City Departments

Forestry

Cambridge's Forestry Division would like to inform citizens that we provide tree services when required, to all municipally owned trees. These trees are located along streets within the road allowance.

Municipal tree services include:
  • tree removal/trimming
  • planting (spring and fall), fertilizing
  • disease diagnosis
  • pest diagnosis
  • after hours emergency service (ie. tree damaged during a wind storm)


We would like to remind you that the cutting or trimming of City owned trees is a violation of City By-law #71-06, which regulates tree preservation and propagation (for a copy of this by-law please contact the Corporation directly). The homeowner is responsible to determine ownership of a tree(s) on or adjacent to their property prior to undertaking any maintenance/trimming of said tree(s). However, the municipality has no jurisdiction on the removal or trimming of trees located on private property.

If you require our services, or need information about municipal trees, please phone the Forestry Call Centre at 519.740.4681, ext. 4017 or email forestrycallcentre@cambridge.ca. If you are calling after hours regarding emergency tree services please call 519.621.0740.

Tree Dedication Programme

The Community Services Department is pleased to be able to offer a Commemorative Tree Planting Programme. This programme may be used as a form of remembrance of a loved one, celebration of a birth, honoring a retiree, or any other event which you feel should be commemorated by living tribute. Trees will be planted in approved areas within City Parks and Cemeteries.

Please feel free to contact the Forestry Division at 519.740.4681 ext. 4017, if you have any questions concerning this program, and its associated costs.

Conditions:

  1. The manager of Horticulture & Forestry Services reserves the right to:
    1. Approve any preferred species of tree.
    2. Approve the site for planting and suggest alternative sites.
    3. Purchase the tree and deem the tree healthy upon its arrival.

  2. Once planted the tree becomes the sole responsibility of the Forestry Department, who will endeavour to keep the tree properly maintained.

  3. Total costs are payable to the City of Cambridge Community Services Department before the planting date.

If a memorial plaque is requested it must be ordered 6 weeks prior to planting time. It can, however, be installed at a later date. Payment must accompany order. All costs may be subject to change.

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been detected in two woodlands on either side of the Highway 401 at Homer Watson Boulevard in the Cities of Cambridge and Kitchener. It is thought that this forest pest arrives at this location along the Highway several years ago and since that time has become well established in the woodlands.

EAB has killed a large number of Ash trees in southwestern Ontario and poses a major economic and environmental threat to urban and forested areas across Canada and the U.S.

EAB does not pose a risk to human health.

The Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and the Townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich, along the Grand River Conservation Authority along with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are working in cooperation to implement measures to help slow the spread of the pest as well as keep residents informed about what this means to Waterloo Region.

To learn more about EAB and what is being done in Waterloo Region visit the Region's website.

For inquiries regarding EAB in the City of Cambridge, you may contact the Forestry Call Centre at 740-4681 x 4017 or email forestrycallcentre@cambridge.ca.


What Trees Grow Best Where You Live - Ontario's Tree Atlas
This document provides some suggestions on native trees you may wish to consider planting and others that you may wish to avoid as they are invasive, exotic species.