Request a Tree
Property owners may make a request for a tree to be planted on the municipal boulevard adjacent to their property, subject to review and approval by the Parks Division. There are a few options available if you would like a boulevard tree:
- Call Parks Division (625-2195) and request to be put on the two-year waiting list, and the City will provide a tree at no cost to you.
- Pay the full cost (approximately $450) of a 50 mm diameter tree and have it planted before too long. (Tax receipt provided by City.)Those that do receive permission will be required to obtain utility locates by calling the utility companies listed on the inside cover of the phonebook.
- Participate in the Tree Stewardship Program by paying for only 1/3 of the cost and receive a tree within six months, if not sooner.
Please note: Not all boulevard locations will qualify due to space and utility restrictions. All plantings on City property must be approved by the City's Parks Division.
Can I request a tree for a Park?
You can request a tree for a City park through the Commemorative Tree and Bench Program, or request approval for a citizen-conducted Forest Restoration project.
Tree Species Selection
The urban environment is not a natural setting for tree growth, and conditions can be very difficult (see Caring for Trees below). For this reason, the City of Thunder Bay and the Tree Stewardship Program plant cultivated species that are tolerant to many of the urban growing conditions and are cold tolerant to our Canadian Plant Hardiness Zone 3A.
The Thunder Bay forest region has a limited number of native tree species for urban tree planting, in comparison to more southerly ecosystems. Native evergreen species found in the regional forest are planted by the City of Thunder Bay in parks, open spaces and as living buffers. They are not planted on boulevards because their low, full branches cause sight-line concerns for motorists and provide hiding places for illicit behaviour, which cause safety concerns. As well, grass grows very poorly under evergreen trees and is a source of concern for many homeowners.
Native deciduous trees have been planted by the City of Thunder Bay in the past but several have become unsuitable for urban planting:
- Ash and birch trees were once planted in Thunder Bay and did very well. However, they are both threatened by present or imminent pests, namely: the bronze birch borer (on birch trees) and the emerald ash borer (on ash trees).
- Native poplars are not planted because they sprout sucker shoots throughout residents' yards, drop sticky buds and produce copious amounts of seed.
- Native sugar maples do not survive in urban environments and so as an alternative, we plant sugar maple cultivars.
- Elm trees were planted and did well in Thunder Bay until the arrival of the Dutch Elm Disease (DED) which eliminated most local elm. DED is still a threat to elm trees. Bur oak and mountain ash are some native species that do well locally and are planted frequently by the City.
Spacing requirements
Trees require space above and below ground. Without this growing room, trees are hindered in their ability to absorb nutrients and water. Paving, overhead wires and underground utilities all need to be accounted for before planting. Interference with other trees, compacted soil, and cramped areas can distress trees, leaving them more susceptible to disease and pests.
The planting site should meet the following minimum space requirements:
- Distance from street curb line (corner) - 9 m
- Distance from driveway - 3.3 m
- Distance from fence/property line - 1 m
- Distance from existing trees - 6 m
- Distance from stumps (including those recently ground) - 1.5 m
- Distance from street lamp - 3.3 m
- Distance from water/sewer lines - 3.3 m
- Distance from gas, telephone and hydro lines - 1.5 m
One of the City's ecological goals is to create an urban forest that is species and age diverse to better defend against natural and man-made threats. Even with the proper tree species and planting locations, our northern urban environment is generally not conducive to long-lived trees. Urban conditions shorten the lives of trees, with an average of a 60-year lifespan.
Do I have a choice of tree species?
A limited selection of boulevard trees is viable for our climate, which is in Canadian Plant Hardiness Zone 3A. Every effort is made to provide the tree species requested; however, tree species selection will ultimately be determined in consultation with the City Forester and based upon availability.
