Growing a Greener, Healthier Community
Trees are one of the most valuable investments we can make in our community.
They provide shade during summer heat, improve air quality, absorb carbon dioxide, reduce stormwater runoff, support wildlife, and enhance the beauty of our neighbourhoods. Trees also help make Bay Roberts more resilient to changing weather patterns and contribute to a healthier environment for future generations.
Whether you are planting a single tree in your yard, developing a new property, or participating in a community planting initiative, choosing the right tree and caring for it properly will help ensure it thrives for decades to come.
Environmental Benefits
Trees help:
✓ Absorb carbon dioxide and store carbon
✓ Improve air quality
✓ Reduce soil erosion
✓ Slow stormwater runoff
✓ Improve water quality
✓ Provide shelter and habitat for wildlife
✓ Support biodiversity
Community Benefits
Trees help:
✓ Beautify streets and neighbourhoods
✓ Increase property values
✓ Create more comfortable outdoor spaces
✓ Provide shade and reduce summer temperatures
✓ Enhance parks, trails, and public spaces
✓ Mature tree can provide environmental and community benefits for generations.
Trees and Climate Resilience
As our climate changes, trees play an increasingly important role in protecting communities.
Trees help reduce urban heat, absorb rainfall during heavy storms, and protect soils from erosion. Diverse tree populations are also more resilient to pests, diseases, and changing weather conditions.
Planting a variety of species throughout Bay Roberts helps build a stronger and more resilient urban forest.
Right Tree, Right Place
Selecting the right tree for the right location is one of the most important factors in long-term success.
Before planting, consider:
Available Space
Choose a species that will fit the site at maturity.
Avoid planting large trees:
- Beneath power lines
- Too close to buildings
- Near underground infrastructure
Soil Conditions
Consider whether the site is:
- Dry
- Moist
- Well-drained
- Exposed to wind
- Coastal
Sunlight
Most trees perform best in full sun, although some species tolerate partial shade.
Future Growth
Remember that today’s sapling may become a large mature tree. Allow adequate room for both roots and canopy development.
Building a Greener Bay Roberts
Every tree planted today contributes to a healthier, more resilient community tomorrow.
By selecting appropriate species, planting responsibly, and caring for trees properly, residents can help expand Bay Roberts’ urban forest, improve biodiversity, and create a greener future for generations to come.
Memorial Trees in Bay Roberts
The Town of Bay Roberts is proud to offer a Memorial Tree Program that allows residents to honour loved ones while contributing to the community’s urban forest.
Memorial trees provide a lasting tribute while enhancing parks, trails, and public spaces for future generations.
For information about participating in the Memorial Tree Program, please contact the Town Office or fill out the application form here.
Recommended Trees for Bay Roberts
The following species are widely available, well-suited to local growing conditions, and provide environmental benefits for the community.
Shade Trees:
Red Maple
Acer rubrum
White Birch
Betula papyrifera
Trembling Aspen
Populus tremuloides
Chestnut
Castanea spp.
Small Trees for Residential Lots
Serviceberry
Amelanchier spp.
Mountain Ash
Sorbus americana
Hawthorn
Crataegus spp.
Trees for Pollinators
Crabapple
Malus spp.
Apple
Malus domestica
Cherry
Prunus spp.
Evergreens
White Spruce
Picea glauca
Balsam Fir
Abies balsamea
Tamarack (Eastern Larch)
Larix laricina
How to Plant a Tree
Step 1: Dig the Right Hole
The planting hole should be:
- Two to three times wider than the root ball
- No deeper than the root ball itself
Step 2: Locate the Root Flare
The point where the trunk widens into the root system should remain visible above ground level.
Planting too deeply is one of the most common causes of tree failure.
Step 3: Backfill Carefully
Use the original soil removed from the planting hole.
Avoid excessive soil amendments.
Step 4: Water Thoroughly
Water deeply immediately after planting.
Step 5: Mulch Properly
Apply 5-8 cm of mulch around the base of the tree.
Keep mulch away from direct contact with the trunk.
Caring for Young Trees
Newly planted trees require regular watering during their first two growing seasons.
During dry periods:
- Water deeply once or twice per week
- Avoid shallow daily watering
- Monitor soil moisture regularly
Healthy root development during the first few years is critical to long-term success.
The Bay Roberts Urban Forest
When most people hear the term “forest,” they think of large wooded areas outside town. An urban forest is different.
The Bay Roberts Urban Forest includes every tree growing throughout our community, including those found in parks, trails, neighbourhoods, school grounds, businesses, natural areas, and private properties.
Together, these trees form a living network that provides environmental, social, and economic benefits to residents every day.
Urban forests help cool our communities during warm weather, improve air quality, reduce stormwater runoff, provide habitat for wildlife, and make our streets and public spaces more attractive and enjoyable. Research has also shown that access to trees and green spaces can contribute positively to physical and mental well-being.
As Bay Roberts continues to grow, maintaining and expanding our urban forest will become increasingly important. Thoughtful tree planting today helps ensure future generations inherit a greener, healthier, and more resilient community.
Every tree contributes to the urban forest. Whether planted through a community initiative, the Memorial Tree Program, a new development, or in a resident’s backyard, each tree becomes part of a larger effort to strengthen the environmental health and beauty of Bay Roberts.
By working together to plant, protect, and care for trees, we can continue building an urban forest that benefits our community for generations to come.
Our vision is to expand and diversify the Bay Roberts Urban Forest through responsible planting, stewardship, and community involvement, ensuring that every neighbourhood benefits from the environmental, social, and economic value of trees.