Urban Forestry in Quebec

Urban forestry history

In 1977, the ISA Quebec chapter was founded. In 1979, the International Urban Forestry Symposium was held at Laval University (Quebec City) and gathered professionals and tree experts from around the world and those from Quebec involved in arboriculture and in urban forestry. During the same year, the first urban forestry consulting firm was founded. It led to the establishment of a few similar firms, in addition to the existing tree-service companies.

Since 1980, a curriculum in Urban forestry, for adults, is offered at a Forestry Technical College (evening classes). Courses of this program can also be given in other colleges in Quebec. Training courses are also sponsored by the Federal Employment Department and by private firms.

Ministry of the Environment of Quebec

Since 1980, the Ministry of the Environment has assumed a certain leadership in urban forestry by providing diverse technical assistance to better manage tree resources in cities. Assistance has been given for wooded area inventories, protection of parks or wooded areas, citizen-group actions and efforts to protect trees, and other projects related to trees.

Many documents were produced on urban forestry topics such as: tree problems in the Quebec region, incidence and control of Dutch elm disease, protection of trees during construction, inventory of wooded areas, tree bylaws and legislation, tree resources management, and others.

For my Master’s degree, in 1984, I conducted a survey of the 36 municipalities located in the most densely populated areas of the Montreal region. Nowhere was there a formal urban forestry program; however, in larger municipalities and in those with more qualified personnel, there were more positive tree resources management activities.

The main constraint evident in the overall analysis of the survey results was a lack of information on and understanding of tree planning and management. The optimal strategy calls for a clear commitment of all those concerned (municipal, regional and provincial government and citizen groups) toward the promotion and establishment of systematic urban forestry program at the municipal level.

In 1985, I was hired by the Ministry of the Environment to design an urban forestry handbook to assist the municipalities in the development of sound tree resources management programs. Detailed information is presented on tree inventory, tree management plans, tree bylaws and legislation, financing and promotion means, technical assistance and information sources, etc.

This handbook written in French (like almost all the other documents published on urban forestry in Quebec) was launched during an official ceremony with the Ministry of the Environment, last May. The handbook is given free of charge to municipalities and sold by the ISA Quebec chapter to others involved in urban forestry.

A structured assistance program for municipalities and citizen groups (tree commissions) is offered by the Ministry. I will be working full time on that program for the coming year. Training seminars will be given to municipalities who will commit themselves to establish tree commissions and to develop urban forestry programs. Our office will also represent a clearing house information center on urban forestry and arboriculture matters.

ISA Quebec Chapter

The Ministry of the Environment recognizes the great achievements of the ISA Quebec chapter during recent years. With its 140 members, the ISA Quebec chapter has accomplished a lot to promote better arboriculture practices and urban forestry programs.

The translation of the “Guide for Establishing the Value of Trees and Other Plants” has been undertaken. Many members have cooperated in the writing of standards in arboriculture (tree planting and maintenance, nursery and security standards) published by the Office of Norms and Standards (governmental office). These standards are not mandatory; they can be requested in bids.

Gold leaf awards have been given to municipalities that have developed good urban forestry programs or activities such as Quebec, Montreal, St-Laurent, Trois-Rivieres, Sherbrooke, Lac St-Charles (involvement of a citizen group in the latter).

Quebec City has established an excellent systematic urban forestry program based on a computerized inventory. All work is done under contract. A Dutch elm disease control program assures the survival of elm trees and even allows the municipality to plant new elm trees. This program is unique in Quebec. Besides Quebec City, only a few other municipalities have made the effort to inventory and save their elms.

The association also plans activities during tree week, such as conferences and tree plantings.

The publication of a newsletter every three months also provides for up-to-date information on the status of urban forestry in Quebec and the new developments and up-coming events.

The last achievement, but not the least, in the establishment of a “Big Tree Program”, in cooperation with the Quebec Forestry Association (similar to the one sponsored by the American Forestry Association).

Conclusion

As you can see, urban forestry plays an important role in Quebec, and also has a great future ahead. The Ministry of the Environment has officially committed itself to urban forestry and even the Ministry of Energy and Resources is planning to do the same. The arboriculture firms are improving their activities and more trained people and expertise are available to municipalities and citizens, for the benefit of trees.

More and more municipalities, through urban forestry programs adapted to their needs, are improving and will improve tree resources management in urban areas. Challenges still exist and better planning and cooperation between governments (provincial and municipal), citizen groups, professionals, builders and others are needed.

Solutions should be found to diversify means of financing urban forestry programs, to protect remnant wooded areas and individual trees, to improve arboriculture practices, tree planting, tree production and survival, and to strengthen citizen and political support for urban forestry.