Trees

Newmarket’s urban forest of public and private trees provides many important benefits to the community, including improved air quality, storm water management, and recreation. The 2016 Urban Forestry Study [PDF/1.8MB] showed that Newmarket's trees help to:

  • Avoid more than 200,000 cubic metres of water runoff each year, a service valued at nearly $500,000.
  • Reduce erosion, improve air quality, and increase property values.
  • Reduce residential energy costs by more than $3,000,000 per year.

In Newmarket, removing trees on private property may require a permit. View the private tree removal page for more information. 

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Tree protection

Newmarket’s urban canopy is a valuable infrastructure asset—the replacement value of Newmarket’s trees exceeds $350,000,000.​ 

We take a full spectrum approach to tree protection and regulation, with policies and by-laws to limit the removal of trees and promote the planting of new trees.

Tree pruning program

Beginning each year in the fall, the Town's Forestry Department conducts block pruning on Town-owned trees along streets and sidewalks in preparation for the winter. This helps keep paths clear for pedestrians and for snow plowing operations. Importantly, pruning also extends the life of a tree by ensuring its optimal health.

Seasonally, the Town prunes up to 5,000 out of 33,000 boulevard trees, and the work is divided evenly among Newmarket’s seven wards. All tree pruning work will be done to the ISA Pruning Standards and best practices to ensure our trees get the best possible care.

Tree before and after pruning, set against suburban street.

When pruning, we aim to balance the crown of the tree while ensuring the space around light poles, hydro lines, fire hydrants, street signs, driveways and more.

  • Sidewalks: Trees overhanging sidewalks and walkways will be pruned up to 10ft. above the sidewalk to allow for the safe passing of pedestrians and sidewalk snow plows.
  • Roads: Trees overhanging roads will be pruned up to 15ft. above the road to allow for the safe passage of trucks, garbage trucks and snow plows.
  • Driveway and Lawns: Trees overhanging driveways and lawns will be pruned up to 8ft. above the driveway/lawn so people can travel safely underneath the tree’s canopy during tasks such as mowing the lawn.
Illustration of tree height guidelines with cars and a person for pruning in Newmarket.

Boulevard tree care tips

If you received a new boulevard tree from the Town of Newmarket, please follow these tree care tips.

  • Remember to keep tree soil moist but not soaked. Overwatering a tree can damage its health. It is important to check the moistness of the tree's soil below the surface, not at the surface.
  • Apply 90 litres (20 gallons) of water once every two weeks for clay sites and once a week on sandy sites. Continue to water your tree until mid-fall—once temperatures begin to drop, less watering will be required.
  • Mulch can be very beneficial for trees as it maintains moisture, reduces compaction, and helps improve soil conditions. However, mulch that is applied improperly can cause the tree to die.
  • Apply mulch wide, not deep. A five to ten centimetre (two to four inch) layer is ideal. Too much mulch can cause problems with oxygen and moisture levels. Keep mulch away from the trunk of the tree to avoid trunk rotting.

Trees we plant

Newmarket is located in the Lake Simcoe watershed, in a region characterized by a mixture of broad leaf and coniferous trees, such as eastern white pine, red oak, sugar maple, red pine, white ash, American beech, and eastern white cedar.

The southwest region of Newmarket also includes 382ha of the Oak Ridges Moraine. While we are north of the Carolinian forest zone, some species representative of that zone such as American sycamore and black walnut can be found here.

Below you’ll find information on the trees that are commonly planted along municipal boulevards by our Parks & Property Services arborists.

Newmarket's Urban Forestry Management Plan

In 2019, the Town of Newmarket established an Urban Forestry Management Plan. The plan outlines the long-term management strategy for the care and maintenance of all trees in Newmarket over the next 20 years, setting a clear path for the growth of the Town's tree canopy. It presents current and best urban forestry practices and opportunities for Newmarket to do more. Topics include:

  • Urban Forest Tree Inventory
  • Tree Maintenance Plan
  • Tree Establishment and Planting Plan
  • Tree Protection
  • Invasive Species & Noxious Weeds Management Plan
  • Outreach and Public Engagement Plan

View the Plan [PDF/3.8MB]

Residential subsidized tree planting program

Plant a tree for less with LEAF! LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) is a non-profit organization that provides tree planting services for homeowners as well as do-it-yourself support. Newmarket will cover $100 towards the purchase price of one tree per property per year as part of our Stormwater Rebate Program.

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