FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Not every tree that is cut down will be replaced in that location. The City of Winnipeg Urban Forestry Branch (UFB) applies a number of criteria that will affect the decision whether or not to replace a tree, and with what species. This includes width of boulevard, width of sidewalk, proximity to existing trees; proximity to underground utilities and overhead wires; proximity to stop signs and driveways (reduction of visibility, the likelihood of mechanical damage from snowploughs, etc). Their goal is to plant the ‘right tree’ in the ‘right place.”

A tree also may not be replaced right away. When Trees Riverview initiated our efforts in 2021, it took three to five years for the City to replace a tree. In recent years, with additional funding available through the 2 Billion Trees program and with the City approval of the Urban Forest Strategy, a tree will typically be replaced within one-two years if the location is appropriate. Typically, there will be a UFB planting project in Riverview every second year.

If you lose a boulevard tree, and you want it replaced, make sure you contact 311. This does not necessarily mean it will be replaced more quickly, but it can’t hurt, and may help the City to put your neighbourhood on a higher priority list if they know there are a lot of homeowners with a high level of interest.

To improve efficiency, the city will usually leave stumps in place until the tree is replaced. The stump removal will be combined with the planting in a single visit, with the stump removal a first step in digging the hole for the new tree.

If the stump is an unusual hazard, it may be removed in advance of tree replacement.

If you think your stump is hazardous or should be removed in advance of tree planting, call or email 311. As well, if you haven’t let the city know you want your tree replaced, you should also contact 311.

Trees Riverview seeks funds from outside the regular Urban Forest Branch allocation to supplement public tree planting in the Riverview neighbourhood. Funds are usually limited to grants from outside agencies, other City funds (primarily the Land Development Reserve Fund), and an occasional donation. In 2024, each tree cost approximately $660 (including planting by an approved contractor and two years of watering and maintenance). In 2021, we contracted the planting of 55 trees along Baltimore Rd (east of Fisher Park) and Arnold Ave. In 2022, we had funds to plant 29 trees on boulevards throughout the neighbourhood, with an additional 15 trees planted at the Riverview Community Centre (near the bus circle) thanks to an anonymous donation. We did not obtain grant funds for planting in 2023. In 2024, 30 boulevard trees were planted.

We are making a difference in protecting and restoring our neighbourhood tree canopy with these grants and allocations, but we cannot keep up with the rate of tree loss in the neighbourhood.

Since Trees Riverview works with the Urban Forestry Branch on tree planting locations, if you want your boulevard tree replaced, the best first step is to contact 311 as soon as possible, and let the City know.

There are still many gaps awaiting trees in our neighbourhood, and more trees are lost every year. To aim for transparency and fairness, Trees Riverview uses the following principles to guide site selection for boulevard planting projects in the neighbourhood:

Tree canopy density - boulevards with low canopy density (i.e. there are a number of possible planting sites in proximity to each other) are considered a higher priority than those streets with sporadic gaps.

Definable boundaries - preference to identifying a group of planting sites describable with clear boundaries (e.g. street blocks), where all approved gaps within the defined boundaries can be planted.

Contract size - boulevards/groups of proximate boulevards with numbers of gaps equalling the number of trees to be planted (determined by available funding) preferred.

Geographic proximity - boulevards in proximity to other high-priority boulevards will be preferred to maximize planting efficiency within a given contract.

Equitable neighbourhood distribution - preferred to rotate planting site groups through different areas of the neighbourhood (Examples: west/east of Osborne, 25’ / 50’ lot streets).

Frequency of use - boulevards along highly frequented streets are preferred to maximize the benefit to the neighbourhood as a whole. Examples include Churchill Drive, school perimeters, Fisher Park, Riverview Health Centre.

Because we plant on public lands, we work closely with Urban Forestry Branch to finalize the locations and species, and the ultimate decision on tree replacement, including location and species, is theirs.

No. If your boulevard tree is scheduled to be replaced through a Trees Riverview planting project, you will be given an opportunity to opt out if you choose.

