A Guide To

Tree Protection

burlington.ca/forestprotection
7061029544
Contents
List of Figures and Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

01 Why do we protect trees? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

1.1 Trees help us

02 What rules protect trees in Burlington? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2.1 Federal, Provincial and Regional tree rules to be aware of
2.2 City tree policies
2.3 Tree by-laws in Burlington

03 Which trees do Burlington’s tree by-laws protect? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

3.1 How to measure tree diameter

04 When do or don’t I need a tree permit? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

4.1 What about when emergency tree work is needed?
4.2 What if my tree is high-risk, terminal or dead?
4.3 What about my neighbour’s tree(s)?

05 How can I work around trees without injuring them? . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

5.1 Give trees their own zone
5.2 Don’t forget about the root zone
5.3 How do I identify the Tree Protection Zone (TPZ)?
5.4 What about tree protection fencing?
5.5 What if the TPZ cannot be fully protected?
5.6 What about overhanging branches?
5.7 What about Public Trees?

06 What do I need for my private tree by-law permit application? . . . 14

6.1 What documents do I need?
6.2 When do I need an Arborist Report?
6.3 What is included in an Arborist Report?
6.4 What is a Tree Protection Plan?
6.5 What is a Tree Replacement Plan?

Key technical terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

List of Figures and Tables
Figure 1 - The benefits of trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Figure 2a-2f - How to measure trunk diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Figure 3a-3b - TPZ in an open and built-up landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Figure 4 - Understanding soils and tree injury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Figure 5 - Keep the Tree Protection Zone clear and the fencing maintained . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Figure 6 - Example of a Tree Protection Plan for a new pool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Figure 7 - Example of a Tree Protection Plan for an addition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Figure 8 - Example of a Tree Replanting Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Figure 9 - Replacement tree size upon planting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Table 1 - How to calculate the minimum Tree Protection Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Table 2 - How to calculate tree replacements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Table 3 - Examples of tree species for replanting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Introduction
The purpose of this guide is to help individuals navigate the City’s Private Tree By-law and to
provide general information about tree protection.
The terms, process or requirements identified in this guide do not replace those laid out in the
Private Tree By-law. This guide uses plain language to help individuals understand it and its
requirements and does not replace technical advice that can be provided by a qualified tree
professional which may be required to support a tree permit application.
Note: Text shown in bold indicates terms that are defined in the Key Technical Terms at the
end of this guide.

Permit Applications
Permit applications under the City’s Private Tree By-law are to be completed online. Property
owners may submit applications. However, in some cases it may be helpful to have a qualified
tree professional help with the tree assessment and some aspects of the permit process.

Acknowledgments
Illustrations for this guide were developed by Scott Mooney. Text was developed by Grounded
Solutions Services Ltd. and the City of Burlington.

For More Information

Visit the City’s Forest Protection & Tree Permits webpage at burlington.ca/forestprotection,
call 905-335-7777 or email [email protected] with a specific question or concern.

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 01 | Why do we protect trees?

1.1 Trees help us

All trees in the City and the soils that support them are called the “urban forest”.
The trees that make up the urban forest provide many valuable benefits, see Figure 1 below:
1. provides wildlife habitat 7. provides a sense of place
2. purifies the air 8. increases property value
3. captures carbon 9. creates energy savings in buildings by
4. cools and moderates the urban heat shading in summer and letting sunlight
island effect through in winter
5. prolongs life of asphalt by shading it 10. improves mental health and wellness
6. intercepts and absorbs rainfall
This is why the City is committed to protecting, maintaining and planting trees on its properties,
and why the City asks the community to do the same.

Figure 1 — The benefits of trees.

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02 | What rules protect trees in Burlington?

The community values trees in Burlington, • the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act,
particularly mature trees, and the many which protects nests while they are being
services they provide. To protect their value, used by migratory birds to breed and raise
there are policies, regulations and by-laws that their young.
have been put in place to make sure that tree
protection and replacement are considered. 2.2 City tree policies
• there are federal, provincial and regional The City’s Official Plan includes policies that
regulations that apply to trees in guide land use planning across the city. Section
Burlington. The ones that need to be 4.3 of the City’s Official Plan includes policies
considered by property owners most often that require the protection, maintenance and
are described in Section 2.1; enhancement of the urban forest as part of any
• in Burlington, trees must be considered active planning application on private lands.
during the planning process following the
City’s Official Plan policies described in The City’s Tree Protection and Canopy
Section 2.2; Enhancement Policy supports tree protection,
• the City also has two by-laws that apply maintenance, and canopy enhancement
to trees when projects are undertaken practices across the city. This policy includes
that might injure or remove (referred to as a goal of achieving a tree cover target of 35
“destroy” in the by-laws) trees which are percent across the city by 2041.
described in Section 2.3;
2.3 Tree by-laws in Burlington
2.1 Federal, Provincial and Regional The City’s Private Tree By-law applies
tree rules to be aware of to trees on private lands in the City’s
Urban Planning Area Boundary (outside
The regulations related to trees that
of woodlands of at least 0.5 ha, which are
property owners typically need to consider in
covered by the Region’s Tree By-law, as
Burlington include:
noted in Section 2.1). The City’s Public Tree
• the Region of Halton’s Tree By-law, which
By-law applies to all public trees on lands
applies to the destruction or injury of trees
across the City at all times.
on private lands in woodlands of at least 0.5
hectares and in the Regional Greenlands; In this guide, trees protected under the City’s
• the provincial Forestry Act, which discusses Public Tree By-law or Private Tree By-law are
boundary (shared) trees along property called “regulated trees”.
lines;
• the Ontario Heritage Act, which protects This document includes tips on what to do
trees on designated heritage properties when a property owner wants to remove or
and landscapes; injure trees regulated by the City’s Private
• the provincial Endangered Species Act Tree By-law.
which protects trees and tree habitat of
species listed as Endangered or Threatened
in Ontario; and

