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# Urban Forest and Tree Care
Sooke's landscape is shaped by forests - both within our neighbourhoods and throughout the broader region. Trees contribute to clean air, wildlife habitat, shade, and natural beauty, while also helping our community adapt to climate change.
The District cares for trees on public lands and supports residents in caring for the many trees found on private property. A healthy, resilient urban forest depends on shared stewardship.
Tree care also plays an important role in FireSmart practices, helping reduce wildfire risk in our forested and rural-suburban environment.
Learn About Tree Care
Use the sections below to explore how the District cares for public trees and how you can help maintain healthy, resilient trees on your property. Topics include care tips, FireSmart practices, recommended species, and fruit tree management.
Caring for Public Trees
The District maintains trees located on municipal property, including:
* Parks and public green spaces
* Boulevard trees along roadways
* Trees around civic buildings and facilities
Care includes pruning for safety, removal of hazardous trees, and planting new trees where appropriate.
Reporting a concern about a public tree
Let us know if you notice:
* A fallen or leaning public tree
* Broken or hanging branches creating a safety hazard
* Trees damaged after storms
* Roots impacting sidewalks or roadways
Public tree concerns can be reported through the District's service request system.
Tree Care Tips for Private Property
Most of Sooke's tree canopy is on private land. Proper care helps keep trees healthy--and can reduce wildfire risks around your home.
Planting the right tree in the right place
Consider:
* Full size at maturity
* Suitability to soil, sun, and moisture
* Distance from buildings and structures
* Location relative to powerlines
* Native and climate-resilient species
Routine maintenance
* Water young trees regularly for the first 2-3 years.
* Add mulch around the base to protect roots and retain moisture.
* Avoid piling soil or mulch against the trunk.
* Prune dead or damaged branches, ideally during dormant seasons.
* Hire a certified arborist for large or complex work.
Integrating FireSmart Into Tree Care
Living in a forested community means wildfire preparedness includes thoughtful vegetation management. FireSmart principles help reduce the risk of wildfire spreading to homes while still maintaining a healthy tree canopy.
FireSmart landscaping practices
* Maintain 1-1.5 metres of non-combustible space around your home (bare soil, gravel, rock).
* Keep shrubs, trees, and wood debris tidy and well spaced in the 1.5-10 metre zone.
* Prune tree branches up to 2 metres from the ground (ladder fuels).
* Remove fallen branches, needles, or combustible debris close to buildings.
* Avoid planting highly flammable species near structures.
FireSmart tree considerations
Trees can remain part of the landscape with mindful care:
* Keep trees at least 10 metres from structures where possible.
* Maintain healthy, well-watered trees--stressed or dead trees increase risk.
* Consider spacing evergreens farther apart, as they ignite more easily.
* Limb up coniferous trees to reduce fire spread through lower branches.
* Choose deciduous species (such as maples) closer to homes--they're naturally less flammable.
Homeowner FireSmart support
The FireSmart program provides homeowner tools, assessments, and checklists to help residents reduce risk. Call Sooke Fire Rescue Services at 250-642-5422 to book a free home and property assessment. Learn more about FireSmart at firesmartbc.ca.
Native and Climate-Resilient Tree Species
Choosing species suited to local conditions supports healthy growth and reduces maintenance needs.
Native species include:
* Douglas-fir
* Western redcedar
* Bigleaf maple
* Arbutus (site dependent)
* Red alder
* Shore pine
These species support local wildlife and adapt well to our environment.
Fruit Trees
Fruit trees are common in Sooke and can support household and community food security. However, they can also attract wildlife, if not properly maintained. Responsible care helps keep wildlife wild and supports a healthier, safer community.
**Tips for managing fruit trees:**
* Pick ripe fruit promptly and clean up fallen fruit.
* Prune trees regularly to keep them healthy and manageable.
* Choose varieties you can harvest each year.
* Consider sharing excess fruit with local gleaning or food security groups.
**Wildlife attractant awareness:**
Unmanaged fruit trees can draw wildlife into neighbourhoods. Keeping trees maintained and harvested helps prevent conflict and protects both residents and animals. Local programs and volunteers, such as the Sooke Region Food CHI fruit tree gleaning initiative, may be able to help manage your tree. Volunteers pick fruit in collaboration with the tree owner, sharing harvests between personal and community use and donating surplus to the local food bank.
**FireSmart note:**
Well-maintained fruit trees can be a low-risk vegetation choice and fit well within FireSmart landscaping when kept pruned, watered, and free of debris.
Get Involved
Residents can help care for Sooke's natural environment by:
* Participating in community planting events
* Joining local stream, shoreline, or habitat restoration efforts
* Learning and applying FireSmart practices at home
* Choosing native plants and trees
* Connecting with or joining a local organization involved in environmental stewardship, food security, or community gardening - explore groups on the District's Community Resources, Clubs and Organizations page
Together, we can support a healthy tree canopy and a safer, more resilient community.
Contact Us
District of Sooke
2205 Otter Point Road
Sooke, BC V9Z 1J2
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am - 4:30pm
Phone: 250-642-1634
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