Street Tree Planting Program

After locations are determined, staff prepare planting plans and select tree species to meet the unique street character and site-specific context of each neighbourhood. In each area, several functional and aesthetic factors are considered, including:

• Street context – spacing, strategic siting and tree canopy density to ensure the best fit for neighbouring residents
• Street character – selecting species that enhance the character of an area by complementing existing vegetation and buildings
• Site constraints – above and below ground utilities, soil volume, intersection sightlines and clearance for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles
• Environmental conditions – light, moisture, drainage, pollutant exposure
• Impacts of climate change – species selection, disease potential, and ongoing maintenance requirements

Street trees are planted in the fall while the trees are dormant. This limits disturbances to the trees and gives them an extra growing season before the stress of summer. The combination of cooler temperatures and fall rain allows the trees to establish their roots, making it easier to adjust to extreme heat or drought in the summer.

In late spring, City staff install and regularly fill a watering bag on the trees, which provides a slow release of water. Residents are encouraged to assist in watering the trees by filling the bag with water twice a week. Together, we can help ensure the trees’ survival through their first few years.

Trees are living assets that play a critical role in a healthy and sustainable city. The urban forest supports the community by reducing stormwater run-off, filtering air pollution, providing shade and temperature regulation (reducing the urban heat island effect), stabilizing soil, and capturing and storing carbon.

The urban forest also beautifies our community, connects people with nature, creates a sense of place, and improves mental and physical well-being, as well as promotes urban biodiversity by providing food and shelter for wildlife.

Grand Boulevard Area – Sutherland Avenue
Planting Area: 1800 Block of Sutherland Avenue, east side of Sutherland and north side of E 18th Street, adjacent Sutherland Secondary School property and fronting 1804 Sutherland Ave residence

Tree selection for this area consists of large, environmentally high-value conifers where space permits in rear boulevards and small drought tolerant showy trees in the front boulevard or where space is constrained. 

Central Lonsdale Area – 18th Street
Planting Area: 200 Block of E 18th Street, along north side of E 18th, and east side of St. Georges, front and rear boulevards 

Tree selection for this area consists of a diverse selection of large trees with stunning fall colour focusing on large canopies for shade where space permits. In between these will be smaller tree species that support pollinators and native fauna.

Lower Lonsdale Area – Keith Road
Planting Area: 200 Block of E Keith Road, north side of Keith Road, rear boulevard 

Tree selection for this area consists of large, environmentally high-value species that take advantage of the wide back boulevards. A mix of stately conifers and deciduous trees with fall colour will complement the fall colour of the existing maples adjacent Victoria Park.

Lower Lonsdale Area – 3rd Street
Planting Area: 122 East 3rd St, front boulevard, north side of 3rd St

Tree selection for this area consists of multiple species of small drought tolerant trees, power line friendly with a rounded shape and seasonal interest, to replace failed trees in existing tree grates.

Mahon Area – Larson Road
Planting Area: Larson Road Multi-Use-Path Capital Project: 2029 Larson, 2033 Larson, 2117 Larson, 500 W 21st St, and Larson Park frontage

Species selection for this area consists of small power line friendly trees in front of residences. Fronting Larson Park will be tall deciduous species with a varying hues of spectacular fall colour that complements the native species currently planted in the park.

Mahon Area – Forbes Avenue
Planting Area: 466/462 W 14th frontage, along Forbes Ave and W 14th St, and SW corner frontage of 465 15th St W.

Tree selection for this area consists of large coniferous and large canopied deciduous trees with stunning fall colour and fauna supporting qualities chosen for this new development site with an oversized front boulevard.

Moodyville Area – 3rd Street
Planting Area: 615 E 3rd St, south side of E 3rd, front and rear boulevards adjacent multi-use path

Tree selection for this area consists of narrow conifers with architectural interest and upright deciduous trees with fall colour that match existing trees, in-filling sparse areas while maintaining clearance for the adjacent multi-use path.

Moodyville Area – 7th Street
Planting Area: 500 Block of E 7th Street, between Ridgeway Ave and Moody Ave, north and south sides of street, with the majority of trees to be installed in the rear boulevard.

Tree selection for this area consists of a diverse selection of trees with beautiful fall colour and pollinator and fauna supporting characteristics, focusing on large canopies for shade where space permits and smaller canopies where power lines or space constraints occur.

Four areas of the City received street trees in 2022.

Central Lonsdale Area
Planting Area: 100 block of 18th Street between Chesterfield & St. Georges, 200 block West 16th Street between Mahon & Chesterfield on the north side, and Chesterfield between 16th & 17th Street on the west side.

