Tree Removal in Winnipeg: Busting Common Myths About Urban Forestry

Winnipeg’s urban forest is one of the largest in Canada, with 3 million trees—towering elms and lush green spaces that define the city’s landscape. But when it comes to tree removal, there are plenty of assumptions and long-held beliefs that don’t always reflect the bigger picture. Some people see it as an environmental threat, while others believe that diseased trees can always be saved or that leaving a stump behind won’t cause problems.

The reality? Tree removal plays a crucial role in maintaining Winnipeg’s urban forest. From preventing the spread of diseases like Dutch elm disease to ensuring public safety and making room for healthy new growth, strategic tree removal is a key part of responsible urban forestry.

In this blog, our ISA-certified arborists are busting some of the biggest myths about tree removal in Winnipeg, explaining why it’s sometimes necessary and how the city’s forestry programs work to keep our urban canopy thriving. Let’s set the record straight!

Myth 1: Cutting Down Trees Harms the Environment

It’s easy to assume that removing a tree is bad for the environment. We’ve all been taught that lesson: trees are good; they absorb carbon dioxide, provide oxygen, and support local wildlife. That being said, tree removal isn’t about destroying green spaces; in fact, it’s the opposite.

By allowing room for new growth and healthier trees, responsible urban forestry keeps the canopy greener, safer, and more resilient. Winnipeg’s urban forest is carefully managed by the City to remove hazardous, diseased, or overcrowded trees to promote healthier growth.

For instance, older trees near the end of their lifespan may pose safety risks or outcompete younger trees that have a better chance of thriving.

Also, the city follows a planned tree renewal strategy, meaning that for every tree removed, new trees are planted in its place. This is to ensure that Winnipeg’s urban landscape remains green, with a diverse range of species that are better suited to withstand climate changes, pests, and disease.

Myth 2: Diseased Trees Can Always Be Saved

You’d like to think that with the proper treatment, any diseased tree can be nursed back to health. We get it, and we wish it were true. Unfortunately, it’s not.

While some infections can be managed, others, like Dutch elm disease (DED) and severe fungal infections, spread so aggressively that removal is the only option to protect surrounding trees.

Dutch elm disease, for example, has devastated Winnipeg’s tree population for decades. Once a tree is infected, the fungus clogs its vascular system, preventing water and nutrients from reaching the branches. No treatment can fully reverse the damage, and keeping an infected tree standing only increases the risk of spreading the disease to healthy elms nearby. (maybe add something about a preventative injection? That’s something we could do before the tree is infected!)

Beyond DED, other tree diseases, like black knots in cherry trees or severe root rot, can weaken a tree to the point where it becomes a safety hazard. A diseased tree with brittle limbs or a failing root system is at risk of falling, endangering homes, pedestrians, and infrastructure.

To prevent outbreaks, Winnipeg’s urban forestry programs follow proactive removal strategies, ensuring that infected trees are responsibly disposed of to stop further spread.

Myth 3: Tree Stumps Don’t Get Infested

After a tree is removed, some people assume that leaving the stump behind is harmless. After all, it’s not a living tree anymore, right? Wrong. In urban forestry, tree stumps can quickly become a breeding ground for pests, fungi, and disease, creating problems for the surrounding landscape.

Decaying stumps attract wood-boring insects like carpenter ants, termites, and beetles, which can then spread to healthy trees or even nearby buildings. We’ve also mentioned the threat of DED in Winnipeg, and removing infected stumps is crucial to preventing the disease from lingering in the soil and affecting new plantings.

Fungi and rot also spread through decaying wood, making a leftover stump a potential source of infection for the rest of the urban canopy. Certain fungal species, like honey fungus, can use old stumps as a launchpad to attack nearby tree roots, weakening otherwise healthy trees.

And that’s not all. Stumps can become safety hazards in public spaces. They create tripping risks in parks and sidewalks and interfere with new plantings or landscaping efforts. Stands to reason that Winnipeg’s forestry teams prioritize stump grinding and removal in urban areas, ensuring that removed trees don’t become future problems.

Myth 4: Controlled Burns and Tree Removal Pollute the Air

It’s an understandable worry that when trees are removed through controlled burns, it negatively impacts air quality in urban areas. While it’s true that burning organic material releases smoke, controlled burns and responsible disposal methods are actually an important part of urban forestry management and don’t contribute to long-term pollution when done correctly.

Controlled burns are used to clear out dead trees, invasive species, or excess underbrush that could otherwise fuel wildfires. With proper oversight, controlled burns help reduce fire hazards and promote healthy regrowth. The City uses these practices strategically, ensuring that the burns are small, short-term, and conducted in a way that minimizes air quality concerns.

Additionally, many removed trees aren’t burned at all. Instead, they’re repurposed into mulch, compost, or lumber to benefit the environment in other ways. Tree removal doesn’t mean waste, and professional arborists work to ensure that every removed tree is put to good use when possible.

Myth 5: Trees Only Need to Be Removed After Storm Damage

Many people believe tree removal is only necessary after a major storm when trees have been snapped in half or knocked over by high winds. While storm damage is a common reason for removal, it’s far from the only one. In urban forestry, tree removal is seen as a proactive strategy to prevent hazards and protect the health of Winnipeg’s urban canopy.

Not all tree issues are visible to the untrained eye. A tree may look perfectly fine but may have internal decay, a weakened root system, or pest infestations that make it unstable. Trees with significant structural issues can fall unexpectedly, posing serious risks to homes, pedestrians, vehicles, and power lines. Similarly, diseased trees might still be standing, but they are a threat to nearby healthy trees.

Removing unhealthy trees helps create a more climate-resilient and diverse urban canopy that benefits year-round and not just after storms.

Why Tree Removal May Be Essential for Winnipeg’s Urban Safety

• Trees with internal decay, weak root systems, or structural instability can fall unexpectedly, posing risks to homes, pedestrians, and infrastructure.
• Overgrown or leaning trees near power lines, traffic routes, and sidewalks can cause outages, block roadways, or become hazardous in storms.
• Overgrown trees near intersections, driveways, and crosswalks can obstruct sightlines, increasing the risk of accidents.
• Some trees have aggressive root systems that can crack sidewalks, damage underground pipes, and disrupt roadways, leading to costly repairs.
• Large trees planted too close to buildings can compromise foundations over time, leading to structural issues and water drainage problems.
• Removing infected trees helps prevent the rapid spread of disease and tree-killing pathogens in urban spaces.
• Dead or dying trees increase wildfire risks, especially in dry, windy conditions, making removal a proactive safety measure.
• Clearing out damaged, overcrowded, or invasive trees improves the health of surrounding vegetation and ensures parks, trails, and green spaces remain accessible and safe.
• Strategic removals make space for diverse, climate-adapted tree species, reducing risks tied to monoculture planting.
• Removing weak or compromised trees minimizes storm damage, preventing costly emergency removals and property damage.

Keeping Winnipeg’s Urban Canopy Safe & Strong

A well-managed urban forest benefits everyone—and keeping trees safe, healthy, and thriving requires expert care. Proactive tree care ensures long-term sustainability, which sometimes means tree removal.

Our ISA-certified arborists specialize in municipal tree care and removals, providing tailored solutions for Winnipeg, Red Deer, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, and Saskatoon.

If your city or community needs professional tree management, contact us today for expert assessments and responsible removals. Let’s keep our urban forests safe, strong, and built to last.