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 03 | Which trees do Burlington’s
tree by-laws protect?

There are two City by-laws that apply to trees: complete a project on their private property
• the City’s Public Tree By-law applies to that is expected to injure a tree. (For
trees of all sizes on City lands throughout projects subject to the planning process,
Burlington, at all times; the injury and removal of private trees will
• the Private Tree By-law applies to trees be reviewed as part of that process e.g., site
with a diameter at breast height (DBH) plan.)
of 20 cm or greater on private lands in the
City’s Urban Planning Area Boundary (see As noted in Section 2, the Private Tree By-law
Section 3.1 on how to measure DBH). This does not apply to trees in woodlands of at
by-law applies where someone is looking to least 0.5 ha (which are covered by the Region’s
remove a tree from their private property, or Tree By-law).

3.1 How to measure tree diameter

Follow figures 2a through to 2f below and on the next page for instructions and tips on how to
measure tree diameter at breast height.

1.37m
1.37m

Figure 2a — How to locate “breast height”: measure Figure 2b — How to measure trunk diameter:
1.37 m from the base of the trunk of the tree up the First measure the tree trunk's circumference (all
tree’s trunk. the way around the tree) at breast height. You
can use string, rope, a tailor's tape or a metal
measuring tape to do this; all will work. Once you
have the tree's circumference at breast height,
divide that number by 3.14 to get the diameter. For
example, a 69 cm circumference divided by 3.14 is
22 cm diameter at breast height (DBH).

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 DBH
DBH

1.37m
1.37m

Figure 2c — Where to measure DBH when the tree Figure 2d — Where to measure DBH when the tree
grows straight. is leaning.

b c d
a e
DBH DB
7m H
1.37m (note height taken) 1.3

Figure 2e — Where to measure DBH when the tree Figure 2f — Where to measure DBH when the tree
forks at 1.37 m. has multiple stems. In this example, DBH of a
multi-stem tree is √(a2+b2+c2+d2+e2).
If a=20, b=10, c=15, d=25, and e=22, then the
DBH = √(202+102+152+252+222)= 43 cm.

Remember all trees on City property are regulated no matter their

size. You can use the above instructions to measure these trees.

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04 | When do or don’t I need a tree permit?

In most cases, you will need a permit under the When a Private Tree By-law permit is
City’s Private Tree By-law if you want to injure required, but typical fees and tree
or remove a regulated tree on your property.
replacement requirements are waived
You may also require a permit under As confirmed by a qualified tree professional,
the City’s Private Tree By-law if you are when injuring, destroying or removing on
proposing a project that will involve working private lands any of the following:
within a neighbour’s tree's minimum Tree • a tree that is 100% dead
Protection Zone (see Section 5 and Table 1). • a tree that has a terminal condition
• a high-risk tree
In addition, activities on private property that
might cause the injury or removal of a City When a Private Tree By-law permit
tree will require a permit under the City’s
is not required
Public Tree By-law.
When injuring, destroying or removing on
When a Private Tree By-law permit private lands any of the following trees:
is required • less than 20 cm DBH;
• in a nursery or orchard;
When injuring, destroying or removing on
• classified as invasive (under the Ontario
private lands any of the following:
Invasive Species Act and/or Ontario Weed
• a tree of 20 cm DBH or greater;
Control Act);
• a designated heritage tree;
• tree maintenance (e.g., pruning) using good
• a tree that is listed as an Endangered or
arboricultural practices.
Threatened tree species in Ontario;
• replacement trees planted as part of a In addition to the above list, there are
condition of a tree permit. other cases where a permit is not required
as summarized in Section 6.1 of the
City's Private Tree By-law. Many of these
exemptions are from other regulations that
supersede (or trump) the Private Tree By-law,
and therefore the City is not authorized to
require a permit.

Review the City’s Private Tree By-law for specific definitions, permit
requirements and permit exemptions.

