As nature’s lungs, Mississauga’s trees and forests are breathing life into our city

Trees and forests have shaped Mississauga’s landscape for thousands of years. Trees are nature’s infrastructure. Just as roads, bridges and traffic lights are vital to cities, so too are trees critical for our environment. The above and below-ground sections of trees represent intricate ecosystems that play a vital role in our daily lives.

Some trees provide much-needed shade from the summer heat, others act as ‘bridges and bustling roadways’ for wildlife, and some produce food like fruits, seeds, nuts, and syrup for us to enjoy.

As summer will soon transition to fall, residents are encouraged to get outside and enjoy being active, socialize near and under trees to boost physical and mental well-being, and help care for trees in our city.

Enriching biodiversity

Mississauga’s natural heritage system and urban forest are vital green spaces that support the environment and people’s well-being. From dense woodlands and vibrant meadows to wetlands and individual street trees, they form a dynamic ecosystem that have sustained many generations and enriched biodiversity.

Mississauga is home to 2.1 million trees representing more than 300 species. Trees play a key role in many significant ways such as providing habitat for birds and wildlife, offering shade and regulating temperatures, improving the air quality, controlling floods by slowing down water flow, and serving as a peaceful space for people to enjoy.

Tender loving care for trees

Taking good care of our trees and forests is a shared responsibility. The City’s award-winning Forestry team consisting of arborists, ecologists and foresters tend to the City’s trees, forests, and natural areas. They carried out around 17,400 tree maintenance requests in 2024, and so far in 2025, they have completed 10,287 maintenance work orders for tree pruning, removal and stump removal.

Arborists are highly-skilled professionals who use climbing systems, aerial devices, diagnostic tools and mechanized equipment to monitor, assess and address tree health issues. Foresters manage larger tree areas to plan and protect the urban forest, while arborists focus on individual trees, inspecting for hazards and pruning trees and removing tree stumps.

Ecologists help prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of our woodlands, wetlands and grasslands. They advise on initiatives such as restoration, naturalization, and managing invasive species. For example, City of Mississauga was the first municipality in Ontario to deploy goats for prescribed grazing to manage invasive plant species. So far this year, the goats have helped remove buckthorn, phragmites and reed canary grass which are non-native invasive species that threaten local biodiversity.

Residents can also do their part to help by taking care of public and private trees. Learn about caring for trees, including how to water new trees, how much to mulch, and how to prepare your yard for every season.

If City-owned trees on the City boulevard of a residential or commercial property are overgrown and obstructing driveway access or causing other safety risks, fill out the online form on mississauga.ca/trees or call 311. Pruning requests can also be made for trees located in a park, intersection or high-traffic area, and if they pose a safety risk. Dead or unhealthy City-owned trees in your neighbourhood can also be reported to the City requesting a removal.

Taking strides towards our one-million-trees goal

Trees are at the heart of our efforts to combat climate change. The City aims to plant one million trees by 2032, and we are well on our way to do so. So far, with the support of residents, businesses, schools, volunteers and partners from across many fields, we’ve planted 602,539 trees.

Help the City reach its tree goal by planting trees and shrubs on your residential property, specifically native plants. Trees you planted recently in a City park or your private property can be added to the one million goal tally by using the online form. Become a nature steward, or organize a tree planting event at a local park by requesting the City to run it or support you in hosting it. Organizations looking for a team building activity for a good cause can book a corporate event to plant trees and help preserve our environment.  Every action matters when it comes to saving and preserving our trees.

Stay tuned for more opportunities at the upcoming National Forest Week, September 20 to 26, 2025 and join one of the many tree planting community events that are being planned.

Tags

• Climate Change
• Parks and Forestry
• Trees