Trees of Mahone Bay

Trees in Mahone Bay are incredibly important- to residents, to the Town and to the economy! Trees provide so many benefits, it is crucial that the urban forest- all trees, woody plants and associated vegetation found within and around a city or urban area – are maintained and enhanced.

The Town of Mahone Bay is developing an Urban Forest Management Plan to maximize the overall health of the trees and the benefits they provide, to increase native biodiversity, and maintain a balance of net zero tree loss. The plan will be based on the following four branches:

  1. Data collection: A thriving urban forest must be monitored and managed. To understand how many trees we have, their health and age, and the services they provide, the Town is collecting information about as many trees as possible and is inputting the data into a tree inventory. This information will be used to establish and fund a cyclical pruning program for the health of street trees.

  1. Increase the canopy: As trees age and weaken, some die naturally, while others need to be taken down to protect Town and private assets. The tree inventory will be updated on an annual basis, and new trees will be planted in priority areas of town.

  1. Reduce Invasive Species: When a native tree species becomes vulnerable to attack by an invasive species, it can damage or kill the tree and the entire community of that species. For example, Hemlock trees are native to Nova Scotia forests, but an invasive insect has recently come to the province and is targeting hemlock trees. It is expected that 90% of Hemlock trees in the province will die from this insect if there are no interventions. Understanding invasive species allows the town to identify potential controls that might reduce their impact.

  1. Reduce the risk of wildfire: Mahone Bay is lucky to be surrounded by forests and ocean, but with changing weather and climate, there is a higher risk of wildfires. Using FireSmart as a guide, while maintaining a focus on increasing tree canopy, the Town and residents can reduce the risk of fire impacts to infrastructure and buildings.

For the benefit of the urban canopy, the town and residents should participate in programs and projects that help to achieve these goals.

This webpage is focused on Goal 1- data collection, and the development of the town’s tree inventory and tree map. Find out how YOU can help us learn more about trees in Mahone Bay!

Did you know that since 2022, residents and Town staff have been collecting information about private and Town-owned trees in Mahone Bay? The Tree Inventory is a way for town staff to understand the health of the urban forest in order to make decisions about funds and resources. Staff and resident can both add to the inventory to build a clear picture of the town’s urban forest each year.


You can help! To add to the Tree Inventory, click here!

Over 3,000 trees have already been added to our publicly available tree map, which includes private and municipally owned trees. This database continues to evolve by adding new trees, removing dead trees, and updating tree data. Some trees have been identified and are important or rare species in Nova Scotia, while other trees have not yet been identified:

The trees in our community are a natural asset that provide many benefits to residents and to the town. Increasing our commitment to managing our urban forest can help reduce run-off, slow coastal erosion, and reduce atmospheric carbon. It can also reduce energy costs by providing our town with shade and wind-barriers, plus the benefits of added oxygen, tourism, and even food!


Tree Planting in Mahone Bay

Mahone Bay maintains a list of locations that need trees, and hosts tree events on a municipal property every year. These locations may include parks and trails but could also include “right of ways”. A municipal right-of-way is a strip or parcel of land, owned or controlled by a municipality, that provides public access to roads, paths, and other public areas. Other examples of Right of Ways include road shoulders, ditches, and sidewalks. In this case, we are generally referring to the space between private property and the public roads. Part of a tree planting project took place during the Fall of 2025, with 36 new trees being planted in the Town right of ways. This project is being carried out with funds from the Government of Canada to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

You Can Help!

Do you have a suggestion for a tree planting on a municipal right of way, perhaps between your property and the road? Have you noticed a tree that might need to be assessed for trimming or removal? Town staff are always happy to take suggestions - check out our tree map down below or contact Lauren Clark, Climate & Energy Program Manager at climate@townofmahonebay.ca or at 902-521-4922.

Donate a Tree to the Town!

If you are interested in helping us add to our urban canopy, you can get information about our Community Asset Donation Program, and how you can donate a tree.