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4.1 What about when emergency High-risk trees can be especially tricky
tree work is needed? to assess because they are structurally
compromised to the point where they
Emergency tree work may be required when are likely to fail but not immediately.
a tree is in active failure, such as a tree As a result, this assessment must be
toppling over a garage after being severely confirmed by a qualified tree professional
damaged by a windstorm. with a specialized Tree Risk Assessment
Qualification (also known as TRAQ) using a
Emergency tree work on private property
Basic Risk Assessment form.
can occur without a permit. However, you are
to notify the City within 72 hours of the work 4.3 What about my neighbour’s
being undertaken and provide proof through
tree(s)?
photographs and/or an arborist report that
shows that the work was urgently needed. If a project on your property is expected to
injure or remove a regulated tree on your
To notify the City, call 905-335-7777 or
neighbour’s property, you must apply for
email [email protected].
a permit and have their signed consent to
4.2 What if my tree is high-risk, do so (see Section 6). This applies whether
(a) that tree is shared with your neighbour
terminal or dead? and grows across the property line (i.e., a
A permit is required to remove trees that boundary tree) or (b) if it is not a shared tree
are high-risk, have a terminal condition or but your project work will occur within the
are dead. TPZ of your neighbour’s regulated tree and
might injure their tree.
These types of tree conditions can be hard
for an untrained person to assess. For this
reason, the City requires the property owner
to obtain written confirmation from a qualified
tree professional but waives the typical fees
and tree replacement requirements. When
you make an application for any of these
exemptions, please submit photographs
and the assessment from the qualified tree
professional to support your application.

If you are concerned about a high-risk tree on a neighbour’s property

it may be a property standards issue. Contact the Municipal By-law
Enforcement Department at [email protected] or call 905-335-7777.

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 05 | How can I work around trees
without injuring them?

Wherever and whenever a project — large or The TPZ is a zone created around a tree to
small — is planned near one or more protect the tree trunk, branches, soil and
regulated tree(s), it is important to consider roots from machines and equipment, and
trees and ask: Can I do the project differently other construction-related disturbances.
to protect the regulated tree(s)? If trees must Where work is proposed inside this zone,
be injured (where work must occur within a tree permit may be required.
the TPZ) or removed, how can I protect the
remaining trees and replace the canopy lost? 5.2 Don’t forget about the root zone
Injury to a tree tends to occur when any Although sometimes ignored, roots and soil are
construction activities happen close to the critical to a tree’s health and survival and can
tree or over its roots without any protective easily be injured during construction. It's much
measures in place. Typical construction easier to prevent tree injury than to fix it!
activities that can injure trees, directly or Larger roots give trees structural support to
indirectly, include: help them survive windstorms, while fine roots
• the movement and operation of small and absorb water and nutrients to sustain them.
large machinery;
• trenching soil and subsoil excavation; Soil compaction is the most common cause of
• storage of fill, soil, building materials, below-ground injury to trees. Healthy soils
equipment and construction waste; and, have a structure with air pockets that gives
• demolition, grading and building. space to the many organisms that keep the
soil healthy.
Tree injury often occurs when appropriate
protection around the tree is not installed or When weight is placed on the ground, it causes
maintained, and/or when branches or roots compaction, which squeezes the air spaces
are trimmed back improperly. However, tree out of the soil. Once the soil is compacted,
injury can generally be avoided with above- it is hard for fine roots to get what the tree
and below-ground protection as described in needs from the soil to remain healthy such
this section, and use of good arboricultural as air and water (see Figure 4).
practices when pruning branches and roots. The TPZ may not protect all of a tree’s
roots but is meant to protect the bulk of
5.1 Give trees their own zone
them. While extensive damage to a tree’s
The main way to protect a regulated tree rooting area may not result in an immediate
from injury during construction is to make response, it can contribute to serious decline
sure that: over several years. It is also hard to undo
1. a proper Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) is the impact from compaction and it is much
identified, and; better to take measures to avoid or limit it in
2. tree protection fencing (also called the first place.
vertical hoarding) is securely installed to
protect this zone (see Figures 3a and 3b
located on the next page).

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 23cm, DBH 23cm, DBH
41cm, DBH
2.4m 2.4m 2.4m 1.2m 1.2m
2.4m 1.7m 1.3m 1.2m 1.8m
2.4m

3.0m

Figure 3a — TPZ in an open Figure 3b — TPZ in a built-up landscape: tree protection fencing
landscape: tree protection fencing extends up to existing pavement, which also counts as tree
surrounds the entire TPZ. protection within the TPZ.

Protected Not Protected

No Soil Compaction Soil Compaction

A closer look at healthy soil: A closer look at compacted soil:

About half of the volume of The major loss of space for roots
soil is open space for roots to to access air, water and nutrients
access air, water and nutrients. can lead to disease and death.

