- March 26, 2026 - Jardin botanique : Secrets of plants
Street trees provide numerous ecological and social benefits. However, they’re subject to several types of stress that can considerably affect their health and life expectancy: notably restricted room for growth, poor and compacted soil, pollution, intense heat, lack of water, and injuries.
Although street trees are a municipal responsibility, you can contribute to their well-being by following these practical tips.
Protecting the trunk
Avoid padlocking your bicycle to a tree, attaching objects (posters, decorations) to it or leaning anything against it. Those actions can cause injuries that provide entry points for diseases and pests. Injured trees have their longevity reduced and can even die from their wounds.
Careful with garbage bags
Don’t leave your garbage bags in tree squares: when perforated or torn, the products they contain can contaminate the soil.
Damage caused by dogs
Don’t let your dog urinate on the trunk or at the foot of a tree. Urine damages the bark and roots because of its acidity, its high concentration of urea and ammonia, and its salt content. A tree repeatedly peed on by dogs will waste away. And pick up the excrement left by your animal.
Use of the tree squares
Before gardening in a tree square, get in touch with your borough or municipality to find out what regulations apply.
Because they’re so close to the street, all sorts of contaminants can be found in the soil and on the plants. It’s therefore a good idea to avoid growing food plants and to opt instead for ornamental perennials or annuals that are able to resist the difficult conditions – shade and dryness – that are often present under a street tree. And be careful with the tree roots when planting.
Roots that need air
Avoid raising or lowering the level of the soil at the foot of trees, or compacting the soil, because roots “breathe.” Never add more than 15 centimeters of earth or compost on the roots to avoid interfering with gas exchange. Also, leave a clear area around the trunk to avoid the risk of collar rot (base of the trunk). If it’s a young tree (less than 15 centimeters in diameter), do not add earth and don’t do any planting within a radius of one meter around the trunk.
During heat waves
In periods of high heat, water the street tree located in front of your home. Do a thorough watering, roughly every 7 to 10 days, ideally early in the morning or in the early evening. At all times, respect municipal regulations on water use.
Weeding
If a new tree has been planted in front of your home, remove the weeds growing in the watering basin. That basin, consisting of mulch, must be kept for at least two years.
In case of problems
Do not prune the tree, and do not apply any product to wounds. To report a problem (hanging or broken branch, insects, disease), get in touch with your borough (3-1-1) or your municipality.