Trees in Mahone Bay are incredibly important- to residents, to the Town and to the economy! Trees provide so many benefits, it is crucial that the urban forest- all trees, woody plants and associated vegetation found within and around a city or urban area – are maintained and enhanced.

The Town of Mahone Bay is developing an Urban Forest Management Plan to maximize the overall health of the trees and the benefits they provide, to increase native biodiversity, and maintain a balance of net zero tree loss. The plan will be based on the following four branches:

  1. Data collection: A thriving urban forest must be monitored and managed. To understand how many trees we have, their health and age, and the services they provide, the Town is collecting information about as many trees as possible and is inputting the data into a tree inventory. This information will be used to establish and fund a cyclical pruning program for the health of street trees.

  1. Increase the canopy: As trees age and weaken, some die naturally, while others need to be taken down to protect Town and private assets. The tree inventory will be updated on an annual basis, and new trees will be planted in priority areas of town.

  1. Reduce Invasive Species: When a native tree species becomes vulnerable to attack by an invasive species, it can damage or kill the tree and the entire community of that species. For example, Hemlock trees are native to Nova Scotia forests, but an invasive insect has recently come to the province and is targeting hemlock trees. It is expected that 90% of Hemlock trees in the province will die from this insect if there are no interventions. Understanding invasive species allows the town to identify potential controls that might reduce their impact.

  1. Reduce the risk of wildfire: Mahone Bay is lucky to be surrounded by forests and ocean, but with changing weather and climate, there is a higher risk of wildfires. Using FireSmart as a guide, while maintaining a focus on increasing tree canopy, the Town and residents can reduce the risk of fire impacts to infrastructure and buildings.

For the benefit of the urban canopy, the town and residents should participate in programs and projects that help to achieve these goals.

This webpage is focused on Goal 1- data collection, and the development of the town’s tree inventory and tree map. Find out how YOU can help us learn more about trees in Mahone Bay!

Did you know that since 2022, residents and Town staff have been collecting information about private and Town-owned trees in Mahone Bay? The Tree Inventory is a way for town staff to understand the health of the urban forest in order to make decisions about funds and resources. Staff and resident can both add to the inventory to build a clear picture of the town’s urban forest each year.


You can help! To add to the Tree Inventory, click here!

Over 3,000 trees have already been added to our publicly available tree map, which includes private and municipally owned trees. This database continues to evolve by adding new trees, removing dead trees, and updating tree data. Some trees have been identified and are important or rare species in Nova Scotia, while other trees have not yet been identified:

The trees in our community are a natural asset that provide many benefits to residents and to the town. Increasing our commitment to managing our urban forest can help reduce run-off, slow coastal erosion, and reduce atmospheric carbon. It can also reduce energy costs by providing our town with shade and wind-barriers, plus the benefits of added oxygen, tourism, and even food!


Tree Planting in Mahone Bay

Mahone Bay maintains a list of locations that need trees, and hosts tree events on a municipal property every year. These locations may include parks and trails but could also include “right of ways”. A municipal right-of-way is a strip or parcel of land, owned or controlled by a municipality, that provides public access to roads, paths, and other public areas. Other examples of Right of Ways include road shoulders, ditches, and sidewalks. In this case, we are generally referring to the space between private property and the public roads. Part of a tree planting project took place during the Fall of 2025, with 36 new trees being planted in the Town right of ways. This project is being carried out with funds from the Government of Canada to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

You Can Help!

Do you have a suggestion for a tree planting on a municipal right of way, perhaps between your property and the road? Have you noticed a tree that might need to be assessed for trimming or removal? Town staff are always happy to take suggestions - check out our tree map down below or contact Lauren Clark, Climate & Energy Program Manager at climate@townofmahonebay.ca or at 902-521-4922.

Donate a Tree to the Town!

If you are interested in helping us add to our urban canopy, you can get information about our Community Asset Donation Program, and how you can donate a tree.

Page last updated: 30 Oct 2025, 01:44 PM