Figure 4 — Understanding soils and tree injury. The numbers on the figure refer to: 1) Die-back over several
years because of root loss due to lack of water and nutrients; 2) Weight of temporary pile of material;
3) Weight of machinery.

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5.3 How Do I Identify the Tree Details about acceptable TPZ materials and
Protection Zone (TPZ)? installation methods can be found in the
City’s Tree Protection Specification (found at
The TPZ is measured from outside the base burlington.ca/forestprotection).
of the tree trunk. The distance measured
from the trunk varies depending on the Ideally, the tree protection fencing can be
tree’s diameter, as shown in Table 1 below. outside of the identified TPZ on all sides of
Generally, the zone required expands with the the tree (see Figure 3a). However, in practice,
DBH of the tree, and ranges from 1.8 m from it does not make sense to include paved
the trunk of a smaller tree to 6.0 m or larger areas such as existing sidewalks, driveways,
for trees with a DBH of 100 cm or greater. patios and/or decks. In these cases, the TPZ
should exclude these areas (see Figure 3b).
Trunk Diameter Minimum Tree The demarcated TPZ should be a “no go”
(DBH) Protection Zone (TPZ) zone for all construction activities. It is a
Less than 10 cm 1.8 m (5' 11") reminder to those working on site to keep all
11 to 40 cm 2.4 m (7' 10") equipment and supplies away from the tree
and its main rooting area. Tree protection
41 to 50 cm 3.0 m (9' 10")
fencing must stay up throughout your project.
51 to 60 cm 3.6 m (11' 10") You must contact City Forestry Staff before
61 to 70 cm 4.2 m (13' 9") you take down the tree protection fencing.
71 to 80 cm 4.8 m (15' 9")
5.5 What if the TPZ cannot be fully
81 to 90 cm 5.4 m (17' 9")
protected?
91 to 100 cm 6.0 m (19' 8")
Greater than 100 cm 6.0 m (19' 8") + 10 cm (4") In some cases, it may not be possible to
per 1 cm DBH complete your project without working
inside the TPZ, at least on a partial and/or
Table 1 — How to calculate the minimum Tree temporary basis (e.g., to provide machine
Protection Zone. access into and out of a narrow lot).
Where you must work inside the TPZ, alternate
5.4 What about tree protection tree protection measures are needed to
fencing? prevent impacts to the tree in consultation
with City Forestry Staff.
Having machines moving back and forth
close to trees greatly increases the risk of Ground protection (horizontal hoarding)
injury to the trunk, branches and roots. is often recommended. This consists of a
Having fill or building supplies piled up landscaping fabric laid over the anticipated
against a tree trunk can also harm the tree disturbance zone and covered with a thick
and its rooting area. layer of mulch and plywood or steel plates
laid on top. This allows people and machinery
To prevent tree injury, the TPZ should be to move through this zone while limiting soil
clearly demarcated with securely installed compaction.
fencing (vertical hoarding). For example,
snow fencing fastened securely to stakes can Other measures (such as use of hand tools,
make an effective tree protection fence. vertical hoarding closer to the tree trunk and
air-spading with proper root pruning) may
also be appropriate.

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Figure 5 — Keep the Tree Protection Zone clear and the fencing maintained. The numbers on the figure refer
to: 1) If pruning is required after fencing is erected, pruning must be done by a qualified tree professional;
2) No dumping of materials; 3) No material or equipment storage; 4) No fill or temporary storage;
5) Fencing must be maintained throughout the entire time of project construction; 6) No dumping of
materials or machine access within TPZ.

5.6 What about overhanging 5.7 What about public trees?

branches? Please note the maintenance of City trees
Basic tree maintenance, like pruning, can be such as pruning can only be done by City
done without a permit when using good Forestry Staff or their contractors. If your
arboricultural practices. If you are unsure, project will be adjacent to City trees, you
consult with a qualified tree professional must discuss this with City Forestry Staff to
before maintaining private trees. confirm the project can proceed. If approved,
there will be certain requirements to follow
such as hiring a qualified tree professional
that is approved by the City to undertake the
work, providing a tree security deposit and
submission of other reports or documents.

Using hand tools or accessing areas by foot can help reduce impact
to trees. Put notes on your plans so it is clear and understood where
you plan to use hand tools and foot traffic. Also note areas where
there will be no construction access.

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 06 | What do I need for my private tree
by-law permit application?

