Tree Removal in Vancouver: What Homeowners Need to Know

Tree Removal in Vancouver: What Homeowners Need to Know

A tree comes down fast. The decision to remove one does not.

If you have a tree that is dead, leaning, or crowding your house, you may be wondering what to do next. This guide covers everything Vancouver homeowners need to know — from city permits to what to ask an arborist.

Vancouver's Tree Bylaw — What You Need to Know

Vancouver has strict rules about removing trees. You can face a fine of up to $100,000 for removing a protected tree without a permit.

Protected trees in Vancouver

The City of Vancouver protects trees that are:

• 20 cm or more in diameter at chest height (DBH)
• Listed as heritage trees
• Located in a special landscape area

When you need a permit

You must apply for a tree removal permit if your tree meets the size threshold above. The city requires:

1. A completed permit application
2. An arborist report from an ISA-certified arborist
3. A site plan showing the tree location

Permit decisions take 10 to 30 business days. An arborist report speeds this up by showing the city why removal is necessary.

When you do not need a permit

Permits are not required for:

• Trees smaller than 20 cm DBH
• Trees the city confirms are dead
• Emergency removal of a tree posing immediate danger (you must notify the city within 24 hours)

Not sure where your tree stands? We provide free assessments and can handle the permit process for you.

How Tree Removal Works — Step by Step

Most homeowners have never watched a tree come down up close. Here is what to expect.

1. Assessment and permit (1–4 weeks) We assess the tree, write the arborist report, and submit the permit application if needed. For non-permit trees, we can often book within a few days.

2. Site prep (morning of) We protect your lawn, garden beds, and nearby structures. We set up a drop zone and confirm the rigging plan.

3. Sectional removal For most city lots, we remove trees in sections from the top down. This is safer and prevents damage to fences and neighbouring plants. Large sections are lowered with ropes.

4. Stump grinding We grind the stump 15–30 cm below grade. This allows you to re-plant, lay sod, or pave over the area.

5. Cleanup We chip the brush and haul everything away. You are left with a clean yard.

Most residential removals take half a day. A large tree on a tight lot may take a full day.

Neighbourhoods We Serve

Aesthetic Tree works across Greater Vancouver, including:

• Kitsilano and Point Grey — Large maples and cherries on older lots
• East Vancouver and Grandview-Woodland — Mixed canopy, tight access
• Shaughnessy and Dunbar — Heritage properties with protected trees
• North Vancouver and West Vancouver — Douglas fir, cedar, and slope work
• Burnaby and New Westminster — City and municipal permit experience
• Richmond and Delta — Soft-soil roots, cottonwood, and willow removal
• Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam — Residential and strata work

Common Questions

Can I remove a tree myself in Vancouver? You can remove a tree under 20 cm DBH without a permit. For anything larger, you need a permit and a certified arborist report. Cutting a protected tree without a permit risks a fine up to $100,000.

How long does a Vancouver tree permit take? Typically 10 to 30 business days. Emergency hazard situations may be expedited. Having a complete arborist report ready when you apply helps avoid delays.

My neighbour's tree is hanging over my yard. Who is responsible? You have the right to trim branches up to your property line. For the roots or trunk, removal requires the tree owner's consent. If the tree is a hazard, document it in writing and contact us — an arborist letter can help resolve disputes.

Will my stump regrow? Some species (like cherry, maple, and poplar) can send up new shoots from a ground-level stump. Grinding 15–30 cm below grade prevents most regrowth. We can treat stumps with a growth inhibitor if needed.

Does Aesthetic Tree replant? Yes. City of Vancouver permits often require replacement planting. We can source and plant an appropriate replacement tree as part of the project.

Written by the Aesthetic Tree arborist team. Our ISA-certified arborists serve Greater Vancouver and hold the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). We are members of the ISA BC/Yukon Chapter and the BC Landscape & Nursery Association.