City Tree Operations and Details

Urban Forest
   Urban Forestry involves the maintenance and care of trees and shrubs in urban areas. These green elements, collectively known as the "urban forest," contribute significantly to a community's well-being. They offer various benefits, including shade, beauty, wildlife habitat, and landmarks, reflecting community pride. Unfortunately, urban forests face challenges such as disease, vandalism, climate issues, and neglect, leading to their decline across North America.

To address these challenges, it is crucial to focus on preserving the urban forest as a valuable civic asset. Doing so will not only benefit current residents and visitors but will also leave a positive legacy for future generations. The benefits of maintaining urban forests include:
  improved air and water quality
  reduced erosion impact
  temperature regulation
  energy conservation
  noise reduction
  visual screening

By recognizing and addressing these advantages, communities can foster a healthier and more sustainable urban environment.

City Tree or Homeowners?
Using a City of Yorkton street offset map, the Urban Forestry team will complete a site inspection.
  The site inspection will include measuring the offset from the curb or inside edge of the sidewalk to determine if the tree in question is on public or private property.
The offset is a buffer of land between public property and private property.
If the tree is on public property, the City will coordinate appropriate maintenance needed for that tree.
Trees that are located on the offset are maintained by the City.
If the tree is on private property, it will be up to the property owner to coordinate maintenance of the tree either on their own or through a private contractor.

Need help determining if a tree is public or private? Request a tree assessment.

More information on the City of Yorkton's Trees and how they are maintained can be found in the Urban Forestry Bylaw.

Pruning
Young trees are pruned to improve structural strength, reduce costly maintenance in the future and to increase their longevity.
Mature trees are pruned to eliminate hazards, provide clearance and maintain health. 
  Elm trees undergo pruning on a 5-year cycle, taking place between October and March.
  For other tree species, pruning occurs throughout the year, specifically from April to September.
The pruning process is organized into designated zones 

Tree Planting
  Planting is typically done in the fall with 5’-6’ trees.
However, we are flexible and also plant trees in the spring to accommodate any emerging projects.
This initiative aims not only to replace any trees that may have died or been removed but also to ensure long-lasting environmental, communal, social, and economic benefits.
We are dedicated to establishing a resilient and diverse tree population throughout the city for the well-being of future generations.

Trees are planted on:

• City properties
• Parks and green spaces
• Boulevards
• Medians
• City off-sets
  
  

Mulch
Mulch is any material, organic or inorganic, applied to the soil surface in a layer around a tree about 7.5 to 10 cm deep.
Mulch has many benefits:

• It reduces surface moisture evaporation;
• It creates a physical barrier that prevents weed growth;
• It prevents wind and water erosion of soil;
• It reduces soil compaction and prevents mud or rain splash on tree trunks;
• It can prevent damage from lawnmowers and string trimmers;
• In the spring, a layer of mulch lessens plant damage caused by alternating freezing and thawing conditions; and
• In summer, mulch can cool the soil which promotes growth.

Trees should have a large mulched area that extends past the tree's root system. The mulch area should extend out as far as the tree is tall. Leave a “mulch –free” area 3 cm around your tree's trunk to discourage small rodents from chewing on the lower bark.

A mulch pile is located:
  beside the YUFC Clubhouse between Gladstone Avenue South and Street (beside Yorkdale School). 

Tree WormsFall Cankerworm

Cankerworms
Both the spring and fall cankerworm are about 2.5 cm long when fully grown. They range in color from light green to brownish green with a dark stripe down the back.
Cankerworms leave small holes in the new leaves. As the cankerworm larvae eats, the holes become larger until only the leaf veins remain. During high populations, cankerworms can also completely strip trees of their leaves.
To prevent adult cankerworms, use a product like Tanglefoot to band your trees before larval cankerworms become an issue. Banding should be done by mid-March for spring cankerworms and by mid-September (or before the first frost) for fall cankerworms. Encourage neighbours to band their trees too, as cankerworms can travel on their silken threads. Remove the band by the end of June to prevent bark rot.

Forest Tent CaterpillarsForest Tent Caterpillars
The adults are tan coloured moths, with two thin dark, parallel oblique lines or one single, broad, dark band crossing the middle of the front wings.
The mature larvae are 45-55mm long and are bluish to brownish in colour with diamond-shaped white spots on the middle of the back of each segment. It has two thin prominent broken yellow lines that extend along each side of its hairy body.
Forest tent caterpillar larvae feed initially on the opening buds, later consuming parts of or whole leaves of broad-leaved deciduous trees and shrubs. During high populations, forest tent caterpillars can completely strip trees and will then feed on the understory shrubs and other vegetation.
To control forest tent caterpillars on smaller trees and shrubs, prune or remove the egg masses in fall or early spring when leaves are absent. After hatching, you can prune or squash young larvae resting on the main stem, especially in the evening or cooler nights.

  Healthy trees should grow back their leaves 2-3 weeks after defoliation, or by early July depending on the year. However, their growth is slower and they are less able to fight potential new diseases and other insect attacks.

The City of Yorkton has a tree worm control program in place. In early spring, and at the first sighting of tree worms, the Parks Division begins preparations for the spraying of City owned trees. The initial spraying uses a product called Dipel, which contains the active ingredient BTK. This product must be ingested by the worm, and is sprayed onto the leaves of the tree while the larvae are feeding. In years of heavy infestation, a second spraying may be required. In the case of a second application a product called Pounce is used, which contains the active ingredient permethrin. This is a contact insecticide and starts working on the worms immediately. The City does not spray trees on private property.

Aphids
Aphids are small, pear-shaped insects, around 2m.m. in length, usually pale green but can be various colours. Aphids attack different plants, common on trees like American elm and Manitoba maple in Yorkton's urban forest. 

While their damage usually doesn't harm plant health, it can impact leaf shape and size. Aphids produce honeydew, a sticky substance that may stick to sidewalks and vehicles.

Generally, aphids don't always need insecticides. Some insecticides are available for aphid control; follow the label instructions. Ladybird beetles (ladybugs) can also be used to control aphids in certain situations.