The submission requirements for each Private 6.1 What documents do I need?
Tree By-law permit depends on: (a) why you
are asking for the tree to be removed or The City’s tree permit application process
injured, and (b) the nature of the proposed is online. If you require assistance please
project (in cases where there is a project). contact Service Burlington at 905-335-7777
for accessibility support.
A complete tree permit application may
include one or more of the following: A property owner can complete the permit
• forms; application themselves or authorize
• an Owner’s Authorization Form; someone to complete it on their behalf.
• a Consent Letter (also called a Letter of If authorizing someone else, an Owner’s
Agreement) from the neighbour(s); Authorization Form needs to be completed
• an Arborist Report with; and submitted with the application.
• a Tree Protection Plan; If a project on your property might injure
• a Tree Replacement Plan unless you or remove a regulated tree that grows
are opting to pay the tree replacement across the property line or is located on your
fees instead of replanting; and/or neighbour’s property, you need to provide a
• fees; Consent Letter signed by them. The Consent
• applicable tree injury, removal and/or Letter must contain:
replacement tree fees; • the name, address and contact details of all
• tree replacement security deposit; the owners and/or co-owners of the trees;
• security deposit for City tree(s); • the exact details of the trees to be injured
• additional fees as required (e.g., and/or removed (i.e., tree species name,
application processing fee). size and location etc.); and
This section provides generalized guidance as • a statement acknowledging the proposal
to when each of the items above is typically for the tree(s) to be injured and/or
required, and what information it should destroyed/removed and acceptance of the
contain. However, each application is unique, proposal. For example, I/we understand
and City Forestry Staff may request additional and are agreeable/consent to the removal
information and/or request a site visit. of the tree as identified herein that adjoins
property X and Y.
The City has also included the tree
permit application within the pre-building A Consent Letter is needed if your tree permit
permit process and the pool permit process application contains:
to streamline review and approvals. • a regulated tree that is shared with your
neighbour (i.e., a boundary tree); and
• a project that will be located within the TPZ
of your neighbour’s regulated tree.

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6.2 When do I need an Arborist Trees injured or removed for a project
Report? If a property owner wishes to remove one or
more trees because of a project (e.g., new
An Arborist Report will generally not be
house, pool, etc.), or the proposed work is
required if a property owner wishes to
expected to impact a regulated tree on an
remove one tree and is not completing
adjacent property (i.e., works will be within
any sort of project (i.e., the application is
the tree’s minimum TPZ, as per Table 1), then
to only remove a tree). For these singular
a permit application with a complete Arborist
tree applications, photographs are required
Report is required.
along with information on the species and
location of the tree such as on a sketch. It is 6.3 What is included in an Arborist
also helpful to know if there is any access or
Report?
safety issues such as a locked gate or loose
dog, as we will still assess trees if you are An Arborist Report must be prepared by
not home. This information can be provided a qualified tree professional. A complete
within the application or with a follow up Arborist Report typically includes:
email to the email address provided in the • the address of the subject site;
tree permit application confirmation page • the author, contact information, and relevant
after submitting the online application. qualifications (e.g., ISA certification #, RPF)
• a brief description of the proposed work;
When you are not completing a project, and
• a description of the trees to be removed, if
you are looking to remove and/or injure
any and why;
multiple trees, a report and/or document
• the date(s) that the assessment was
that provides the following is required:
completed. Ensure assessments were
• a reasonably accurate sketch of the property completed within the last year (365 days).
clearly showing the location of all trees; Where reports are revised, include revised
• a table of the species, size (DBH) and report number and date;
ownership of all tree(s); and • the species, size, condition and ownership
• clear supporting photos of the full tree for of all the trees on your property and within
each tree. 6 m of the property limit (using the City’s
accepted standards);
High-risk, terminal or dead trees • a description of the trees to be protected
If a property owner wishes to remove one or and the measures proposed to protect
more trees considered high-risk, terminal them (with a Tree Protection Plan);
or dead then an Arborist Report or letter • a description of any trees to be injured
confirming the tree('s) condition is needed. where work will be within the minimum
The confirmation must be completed by a TPZ and include the reason for
qualified tree professional. encroachment (see Table 1);
• measures to be implemented to avoid
negative impacts to trees due to work
required within the minimum TPZ (e.g.,
branch and/or root pruning, etc.);

In some cases, not all of the above listed report elements will be
required. This will need to be determined in consultation with City
Forestry Staff.

