Tree eligibility:
A tree must have a diameter at breast height (1.4 meters above ground) of 40 centimeters.
Applications may only be submitted for one tree per property, per year
Applications must be submitted no later than six months after the maintenance completion
The tree must be located within the Town of Ajax
Qualifying services include:
Branch pruning
Responsible pruning of branches to improve tree structure, durability, and longevity
Cabling and bracing
Various methods to physically support trees and allow wood development
All eligible maintenance work must be completed by a certified arborist, defined as qualified by any of the following institutions:
The Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
The International Society of Arboriculture
The American Society of Consulting Arborists
or a Registered Professional Forester
*Under special circumstances, the Town may grant authority to a qualified tree expert who is not an arborist if their experience is deemed appropriate for the work being completed.
The arborist invoice must include the following information:
Arborist name and/or company affiliation
Arborist license number or equivalent
Amount paid
Services and/or materials supplied
Property owner’s name (i.e. applicant)
Date of work completion
Before and After photos of the tree maintenance work (optional)

Mature trees are essential in urban areas for their environmental, social, and financial benefits; they improve air quality, absorb carbon dioxide, and support biodiversity while mitigating the risks associated with climate change and extreme weather.

Mature trees are integral components of urban communities in Ajax. Their presence enhances natural heritage while promoting mental and physical well-being for residents.

The financial benefits of mature trees offset their maintenance costs by increasing property values, reducing energy costs, and lowering stormwater management expenses, making them a strategic investment for a healthier, more sustainable town.

A tree’s ability to filter air pollution, store carbon, release oxygen, and manage stormwater is directly related to its canopy size. Unshaded urban areas can have an air temperature as much as 5° C greater than shaded areas and surfaces up to 13.9° C hotter. Maintaining mature trees for healthy and strong canopies supports environmental and community wellbeing, particularly against a warming climate.

Stormwater management is another service provided by urban trees. Large trees store stormwater from areas that otherwise cannot absorb water, preventing flooding and protecting homes.

Maintenance aimed at extending a tree’s life and prolonging its benefits can lower costs associated with energy usage, storm water management, healthcare, and infrastructure damage. Within a tree’s life cycle, the cost benefits are greatest throughout the mature phase when maintenance is present. Without maintenance, a tree’s cost benefits begin to fall between semi-maturity and maturity.

Late-stage maintenance, such as crown thinning, structural pruning, fertilization, cabling, and bracing can reduce canopy weight and humidity. In doing so, the likelihood of branch breakage is reduced, and removal costs can be deferred.

Trees have been shown to improve focus and learning, especially in children. Their presence encourages time spent outdoors, improving community involvement and physical wellbeing. Their air filtering properties also support respiratory and cardiovascular health.

Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests (LEAF*), is a non-for-profit organization helping to protect and improve Ajax’s urban forest through the delivery of a subsidized Backyard Tree Planting Program in partnership with the Town of Ajax and Ontario Power Generation.

Residential and commercial property owners in Ajax looking to plant trees on their property can receive expert tips and help for getting the right tree in the right location at a subsidized rate ranging from $150-220 per tree.

For a limited time and while supplies last, Ajax residents can receive an additional $150 rebate when they plant a LEAF tree on their property. Limit of one rebate per property per year. First come, first served. This offer applies to single family homes, multi-units and businesses.

Ajax residents participating in the Full Service Backyard Planting Program will receive:

• An site consultation in your yard with an arborist,
• A five to eight foot tall tree (two to four feet for evergreens),
• Delivery and planting service.

The full value of the service is about $500 per tree and the difference is paid by the program’s funding partners.

There is also a Do-It-Yourself version of the program, a Multi-Unit and Businesses Subsidized Planting program and native shrubs and garden kits are also available. Visit the LEAF website for details and to participate!

The Town of Ajax is supporting the Region of Durham’s goal to plant 5 million trees as part of their climate action plan. Working with our Partner Forests Ontario, private and public landowners in Ajax who meet eligibility criteria could receive tree planting subsidies for greening their property.