The City is committed to beautifying and improving the urban environment through the introduction of trees on City-owned road rights-of-way. Each year, the City undertakes a Street Tree Pruning Program.
Street trees are planted on the area of City-owned land between the property owner’s front property line and the street curb. These areas can be:
- on the boulevard (between the sidewalk and the curb).
- within a set distance from the curb, in instances where there is no sidewalk. Note this distance varies and is dependent on the individual property limits.
As such, these trees are municipal property.
Street Tree Pruning Program
Forestry staff undertake the Street Tree Pruning Program throughout each year, pruning approximately 3,500 street trees as part of maintenance requirements for clearance from streets, lights, signs, sidewalks, lawns, as well as to remove crowded branches, structurally weak branches, dead branches, etc. The primary purpose of the program is tree health and public safety.
The City contracts out the pruning of street trees within different areas.
2025 Pruning Program
A number of streets within Ward 9 were identified for planned pruning by the 2025 pruning contractor, Wes’ Tree Service. The work began at the end of January and was completed in March 2025.
If you're located outside of the above area and feel your street tree requires pruning, please email your address and photos of the concern to ServiceBarrie@barrie.ca or visit ServiceBarrie.ca and create/log in to your account (choose "Parks and Trees" and the form will walk you through the appropriate steps).
Street Tree Pruning FAQs
Did you know? Boulevard gardens are an excellent way to beautify your neighbourhood and support the ecosystem by planting native species.