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• plan for tree replacement (see Section 6.5) • Proposed construction access routes and
to compensate for trees to be removed material storage areas and their dimensions;
(with a Tree Replacement Plan); • The location and extent of tree protection
• recommended post-construction care and/ measures to be installed (e.g., tree protection
or monitoring for the regulated trees and fencing and horizontal tree protection) with
the replacement trees as required; and dimensions;
• photographs of the full tree(s). • The distance measurement between the
trunk of the tree and site of injury;
6.4 What is a Tree Protection Plan? • A label for all mitigative work around trees
as necessary (e.g., exploratory air-spade and
A Tree Protection Plan is a two-dimensional
root prune); and
metric scaled plan typically prepared by a
• A scale bar and legend that provides labels
qualified tree professional that shows:
for all information included on the drawing.
• Existing conditions including property lines,
Do not include other elements that are not
building footprints, and other site elements
applicable.
(such as a driveway, pool, desk, patio and
fence) including the front of the property to It is important that all plans provided are
the street curb; drawn to scale and include all relevant
• Proposed conditions including any new information. This helps the City check that
structures or additions, a new pool, over- what is being proposed can actually be
dig for all excavations, a new paved surface implemented on site.
such as new or widened driveway or deck
and grade changes drawn to scale with Examples of Tree Protection Plans are
dimensions; provided in Figure 6 and 7.
• Existing and proposed servicing and
utility information such as trenches
with dimensions, bore pit locations with
dimensions;
• Details on servicing decommissioning and
abandonment;
• A separate tree inventory table as needed
or include the table on the plan. The tree
inventory should include the unique identifier
for the tree, size, species, ownership, address
if not the subject lot, condition for the trees,
recommendations and any notes;
• The location of each regulated tree on the
property, those within six (6) metres of the
property and those within the municipal right
of way. Trees that make up a hedge are to be
individually shown on the plan;
• The trunk for the tree shall be scaled along
with a scaled circle measured out from the
edge of the trunk of the tree to show the TPZ
with dimensions;
• Which trees are to be injured, removed or
fully protected through the proposed project;

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 Tree Protection Plan (To be read in conjunction with the Arborist Report) Legend
2
# Tree Protection Zone (TPZ)

2.5 m 4.2 m Tree Protection Fencing

2.4 m 1.6 m

X3
Exploratory
1 4 Air Spade
Root Protection Hoarding
& Root Prune
Construction Access
New Pool
New
Servicing Patio equipment)
New
Pool
Exploratory Material Storage Area

X
Air Spade & Ex. Fence
Root Prune 0.8 m Tree Removal
1.1 m 2.4 m
City 5 (work occurs inside TPZ)
Existing Deck
(approx. 0.6 m wide)

New Pool
Residence 2.9 m 4.2 m
IMPORTANT
Equipment 6.3 m This is an example drawing only. It
Address
shows the key forestry details
6 necessary for approval. Extra details
may be needed based on the scope of
your project. Connect with other
departments to learn about their
requirements.
Ex. Gate
2.4 m
7 Ex. Driveway Drawing Details
Drawn: June 1, 2022
3.6 m 2.8 m Property
Version: 02 (Revised July 5, 2022)
Line
Scale = 1:250 (1 cm = 2.5 m)
No Construction Access 8
(No Protection Required) N.B. Print on 8.5”x11” without
scaling or fitting; otherwise
Sidewalk only scale bar below is
1.8 m correct scale.
Boulevard 1.5 m
9
N
Street Name
0 5 10 m

Tree Inventory Table (To be read in conjunction with the Arborist Report)

Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Recommendation Notes

# Species DBH (cm) TPZ (m) Health Structure Ownership (see Arb. Report) (see Arborist Report for more detail)
1 Tulip Tree 25 2.4 Good Good Neighbour Protect
2 White Cedar < 20 NA Good Good Boundary / Shared No Action Required 9 stems in hedge; none regulated
3 Ironwood 20 2.4 Good Good Subject Property Remove Within footprint of pool
4 Sugar Maple 65 4.2 Good Fair Subject Property Injure & Protect Root prune following City Spec.
5 Ironwood 21 2.4 Good Good Subject Property Injure & Protect Root prune following City Spec.
6 Black Maple 60 4.2 Fair Good Neighbour Protect
7 Yellowwood 20 2.4 Poor Fair Boundary / Shared No Action Required
8 White Birch 51 3.6 Fair Fair Subject Property Protect 3 stems: 29² + 29² + 30² = 51 cm DBH
9 Serviceberry 10 1.8 Good Good City Protect

Figure 6 — Example of a Tree Protection Plan for a new pool.

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 Tree Protection Plan (To be read in conjunction with the Arborist Report) Legend
2
4 # Tree Protection Zone (TPZ)

2.4 m 1.6 m 6.0 m Tree Protection Fencing

3 2.4 m 7.6 m
1 1.3 m
4.2 m
Root Protection Hoarding

Construction Access
1.1 m Ex. Fence
4.3 m equipment)

Exploratory Air Spade Material Storage Area

5
New
X X Tree Removal

Foundation
Overdig
6 (work occurs inside TPZ)
2.4 m
New Addition 1.8 m
(approx. 0.6 m wide)
ex. deck to

addition Residence 2.9 m 4.2 m

IMPORTANT
6.3 m This is an example drawing only. It
Address
shows the key forestry details
7 necessary for approval. Extra details
may be needed based on the scope of
your project. Connect with other
departments to learn about their
requirements.
Ex. Gate
2.4 m
8 Ex. Driveway Drawing Details
Property Drawn: June 1, 2022
3.6 m 2.8 m
Line Version: 02 (Revised July 5, 2022)
Scale = 1:250 (1 cm = 2.5 m)
No Construction Access 9
(No Protection Required) N.B. Print on 8.5”x11” without
scaling or fitting; otherwise
Sidewalk only scale bar below is
1.8 m correct scale.
Boulevard 1.5 m
10
N
Street Name
0 5 10 m

