Principle

Protect and expand St. Albert’s urban forest and tree canopy.

Photo: Chantelle Malo

The urban forest consists of all vegetation within the City’s boundary, including trees, shrubs, and grasses. The tree canopy refers to the uppermost layer in a forest, formed by the crowns of the trees within the urban forest. St. Albert’s urban forest reinforces the city’s strong green character and provides many benefits to the city. These benefits include improved community health and well-being, cleaner air, more shade, and healthier wildlife habitats. The following policies protect and expand St. Albert’s urban forest and tree canopy so that residents and visitors can continue to enjoy this cherished asset.
 

Policies

5.4.1.

Incorporate existing tree stands into parks, other public open spaces, and private amenity spaces, where feasible and appropriate.
 

5.4.2.

Encourage the protection and maintenance of existing private mature trees.
 

5.4.3.

Promote tree planting on private property to support tree canopy succession and regeneration.
 

5.4.4.

Protect City trees through requirements such as tree preservation plans, hoarding, and securities.
 

5.4.5.

Require satisfactory on-site replacement planting when City tree removal is unavoidable, as deemed necessary by City Administration.
 

5.4.6.

Implement the direction of the City of St. Albert Urban Forest Management Plan, through landscaping standards and regulations for new development and redevelopment.
 

5.4.7.

Support maximum opportunity for boulevard tree planting through engineering standards and design guidelines.
 

5.4.8.

Establish and implement compensation payment in situations where City tree replacement cannot be accommodated on-site, based on a satisfactory tree valuation submitted to the City.