More than 7,000 street trees have been planted since Halifax Regional Council approved the Urban Forest Master Plan in 2012

NEWS RELEASE

HALIFAX REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY

*************************

The municipality’s annual tree planting program is officially underway. This summer, over 1,300 trees will be planted in Cole Harbour, Forest Hills, Westphal, Lower Sackville, Dartmouth, Eastern Passage, Bedford and peninsular Halifax.

Halifax Regional Council approved the Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP) in 2012. Since then, more than 7,000 street trees have been planted.

The municipality’s urban forest consists of all trees within the urban core, including street trees, park trees, and trees on private and public lands. The goal of the plan is to ensure a sustainable future for our urban forest and to create awareness about the many benefits that we all gain from the trees in our neighbourhoods.

Nineteen hardy tree species have been selected. In years to come, these trees will beautify the neighbourhoods and grow to form a protective canopy cover.

Monitoring crews will continue to visit neighbourhoods to evaluate the condition of the new street trees, noting any diseased or dead trees that require attention under the replacement warranty provided by our tree planting contractors. In the meantime, residents can report street tree damage by calling 311.

For more information on the UFMP, visit the website at www.halifax.ca/trees

*************************