Tree Inventory Table (To be read in conjunction with the Arborist Report)

Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Recommendation Notes

# Species DBH (cm) TPZ (m) Health Structure Ownership (see Arb. Report) (see Arborist Report for more detail)
1 Tulip Tree 25 2.4 Good Good Neighbour Protect
2 White Cedar < 20 NA Good Good Boundary / Shared No Action Required 9 stems in hedge; none regulated
3 Ironwood 20 2.4 Good Good Subject Property Protect
4 Sugar Maple 65 4.2 Good Fair Subject Property Protect
5 Ironwood 21 2.4 Good Good Subject Property Remove Significant injury to structural roots
6 Redbud 22 2.4 Good Good Subject Property Injure & Protect Root prune following City Spec.
7 Black Maple 60 4.2 Fair Good Neighbour Protect
8 Yellowwood 20 2.4 Poor Fair Boundary / Shared No Action Required
9 White Birch 51 3.6 Fair Fair Subject Property Protect 3 stems: 29² + 29² + 30² = 51 cm DBH
10 Serviceberry 10 1.8 Good Good City Protect

Figure 7 — Example of a Tree Protection Plan for an addition.

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6.5 What is a Tree Replacement Plan? If you agree to plant replacement trees as
a permit condition, the City will collect a
A Tree Replacement Plan should build on replacement tree security (currently $250
the base information in the Tree Protection per tree to be replaced) and set a date by
Plan (see Section 6.4). However, instead of which the trees need to be planted. Once
showing the trees to be removed, it shows the trees are planted, you can contact City
the trees to be planted as replacement for Forestry Staff to confirm you have satisfied
those removed. the condition and request your deposit be
The location of the trees to be planted, each refunded. Please be prepared to provide
with a unique identifier, should be shown with photographs of your replacement trees.
a table showing the species and size of each. If replacement trees are not planted within
A simplified example is provided in Figure 8. the time on the tree permit, the replacement
tree security will be deposited into the City’s
How are tree replacements calculated? Tree Planting Initiative Reserve Fund.
When the City permits the removal of one or
more regulated tree(s) on private property, Where can replacement trees be
and the tree is not high-risk, terminal or planted?
dead, a plan for tree replacement is required.
Replacement trees can be planted on the
To compensate for canopy loss you can either: lot where the trees were removed or on an
• plant replacement trees on private alternate private property within the City’s
property, or; Urban Planning Area Boundary (with a Letter
• pay a replacement tree fee to allow for tree of Consent from the alternate landowner).
planting somewhere else in the City (also
The permit holder is responsible for planting
called cash-in-lieu); or
and caring for the required replacement trees
• a combination of both.
for the first two years. All replacement trees
The total amount of replacement trees is are regulated under the Private Tree By-law.
based on the number and diameter of tree(s)
approved for removal using a ratio-based
system, as shown in the table below:

Trunk diameter (DBH) of Tree replacement

tree approved for removal ratio
20 to 35 cm 2:1
36 to 74 cm 3:1
75 cm or more 4:1
Table 2 — How to calculate tree replacements.
For example, removing two 30 cm DBH trees
requires four replacement trees to be planted
or four times the private tree replacement
fee (currently $250, so a total of $1000).

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 Tree Replanting Plan Legend

1 # Replacement Tree

# Replacement Tree
Pool Patio

Ex. Fence
2

Ex. Deck

Residence
Address

Ex. Gate Drawing Details

Drawn: June 1, 2022
Ex. Driveway
Version: 01
Property
Line Scale = 1:250 (1 cm = 2.5 m)

N.B. Print on 8.5”x11” without

scaling or fitting; otherwise
only scale bar below is
Sidewalk correct scale.
Boulevard
N
Street Name
0 5 10 m

Tree Replanting Table

Tree Tree Tree
# Species Size
1 Eastern Hemlock 125 cm tall
2 Hackberry 30 mm caliper

Tree Replanting Calculation (To be read in conjunction with the Tree Protection Plan (TPP))

Trunk Diameter (DBH) Compensation Number of Trees Number of Trees

of the Tree Removed Ratio Removed to be Replaced
20-35 cm 2:1 1 (Tree #3 in Pool TPP) 2
36-74 cm 3:1 0 0
>= 75 cm 4:1 0 0

Figure 8 — Example of a Tree Replanting Plan.

