Keeping London's title as the 'Forest City' will come with a massive price tag.
Next week, councillors will debate strategies to increase the city's tree cover that will cost between $26 and $56 million.
The city's forester says the city's inventory of trees is at a critical juncture.
"Failing to invest in trees now will cost future generations the health and quality of life benefits of being Canada's Forest City," says Ivan Listar, Manager of Urban Forestry.
"If we don't look at the policies and practices right now, our urban forest tree canopy will continue to decline," he adds.
Earlier this year council rejected city staff's first attempt at an urban forest strategy, saying it wasn't aggressive enough with its tree canopy targets.
Currently London has 23 per cent tree cover -- a new urban forest strategy outlines three targets for council to choose from.
Increasing canopy to 25 per cent by 2035 and 32 per cent by 2065 will cost $16.1 million over the next 20 years.
A more aggressive target would further boost those figures by three and two per cent respectively, but at a cost of $37.7 million.
The most aggressive plan would see 30 to 40 per cent tree cover, but cost almost $56 million over the next two decades.
Other southern Ontario cities that have set tree canopy targets are already spending a whole lot more than we are here in the Forest City.
Hamilton spends $10 million a year, Toronto $55 million and London just $4.3 million annually.
Listar adds that increasing canopy cover isn't just about planting more trees.
Some cities require homeowners to get a permit to cut down large trees on private property - and developers must spare large trees when building.
The urban forest strategy - if approved - will take many approaches.
"We'll have to plant more trees, we'll have to maintain them better. Our policies with regard to protecting trees will have to be strengthened," Listar says.
Councillors will debate the issue Tuesday.