For larger planting areas where there are no overhead wire restrictions, the following species may be considered:
American Linden/Basswood (Tilia americana)
Height: 18 m
Form: oval
Foliage: heart shaped
Fall Colour: dark yellow
Flowers: small, white, fragrant
Other: great form, reliable
Norlin Linden (Tilia cordata 'Ronald')
Height: 15 m
Form: broad pyramidal
Foliage: heart shaped, dark green
Fall Colour: yellow
Flowers: not ornamentally important
Other: fast growing, resistant, hardy
Dropmore Linden (Tilia flavescens 'Dropmore')
Height: 15 m
Form: pyramidal
Foliage: very dark green, glossy
Fall Colour: yellow
Flowers: fragrant, cream coloured
Harvest Gold Linden (Tilia mongolica ‘Harvest Gold’)
Height: 12 m
Form: pyramidal
Foliage: emerges red/ green and turns to dark green, glossy, heart shaped
Fall Colour: brilliant gold
Flowers: small, fragrant, yellow
Other: slower growing, resistant to sun scald and leaf spot
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
Height: 14 m
Form: round
Foliage: green, birch-like
Fall Colour: golden
Flowers: showy, white
Fruit: small, purple
Other: corky and rough bark, hardy tree
Butternut (Juglans cinera)
Height: 14 m
Form: widespread
Foliage: opposite, compound leaves
Fall Colour: yellow
Flowers: not ornamentally important
Fruit: nuts
Other: slow growing
Honey Locust (Gleditsa triacanthos)
Height: 11 m
Form: spreading
Foliage: ovate, yellow/green
Fall Colour: yellow
Flowers: green/yellow, not showy, but very fragrant
Other: fast growing, thornless, seedless, compact
Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
Height: 20 m
Form: broad crown
Foliage: green, obviate shape
Fall Colour: yellow/brown
Flowers: brown, not appealing
Other: slow growing, long lived, strong/straight stem, drought resistant
Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
Height: 20 m
Form: rounded
Foliage: green, obovate shape
Fall Colour: rusty red
Flowers: pale yellow/green
Other: strong, long lived, needs room
Northern Pin Oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis)
Height: 20 m
Form: irregularly rounded crown
Foliage: elliptic-oblong
Fall Colour: red
Flowers: not ornamentally important
Other: drought tolerant
Northwood Maple (Acer rubrum 'Northwood')
Height: 15 m
Form: pyramidal
Foliage: emerges vibrant red and turns to dark green
Fall Colour: orange/red
Flowers: showy red
Other: deer resistant, fast growing, cold hardy, strong, long living
Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)
Height: 17 m
Form: oval
Foliage: green 5 lobed
Fall Colour: bright yellow, some burgundy
Flowers: small, dull red/orange
Other: fast growing, bark splits to show orangey colour underneath
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum 'Jefcan')
Height: 13 m
Form: oval
Foliage: dark green- Canada flag leaf
Fall Colour: yellow/orange, some burgundy
Flowers: green/yellow
Other: hardiest cultivar
Manitoba Maple (Acer negundo 'Baron')
Height: 14 m
Form: rounded
Foliage: green, pinnatly compound
Fall Colour: yellow/brown
Flowers: yellow-spring
Other: hardier, seedless variety, fast growing, short lived
Discovery Elm (Ulmus japonica 'Discovery')
Height: 12 m
Form: vase/ symmetrical upright
Foliage: dark green
Fall Colour: yellow
Flowers: not ornamentally important
Other: fast growing, requires thinning when young, resistant to Dutch Elm Disease
Russian Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia 'Rossica')
Height: 9 m
Form: oval
Foliage: dark green, oval compound
Fall Colour: vibrant orange/red
Flowers: showy, white
Fruit: very red berries
Other: smooth olive green bark
For smaller planting areas, or if there are overhead wires, these species may be considered:
Ivory Silk Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata 'Ivory Silk' )
Height: 7.5 m
Form: rounded
Foliage: dark green
Fall Colour: poor fall colour
Flowers: off-white, light fragrance
Other: tree version of its shrub cousin, salt tolerant
reticulate
Amur Maple (Acer ginnala)
Height: 4-6 m
Form: rounded
Foliage: dark green
Fall Colour: bright red
Flowers: yellowish, light fragrance
Other: Drought resistant
Amur Chokecherry (Prunus maacki)
Height: 7.5 m
Form: rounded
Foliage: green
Fall Colour: yellow
Flowers: white, showy, fragrant
Fruit: black drupe
Other: bark is copper/orange, attractive
Spring Snow Crab Apple (Malus x 'Spring Snow')
Height: 7.5 m
Form: oval, dense
Foliage: oval leaves, yellow
Fall Colour: yellow
Flowers: very showy, white
Other: shade tolerant
Pink Spire Crab Apple (Malus x 'Pink Spire')
Height: 6 m
Form: narrow
Foliage: red/purple in spring, green/bronze in summer
Fall Colour: copper
Flowers: lavender/pink
Fruit: red, persistent
Other: shade tolerant
Showy Mountain Ash (Sorbus decora)
Height: 5 m
Form: oval
Foliage: deep green, oval compound
Fall Colour: red, orange
Flowers: showy, white
Fruit: bright scarlet persistent berries
For information on invasive plant species that should not be planted in Thunder Bay please refer to the Grow Me Instead Guide for Northwestern Ontario. Grow Me Instead identifies potentially invasive plants and promotes suitable alternatives that are either native or non-invasive.
