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Our office has recently received urgent calls about a neighbor cutting down a tree without a permit. We contacted Urban Forestry to report the incidents. In some cases, there may not be immediate enforcement capacity to respond to such urgent situations.
We asked Urban Forestry what information we can include here, and here’s their response:
Trees are incredibly important to the City of Toronto! They do so much, like cleaning the air, giving us shade on hot days, and helping manage storm water. Because they are so valuable, Toronto has bylaws to protect them.
Here's what you need to know:
Protected Trees: All trees owned by the city, trees in special ravine areas, and private trees with a trunk diameter over 30 cm (about the size of a dinner plate) are protected.
Permits for Tree Work: If an owner needs to do anything that might harm a tree—like digging near its roots or storing materials close by—a permit may be required. This also applies to removing a tree. However, you don't need a permit to prune a tree as long as you do it properly. When in doubt, Urban Forestry recommends that owners check with a qualified private arborist (eg. one with International Society of Arboriculture certification, or a Registered Professional Forester).
Checking for Permits: If you see someone working on or around trees, and don’t see an Urban Forestry Permit posted at the site, you can check if they have the proper permits. If you're unsure or concerned, you can call 311 to ask questions or report any possible violations of the tree protection rules.
For more information please visit Bylaw enforcement - trees on City or private property - cutting down a tree - injuring a tree - City of Toronto.
Remember, these measures are in place to keep our city's trees healthy and thriving for everyone to enjoy!