Yes, within certain limits. Trees Riverview planting projects follow the city’s approved list of trees that are appropriate for boulevard planting. The species chosen reflect things like the need for diversity in the urban forest canopy, hardiness and resilience to our changing climate, and resistance to disease and pests. Occasionally smaller ornamental trees are recommended due to available space at the site or overhead lines at a planting location. Finally, for Trees Riverview planting, the selection of trees available will depend on what may be available at the time to contractors at local nurseries. If your boulevard tree is being replaced through a Trees Riverview project, you will typically be given a few different options that meet the right criteria for your site. If you don’t approve of any of the options we won’t arrange for a tree to be planted there.

Further information on planting, including a link to the UFB’s list of approved species, is available HERE.

You can enter into a homeowner’s agreement with the City to arrange for a tree to be planted on your boulevard instead of waiting for the city or a Trees Riverview planting project. A key part of this agreement requires hiring a contractor on the City’s pre-approved list which can be quite costly. You can’t just dig a hole and plant the tree yourself. For further information, check the Urban Forestry site.

Donations can be made by e-transfer to TreesRiverview@gmail.com or through a cheque to Trees Riverview.

Before donating, we suggest you contact us first at TreesRiverview@gmail.com. We can have a conversation about the intent of your gift, whether or not you wish to be publicly recognized (for instance: in a blog post, on our website, in meeting minutes, etc.), and answer other questions you may have.

NOTE: Trees Riverview is a Manitoba grassroots non-profit, not a registered Canadian charity. Therefore we are NOT able to issue tax receipts for donations.

The City has a Commemorative Tree donation program where you can arrange for a tree to be planted in memory of someone or to commemorate a special event. You will be responsible for all financial costs (in 2024, this was $1000), but the City will work with you in selecting an appropriate location and species, and will arrange for all aspects of planting, appropriate maintenance, and even replacement if necessary. Plaques can’t be placed on the tree or nearby (to avoid damage to the tree or interference with tree or grass maintenance), but a record of the commemorative tree will be kept by the City. Finally, the City will also issue a charitable tax receipt for approximately 70% of the cost of the tree.

Churchill Drive Park is already identified as an appropriate planting location under the commemorative tree program, but you can also suggest other neighbourhood locations that may have special significance for you. In our experience, Urban Forestry Branch seeks to work with families to find a site that is both personally meaningful, and also appropriate for a tree. For instance, in 2021, two trees were planted in Fisher Park under this program. In one case, the tree commemorated a woman who had lived her whole life next to the park. In another case, a Riverview family chose to plant a tree as a tangible way to commemorate the life of their mother who lived in Europe.

Further information is available HERE.

Trees Riverview relies on others for information and assistance in our projects. Take a look at these sites for other questions you may have.

Urban Forestry Branch: The City of Winnipeg Urban Forestry Branch is responsible for boulevard and urban park trees in the City of Winnipeg, including planting, maintenance, disease and pests, tree removal, the commemorative tree program, the Urban Forest Strategy, and more.

Naturalist Services Branch: The City of Winnipeg Naturalist Services Branch is responsible for trees in more natural areas and parks along the river, including Churchill Drive Park. This includes beaver damage to trees, large group plantings, and invasive forest species like European Buckthorn. Naturalist Services also conducts volunteer tree planting events in Winnipeg. Please contact 311 if you are interested.

Trees Winnipeg: Trees Winnipeg is a non-profit charity dedicated to promoting the benefits and concerns of trees in Winnipeg's urban areas, focusing on tree diversity and care.

This site is especially useful for issues related to Winnipeg's Million Tree Challenge, including registering your tree, and signing up for the ReLeaf program to get low-cost trees for planting on private property.

Trees Please Winnipeg: Trees Please Winnipeg is coalition of resident groups lobbying all levels of government to make long term sustainable infrastructure investment available to cities like Winnipeg for the maintenance, diversification and expansion of urban forests.

This is the site for policy issues related to trees in Winnipeg.