Oakville sending out tree trimmers as part of regular maintenance

Oakville residents should expect to see tree trimmers out on local roads this month.

Each year, the Town of Oakville and its tree service contractor perform hydro line clearing on behalf of Oakville Hydro to reduce safety hazards and power outages, while maintaining the health, safety and well-being of the town’s tree canopy.

The 2024 hydro line clearing program will take place in areas between Burloak Dr. and Trafalgar Rd. from the QEW to Lower Base Line, and between Burloak Dr. and Fourth Line from the QEW south to Rebecca St.

Trees are pruned in each of four zones on a four-year cycle following the Electrical Safety Authority guidelines to maintain a three-metre clearance between branches and primary power lines and one metre for secondary lines.

In some situations, the town must prune trees on private property if they are growing too close to hydro lines.

As a last resort, some trees growing too close to the hydro line may need to be removed if the arborist cannot achieve the clearance standard with acceptable pruning practices.

Through the rotational tree maintenance program, the Town proactively prunes all town-owned street trees on a 10-year rotational cycle, to improve tree health and structure and provide clearance for sidewalks, roads, buildings, and traffic signs and lights.

In 2024, the rotational tree maintenance program will include two areas: between Fourth Line and Sixteen Mile Creek from the QEW south to Lakeshore Road; and between Neyagawa Blvd./Fourth Line and Preserve Dr., from Dundas St. north to Burnhamthorpe Rd.

Rotational tree pruning is performed on town trees only. In some cases, town trees are located on the municipal property bordering a homeowner’s yard which may include the house-side of the sidewalk.

Residents can attend an open house on Jan. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the south atrium at Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Rd., to speak with town staff and learn more about the programs.

You can find more information about the town’s tree pruning programs here.