are certified with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). 

Protecting Trees from Drought

Trees, particularly young trees, are vulnerable to drought. Residents can help keep Kingston's urban forest healthy by watering trees during extended dry periods. 

How much water does a tree need?

Trees need about 2.5 cm (one inch) of water per week to stay healthy. Unlike other plants and grasses, trees do not go dormant during periods of drought and need water to survive.

Did you know using a hose or sprinkler to water a tree will cost less than $0.20 per week? Review the water wise guidelines below to learn more about conserving water.

Water Wise Guidelines

Conserving water is important during periods of drought. Please consider these guidelines when watering trees:  

1. Follow the Water Bylaw: Odd-numbered addresses water on odd-numbered days, evens on evens, from June 15 to September 15. 
2. Water a circular area around the tree: Ideally extending from the trunk to its outermost branches, which waters the tree's full root system. During a drought, concentrate on saturating the soil about 1.5 m around the tree.
3. Water to a depth of 2.5 cm (one inch): If you are using a sprinkler, you can check the depth with an empty tuna can. Stop watering when the can is half-full. Save water by:
   • Placing mulch around the tree, forming it in a dish to help retain moisture.
   • Watering in the early morning to reduce the loss of water to evaporation.
   • Using water from a rain barrel. Put it in a bucket with holes drilled in the bottom and place it at the base of a tree. Or consider water bags available at some local retailers.

See Utilities Kingston's Water Conservation Garden page for tips on how to set up your garden to need less water.