High traffic, high density area. Increased canopy cover will have a positive effect on pedestrians, south-facing small businesses and residents in older low-rise buildings that lack central air conditioning. The existing trees along 18th are diverse and varied; the Living City planting plan complements this with a varied assortment of drought-tolerant deciduous trees, and large canopies where space allows. Several will be located in the back boulevard. 

Mahon Park & Jones Avenue
Planting Area: West side of Jones Avenue between West 16th Street & West 17th Street and at West 20th Street. South end of parking lot on the northeast corner of Jones Avenue & West 18th Street. Several locations within Mahon Park.

Opportunity to provide increased shade via larger tree canopies for pedestrians and cyclists using Green Necklace Greenway and Mahon Park. Highly drought-tolerant trees have been chosen to replace some of the failed trees in the front boulevards along the Green Necklace. Opportunity to add native conifers with high ecosystem service value. Prioritizing conifers in this area will help address the impact of looper moth, which has severely reduced the number of conifers in the city.

St. Georges Ave between 10th & 12th Street
Planting Area: Several locations on both east and west sides of St Georges. North side of East 11th Street, near corner of East 11th Street & St Georges Avenue.

Replacing failing boulevard trees and infilling gaps between existing street trees, providing increased shade for pedestrians and residential houses, and creating separation from a busier street. Powerline-friendly smaller trees with light and airy yet full canopies have been chosen for the west side, and a larger version of the same species chosen to complement them on the east side.

Esplanade and Low Level Road between St. Andrews Ave & St. Patricks Ave
Planting Area: Several centre boulevard locations between East Esplanade & Low Level Road. Embankment on north side of Low Level Road, west of St Patricks Avenue.

This is a particularly hot south-facing area where many existing trees have died. There is an opportunity to replace them with more climate-adapted species to provide shade for Spirit Trail users and create separation from traffic on Low Level Road. Large canopies are favoured where space allows, to provide places of respite. 

Four separate areas of the City will receive street trees in 2021:

Mackay Avenue Greenway Connector

This boulevard bioswale tree planting will enhance habitat for the adjacent forest to the west and create an enjoyable experience for pedestrians and cyclists as they move along the greenway between Marine Drive and the Spirit Trail at West 1st Avenue. To be completed in fall / winter.  Proposed tree species:

• Douglas Hawthorn
• Vine Maple
• Red Cascade Mountain Ash
• Red Elderberry
• Blue Elderberry
• Sitka Willow
• River Birch
• Sitka Spruce
• Douglas Fir
 

Queensbury Elementary (North and East Boulevard)

This tree planting will complement the recent sidewalk project that has provided new accessible routes to school in this neighbourhood. Tree species will enhance habitat and help link existing natural areas of Kealy woods and Greenwood Park. To be completed in fall / winter. Proposed tree species:

• Hawthorn
• Vine Maple
• Mountain Ash
• Acer truncatum x platinoides ‘Ruby Sunset’
• Emerald Queen Norway Maple
• Douglas Fir
 

1200 Block of St Andrews (west and east sides)

To complement the St Andrews Safety Improvement Project, species have been carefully selected and sited to reflect both the needs of pedestrians and privacy concerns from adjacent neighbours. To be completed in fall / winter. Proposed tree species:

• Gingko Tree
• Paper Bark Maple
• Snow Cone Snowbell Tree
• Starlight Dogwood

Note: Due to capacity limitations, the remainder of St Andrews (i.e. between East 12th and East Keith Road) will be planted in the 2022 planting season.

Chesterfield Avenue (west side – between West 1st and West 2nd Streets)

These trees will compliment the recent sidewalk upgrade project, providing an enhanced experience for pedestrians and people living in the adjacent strata building. To be completed in late winter / Early Spring of 2021. Proposed tree species:

• Ruby Sunset Maple
• Summer Sprite Linden
• Purple leaved Plum

The Living City Tree Planting Program will be installing an exciting variety of new street trees along boulevards at these locations throughout the City:

• 200 block of West 26th Street in the north boulevard
• 200-300 blocks of West 16th Street
• East 19th Street between Queensbury Ave and Boulevard Crescent (at the top of Grand Boulevard Park)
• 1100-1200 blocks of Ridgeway Ave
• 100 block of East 4th Street in the north boulevard

Below are two other locations included during this program:

• Replacement tree planting along the 400 and 500 blocks of East Keith Road
• Planting in Semisch Park (to compliment recent park upgrades).

The City of North Vancouver is a leader in sustainable development, and the urban forest plays a key role in its sustainable future. The Living City Tree Planting Program, including this project, aligns with the objectives of the CNV Council Strategic Plan by "accelerating the expansion of the urban tree canopy" within the City. The program follows the CNV Street Tree Master Plan's guiding principal to plant more street trees (with a target of a fully stocked condition within 50-60 years) and to increase the long-term sustainability of the urban forest assets.

