Tree removal work is getting underway in several Slave Lake parks and along Main Street as the Town begins a grant-funded project aimed at addressing aging and potentially hazardous trees.
The project began Sept. 15 and is expected to take three to four weeks. Work will take place at Schurter Park, Hilda Eben Park, Poplar Grove Park and along Main Street boulevards.
According to the Town, trees will only be removed where a qualified arborist recommends that removal is necessary. Once the removals are completed, new trees will be planted as part of the project.
The work is part of a larger tree-management effort by the Town. Its 2026 capital budget identifies a $120,000 Tree Planting Initiative, funded through $60,000 from reserves and $60,000 in grant funding. The project was designed to replace aging trees and trees posing potential safety hazards in parks and along boulevards.
The Town has maintained a tree inventory in its parks and street boulevards and identified approximately 30 to 35 trees that pose public safety concerns and require removal and replacement. The budget document notes that many trees have matured and their health has changed over time. It also identifies gaps in tree coverage that the Town hopes to address through new plantings.
The Town has said tree removal is already part of its regular operations, with some trees removed each year when they present safety concerns. The larger 2026 project allows the municipality to address a greater number of trees while also replacing them.
Tree maintenance takes place throughout the year.
Town parks crews handle smaller trimming and pruning as needed, while more complicated pruning and large tree removals are contracted to certified arborists. According to a May 2026 report to council, most arborist work typically takes place in the fall, partly because of provincial requirements governing when certain trees, including elms, can be trimmed.
The Town also plans its tree planting annually, with priorities based on available funding and tree availability.
Recent priorities have included aging residential areas, parks and downtown, with an emphasis on filling gaps in areas where trees have been removed.
The Town said it was also planning an updated assessment of its tree inventory in 2026.
Beyond safety, the Town’s capital planning documents identify several benefits to replacing trees, including improving the appearance of green spaces, increasing biodiversity, supporting wildlife, improving air quality and contributing to climate resilience.
Slave Lake has more than 40 acres of parks and open space, including Schurter Park, Hilda Eben Park and Poplar Grove Park.
The Town is asking residents and motorists to respect work areas and crews, follow posted signage and slow down when approaching areas where traffic control is in place. Crews will be working around parks, boulevards and roadways during the project.
The Town said the work is intended to improve the safety, health and longevity of Slave Lake’s parks and green spaces while ensuring removed trees are replaced with new plantings.
William Hetherington
Lakeside Leader