Urban Forestry involves the care and management of tree populations in urban settings to improve the quality of life. It focuses on planting, maintaining, and protecting trees to enhance environmental health, promote biodiversity, and provide social and economic benefits. A healthy urban tree canopy cools the city, reduces air pollution, and offers green spaces for recreation and relaxation.

We take pride in highlighting our efforts to expand and safeguard our urban canopy. Our goal is to manage and sustain the city’s street trees proactively, ensuring they are cared for in an arboriculturally sound and cost-effective way.

What makes an urban tree canopy?

It’s the leaves, branches, and stems of a tree that provide ground coverage when viewed from above. It’s the total shade canopy over a city. 

Why is our urban tree canopy important? 

Because trees deliver critical services to our city, so much so that they are considered natural assets and managed through our Asset Management Program just like roads and pipes are. 

We’ve become known nationally for our efforts in sustainability and climate action and part of that is due to our forward-thinking policies, strategies and our community strategic plan that guide us in our continued successes. 

Benefits of Urban Trees

Benefits of Urban Trees IMPROVES PHYSICAL & MENTAL HEALTH Trees encourage physical activity and are proven to reduce blood pressure, anxiety, stress and depression. ENCOURAGES TRAFFIC CALMING Street trees naturally reduce the speed in which vehicles travel making roads safer. COOLS AIR & REDUCES ENERGY CONSUMPTION Strategic placement of trees in urban areas can cool the air between 2°C and 8°C Reduce air conditioning needs by 30% and save energy used for heating by 20-50% ONE SMALL TREE CAN PROVIDE AS MUCH COOLING AS FIVE AIR CONDITIONING UNITS. MATURE TREES, 10 UNITS! PROVIDES SHADE Trees cool urban areas by providing shade and absorbing sunlight, drastically reducing surface temperatures and increasing the longevity of roadways, car paint, and other structures. ENRICHES HABITAT & BIODIVERSITY Trees increase biodiversity above and below ground by creating habitats for animals, micro-organisms, pollinators, and other plants. MANAGES STORMWATER Trees absorb water, reducing stress on stormwater systems and mitigating flood risk They also improve soil quality and prevent erosion. IMPROVES AIR QUALITY & MITIGATES CLIMATE CHANGE Trees mitigate climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing carbon in the trees and soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere Large urban trees are excellent filters for urban pollutants and fine particles. A SINGLE TREE CAN ABSORB ONE TONNE OF CO2 IN THEIR LIFETIME In Canada ONE TONNE of Greenhouse Gases is equal to DRIVING 4500 KMS HEATING A HOME FOR FOUR MONTHS INCREASES PROPERTY VALUES Landscaping, especially with trees can increase property values by 20% and to many, are the single most important indicator of attractiveness in a community.

Selkirk’s Tree Inventory

Selkirk’s Tree Inventory flows out of our corporate Strategic Plan and award winning Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.

We track the inventory through our Asset Management Program  because trees are natural assets that deliver services, and as a city we need to protect these assets.

Selkirk currently has 7479 trees logged; 5463 are on public property and 2016 are in Parks (not incl. forested areas).

Selkirk currently has 121 varieties of trees.

City of Selkirk staff are measuring and recording trees

Street Tree Policy

Selkirk’s Street Tree Policy, passed in June of 2021 has five objectives:

  • Proactively manage and sustain the city’s Street Trees in a arboriculturally sound and cost-effective manner that provides the greatest environmental, economic and social benefit to residents.
  • Protect our road infrastructure from heat and ultraviolet rays.
  • Relieve pressure from our storm drainage network by using Street Trees to better manage stormwater. 
  • Improve air quality.
  • Through carbon sequestration, reduce the net CO2 emissions of our community.

Public Safety

Just as our roads and sewer lines need replacing from time to time, so do our trees. Our street tree policy calls for the removal of trees only for just cause or when public safety is at risk. 

A Job Well Done

Trees that have reached the end of their life, but we’re grateful for all that they provided throughout their lifespan:

  • Shade
  • Improved air quality
  • Stormwater management
  • Improved air quality
  • Mitigated climate change
  • Increased property values
  • Provided habitat
  • Calmed traffic speeds
  • Improved physical and mental health
  • Cooled the air

Below is a list of significant trees that we’ve had to remove

City of Selkirk Staff planting a maple tree along Manitoba Avenue

Selkirk’s work, so far

We take pride in showcasing the work we do to grow and protect our urban canopy. We strive to proactively manage and sustain the city’s Street Trees in an arboriculturally sound and cost-effective manner that provides the greatest environmental, economic, and social benefit to our residents.

Read about our work below:
Two City of Selkirk Staff smiling and looking at a tree in a park

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. A tree has fallen on or near my property and needs to be removed.
    • The City of Selkirk urban forestry staff or city contractors will remove fallen trees grown on public property. Fallen trees grown on private property are the homeowner’s responsibility.
      If you are unsure of tree ownership, please contact the City of Selkirk Citizen Support Representatives to open a ticket. City staff will assess the tree’s location and determine ownership and responsibility for a resolution.
  2. A dead tree on or near my property needs to be removed.
    • Please contact the City of Selkirk Citizen Support Representatives to open a ticket. City staff will assess the tree’s location and determine ownership, tree health, and responsibility for removal if deemed necessary.
  3. A tree on or near my property has dead or low-hanging branches that must be trimmed.
    • Please contact the City of Selkirk Citizen Support Representatives to open a ticket. The City of Selkirk urban forestry staff or city contractors will trim trees grown on public property as deemed necessary. Trimming trees grown on private property is the homeowner’s responsibility.
  4. A tree on or near my property has orange paint on it.
    • Trees throughout the city marked with orange paint are deemed to have been infected with Dutch Elm disease by the Manitoba government provincial forestry branch. Surveys to identify elm trees infected with this disease are conducted throughout the summer, and trees are removed in the fall and winter. If the tree is located on your private property, you will receive a notice regarding this tree’s removal. For more information regarding Dutch Elm Disease, please visit the Government of Manitoba’s website.