Urban Forest Management Strategy

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Consultation has concluded

Trees lining a street in a residential neighbourhood

We’ve finalized the Urban Forest Management Strategy which provides a clear direction for the future management of trees in Surrey.

How you helped. 

Your input helped us understand what role you want the City to play in improving, protecting, and maintaining the health of our urban forest. It also identified ways for the broader community to help.

What is the urban forest?

It is all of the trees and other vegetation in the City, on public and private land. It includes trees in parks, on boulevards, and on private residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial property.

Trees lining a street in a residential neighbourhood

We’ve finalized the Urban Forest Management Strategy which provides a clear direction for the future management of trees in Surrey.

How you helped. 

Your input helped us understand what role you want the City to play in improving, protecting, and maintaining the health of our urban forest. It also identified ways for the broader community to help.

What is the urban forest?

It is all of the trees and other vegetation in the City, on public and private land. It includes trees in parks, on boulevards, and on private residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial property.

Stories

Tell us about your favourite tree in Surrey. Whether it's in a park, along a street or in your backyard, we'd love to hear about it.

Thank you for sharing your story with us.
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
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    Eagle nest tree in Kwomais

    by A Martin, over 2 years ago
    In our neighbourhood pocket park, Kwomais, there is a Douglas fir with a grand eagle's nest. After windstorms, the nest is a bit bedraggled but the nesting eagles have come back to it year after year. It is enchanting to watch the young eagles hop from branch to branch testing their wings while their parents squawk encouragements from the surrounding tree tops. Our grandchildren are transfixed by the nest and the inhabitants that come and go and often ask if the eagles are back yet. The tree itself is not the tallest or the most beautiful but brings beauty and... Continue reading
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    Rowan Morning Greeting

    by Kim, over 2 years ago

    Each morning, on my way to work I walk up the ramp from the concrete parkade to see a perfectly framed Rowan tree. It's an old tree, probably planted when the house that is long gone was new. This tree has four beautiful seasons. I love to watch for the new leaves sprouting and the gradual growth and development of the distinctly red berries. It has a that look of a forgotten beauty, that you stumble on unexpectedly. Seeing that tree repeat it's cycle year after year reminds me that spring will come again, summer heat will fade, delicate leaves... Continue reading

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    Stop cash for tree option for Developers

    by Sue, over 2 years ago
    Developers are allowed to cut down way more trees then allowed, then pay a relatively small fine per tree removed . This is in the plans for a row of homes near 10th and 160th- when I read the plans there was something like 30 trees removed above allowed and they just had to pay a fine. Well over 60 - 70 percent not being replaced as I recall. I realize we can keep all trees but developers need to have a better limit- eg only 20 percent can be removed. Also agree more Evergreens!
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    Whittling Away at Green Timbers

    by Wayman, over 2 years ago
    This has been going on for years, and no "strategy" for urban forest management has made any difference. Will the city ever stop saying "We're only taking a little bit" and say "We won't take any more, ever"? The unnecessary "Skytrain extension" project is just the latest example, but it won't be the last time the city "whittles away" at it, a few meters at a time.
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    Fabulous Big Trees!

    by urbanforestryguy, over 2 years ago
    Mound Farm Park has a group of the largest trees in Surrey. Although the park is not generally open to the public, these enormous old growth trees have been protected in perpetuity and for future generations to enjoy.... they are spectacular!
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    vgildenstern@shaw.ca

    by Concerned citizen, over 2 years ago
    The Public parks are beautiful. We need to be alot more aware of massive developments occuring on Hills in South Surrey. Trees are being clear cut. It's inviting flooding and doing nothing for the environmental. Our big trees need left alone.
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    Stop Mowing Trees

    by Tree lover , over 2 years ago
    Devlopers are ruining South Surrey. Acres of once verdant urban forest are now filled with houses and townhomes. The city seems to be fine with this but it is very short-sighted. If you must allow development, at least force planting of evergreens — drought-resistant varieties. Ornametal trees may please home buyers but they do nothing for the enviroment.
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    Where have all the trees gone!

    by surrey resident, over 2 years ago
    Thank you for asking for public input but it should be obvious what we need to do about trees! We need to make saving them a priority! Stop listening to people complaining about debris on their cars and in their gutters. These are inconveniences. Wake up! our world is on fire!

    I appreciate that the city of surrey has been planting Boulevard and city trees but I can see that they are all well behaved small trees that won’t inconvenience drivers and giant houses that are practically on the sidewalk.
    We need large trees that create canopy and shade and... Continue reading

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    Need more Evergreen Trees

    by Jess, over 2 years ago
    Lowe mainland is meant to be a rainforest. We are cutting too many evergreen trees and replacing with deciduous trees. Need to plant more evergreen trees. It breaks my heart to see a bunch of trees mowed down and replaced by buildings and tiny trees. Not enough is been done......

    Save the old growth and builders should sponsor planting some evergreen trees/green spaces (not the tiny trees that's a mere formality)

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    Residential Trees

    by Inder, almost 3 years ago
    Having trees in resident areas like homes is nice. There should be some flexible of being able to remove a tree if looks like it will fall down. The current standards for application are too rigid. The city will not take responsibility if a tree falls. The cost falls on to the home owner. Let home owners take down trees and replant 2-3 in its place.