Depending on availability the following tree species were selected for the 2020 Living City Tree Planting Program:

• Acer campestre ‘Red Shine’
• Acer x freemanii 'Jeffesred' 
• Acer ginnala 'Flame' 
• Acer ginnala 'Ruby Slippers'
• Acer plantinoides 'Emerald Queen'
• Acer tataricum ‘Hot Wings’ Cercidiphyllum Japonicum ‘Red Fox’
• Cornus x 'Rutgan'
• Crataegus x lavallei
• Crataegus crus-galli
• Ginkgo biloba 
• Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Inermis’
• Gymnocladus dioicus ‘Expresso’
• Liriodendron tulipifera 
• Parrotia persica ‘Vanessa’
• Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’
• Pseudotsuga menziesii 
• Quercus coccinea
• Quercus garryana 
• Robinia Pseudoacacia 'Frisia'
• Styrax japonicus ‘Snowcone’
• Styphnolobium japonicum
• Quercus conccinea
• Ulmus americana ‘Brandon’
• Zelkova serrata ‘Green Vase’

More info on City tree species.

The trees selected have many seasonal ornamental features:

• Attractive spring flowers
• Interesting fall fruit
• Stunning leaf colour changes
• Striking bark
• Unique branch structure in the winter

2019 Tree Planting

The Living City Planting Program planted an exciting variety of tree species on the 300 and 400 blocks of West 14th Street. The trees selected have many seasonal ornamental features such as attractive spring flowers, interesting fall fruit, stunning leaf colour changes, striking bark, and unique branch structure in the winter.

The following tree species were selected: Acer x Freemanii, Acer Truncatum x Platanoides, Cercidiphyllum Japonicum, Crataegus x lavallei, Linkgo Biloba, Gleditsia Tricanthos Inermis, Gymnocladus Dioica, Prunus Serrulata, Quercus Conccinea, Ulmus Americana, Zelkova Serrata. More info on City tree species.

2018 Tree Planting

Approximately 55 trees were planted in the 300 Block West 4^th Street and 400 Block West 6^th St. Various species of trees were selected based on the planting location and in line with best management practices for urban planting. The trees also have ornamental features which include spring flowers, fall fruit and/or leaf colour, interesting bark, and a unique branch structure. Cobblestone Oak and Black Tupelo trees were planted on the south side of West 4th Street and Persian Ironwood alternating with Amanogawa Cherry Trees on the north side of West 6th Street. These trees are approved by BC Hydro for planting under overhead power lines, as their canopy height at maturity will minimize any conflicts with the utility lines.  All tree locations also took into account sightlines at corners for vehicles and pedestrians, clearance of regulatory signs and a buffer around lamp standards and utility poles.

2017 Tree Planting

Approximately 36 trees were planted on East 2nd Street since it was identified as a suitable site for the Living City Tree Planting program. The street currently lacks street trees, the street connects several prominent open spaces and local parks, and is a popular walking route for local residents and school kids. Tree Species selected for the street because of the narrow boulevard that included Hedge Maple (Acer campestre)and Japanaese Snowbell (Styrax japonica).

2016 Tree Planting

Approximately 40 trees were planted on St. George’s and several of the side streets approaching St. George’s. This street was identified as a suitable site for the Living City Tree Planting program because it currently lacks street trees, the street connects several prominent open spaces and local parks and is a popular walking route for local residents and school kids. It is also a busy street and the addition of trees will mitigate the sound and pollution from vehicles. Columnar trees were selected for one side of the street because of the narrow boulevard. Tree species included Lavelle Hawthorn Crataegus x lavallei, Crimson Spire Oak Quercus robur x Q.alba ‘Crimschmidt’, ‘Japanese Tree Lilac Syringa reticulate

2015 Tree Planting

Approximately 40 trees were planted on 4 blocks of E.9th street. This street was identified as a suitable site for the Living City Tree Planting program because it currently lacks street trees, the street connects several prominent open spaces and local parks and is a popular walking route for local residents and school kids. On the south side of the 400 block is the local elementary school (Ridgeway Community School). Additionally, East 9th intersects several current and future greenways and bike routes. Tree species included 15 Street Keeper’ Gleditsia Gleditisia triacanthos , 20 Korean Dogwood Cornus kousa, 15 Hedge Maple Acer campestre, and 25 Lavelle’s Hawthorne Crataegus x lavallei.

2014 Tree Planting

City of North Vancouver staff planted 62 trees on the 200, 300, and 400 blocks of West 15th between the end of February and beginning of March 2014. The trees selected were Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry Amelanchier and Golden Desert Ash Fraxinus excelsior ‘Golden Desert’ .  These species were reviewed and approved by BC Hydro as appropriate trees for planting under power lines. City crews utilized a Vactor Truck to excavate precisely located and sized holes and installed root barrier at each tree.