The Building Division regulates the alteration and removal of trees on private property under the authority of the Tree Protection Bylaw. For information on trees growing on City property (including street or boulevard trees) please visit the Parks Department's Street and Boulevard Tree Information page.

Tree Protection Bylaw Inspection Permits Gallery F.A.Q Tree Care Tips Links

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Trees and Landscaping Section has a team of dedicated certified arborists and landscape architects that administers a Tree Protection Bylaw that is both fair to the community and stringent in fulfilling the promise of protecting the urban forest.

The benefits of a healthy urban forest are many:

• Trees sequester carbon – Taking carbon out of the air/environment and storing it inside the tree.  Conversely, every time a tree is removed this same carbon is released back into the environment.
• Trees clean the air – Tree leaves attract dust particles and pollutants out of the air and are washed down on to the ground when it rains.
• Trees provide shade – On hot days, trees provide shade that cools the urban environment.
• Trees provide wildlife habitat – Trees in the neighbourhood can act as sanctuaries or corridors for birds and small animals to find refuge and can provide a link between other larger treed sites such as parks or woodlands.
• Trees provide economic values – From raising property values, to reducing air conditioning costs, to even reducing crime.
• Trees provide soil stabilization – Tree roots keep soils from eroding on slopes and uneven ground.
• Trees reduce water runoff – For most of the year, trees will take up water from the ground thereby allowing the soils to soak up more rain water and reducing runoff.  A large oak for example can respire over 400 gallons of water a day.  In extreme rainfall the leaves and branches break up the raindrops, which alleviate soil compaction and allow better water infiltration into the soil.
• Trees can decrease the cost of repair and upgrade to the City’s storm water drainage system – By reducing the amount of rain water that rushes immediately into the storm drains, the wear-and tear on the drainage system is reduced and its life increased.