Trees

If you are removing trees from your ​property that are not part of a woodlot or woodland (for example, a single tree on your property), you do not require a permit and do not need to notify the Township. However, it is strongly recommended to keep your tree if it is in good health and is not a safety risk.

If your tree is part of a woodlot or woodland, you must acquire a permit from the Region of York to remove any trees. Please contact Access York at 1-877-464-9675 and ask for York Region Forestry at  for more information before performing any work.

You are not allowed to remove or prune trees on municipally owned property, which includes parks, road allowances or any other land owned by the municipality.

​When a tree is dead, dying, decayed, or considered a danger, trees must be trimmed and pruned to a safe maintained state or cut down in accordance with the Clean Yards By-law​.

If the branches are overhanging onto your property, you may trim back those branches to your property line, provided you take the necessary precautions when pruning a tree and do not cause the tree to die.   

It is a preferred action that you advise the tree owner (neighbour) prior to trimming.

Similar to overhanging tree branches, you are entitled to trim the tree roots of the neighbouring tree to the property line provided you take the necessary precautions when pruning a tree and do not cause the tree to die. 

It is preferred that you communicate with the tree owner (neighbour) prior to trimming. 

Any tree that has the base/trunk on both properties is considered to be common property between you and your neighbour; meaning both you and your neighbour co-own the tree. These trees are known as boundary trees and are regulated under the Ontario Forestry Act​. Both neighbours must agree on the maintenance of the tree, and any removal or injury to the tree without the consent of the owner is considered an offence under the Act. ​

The International Society of Arboriculture

The International Society of Aboriculture - Ontario Chapter 

TreesAreGood.Org​ - Information website run and maintained by the International Society of Aboriculture