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What are examples of trees to plant? New Tree Planting Care Tips
Below is a list of species to consider when To keep the trees healthy follow these tips:
choosing which trees to replant with. For a
larger selection please visit our website at • water the tree regularly to keep the soil
burlington.ca/forestprotection. moist, but not soaking wet. Over-watering
can create as many issues for the newly
Small Medium Large planted tree as drought can. Water the
Blue beech Yellow birch Bur oak tree once every 3 to 5 days with a good
soaking. Consider any rainstorms that have
Serviceberry (tree) Balsam fir Tulip tree
happened or are forecasted;
Eastern redbud Ironwood Hemlock • keep lawn mowers and string trimmers
Ohio buckeye Hackberry White pine away from the stem of the tree. Injuries
Yellowwood Black gum Sycamore make the tree more susceptible to insect
and disease infestations and weaken the
Table 3 — Examples of tree species for replanting. trunk. Severe bark damage can result in the
eventual death of a tree;
Other important tree replacement • woodchip mulch should be left in place to
requirements to consider protect the tree from damage, it reduces
water loss and allows water and nutrients
Replacement trees must be:
to penetrate the soil more easily. An
• a minimum at the time of installation: approximately 10 cm (4") layer, placed from
• 125 cm tall for evergreen species; just off the trunk to the outer dripline, can
• 30 mm caliper for broadleaf species; improve moisture retention;
• a tree with the ability to reach a minimum • do not volcano mulch or place dirt or grass
height of 4.5 m at maturity. No dwarf clippings abutting the trunk of the tree. Any
species are accepted; debris touching the trunk of the tree traps
• a similar species type to the tree that was dirt and moisture at the trunk promoting rot;
removed. For example where you remove a • do not install plants in the mulched area.
maple tree, one of your tree replacements Any plants (including grass) compete for
must be a broadleaf species; and resources that are all vital during the tree's
• suited to the site conditions. establishment period.

Evergreen trees Broadleaf trees must

must be at least be at least 30 mm
125 cm tall diameter measured
15 cm from Remember to put the
base of tree right tree in the right
place. That is, make sure
that the tree(s) you wish
to plant will have the
125 cm right light, water, soil,
and space to grow. Also,
Must be 30 mm remember that trees
diameter here 15 cm
cannot be planted on City
property.
Figure 9 — Replacement tree size upon planting.

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Key Technical Terms
IMPORTANT: The definitions for the terms below are based on the
definitions in the City’s Private Tree By-law, but have been simplified
for use in this guide. They do not replace or alter the meaning of the
terms as set out in the Private Tree By-law.
“boundary tree” is a tree with any part of its trunk growing across the
property line between two or more properties.
“DBH” stands for “diameter at breast height” and is a measurement
around the tree’s trunk (or trunks) that is taken at a height measured
1.37 m from the ground. See Section 2 for how to measure DBH.
“dead” means no living tissue in the tree, including no live buds or
leaves; often small branches are brittle and bark will begin to fall off.
“emergency tree work” means work on a tree (such as pruning,
cutting off a major limb or cutting down the entire tree) that is needed
to (a) remove an immediate danger (such as a tree limb that is about
to fall and could injure someone or damage property, such as a car
or a house), or (b) allow for emergency repairs (such as repairs to a
building).
“good arboricultural practice” means care provided to a tree that
is consistent with established professional standards such as proper
pruning of dead, damaged or structurally weak branches. In the City
of Burlington, those are the American National Standards (known
as ANSI A300) and best management practices as identified by the
International Society of Arboriculture.
“heritage tree” can mean different things but in the City of Burlington
specifically means trees that are designated as heritage trees under
the Ontario Heritage Act or trees that are recognized as heritage trees
by Forests Ontario and the Ontario Urban Forest Council.
“high-risk tree” means a tree that has become structurally weakened
to the point where, there is a high risk for the tree to break or fall down
(either the entire tree or parts of the tree)but the tree will not likely
break or fall down immediately. This is a review done by a qualified
tree professional.
“injure” or “injury” means any act that harms the tree’s health or
structure. Common examples include: cutting branches or roots in a
way that is not consistent with good practice, failing to provide the
required Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) (see Section 2), and working or
storing materials in the TPZ which can cause damage to the trees root
system.

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“qualified tree professional” means a professional who has the
appropriate certifications, qualifications and expertise related to
trees. In Burlington a qualified tree professional is one of the
following: Registered Consulting Arborist with the American Society
of Consulting Arborists, Board Certified Master Arborist or Arborist
Municipal Specialist with the International Society of Arboriculture
(ISA), Registered Professional Forester, ISA Certified Arborist and/or ISA
Qualified Tree Risk Assessor. A qualified tree professional is required
to prepare your Arborist Report.
“regulated tree” - although the term “regulated tree” is not found
in the City’s Private Tree By-law definitions, for the purposes of this
guide, this term refers to a tree protected by one of the City’s tree by-
laws. In Burlington, this includes all trees on City property, trees of at
least 20 cm DBH on private property within the Urban Boundary, trees
that are considered heritage trees, trees that are listed in the Ontario
Endangered Species Act, and replacement trees that were planted as a
condition of a tree permit.
“terminal condition” means a tree that is in decline or dying that is
both advanced and irreversible due to a non-living factor (such as
mechanical damage or fire) or living factors (such as a pest or disease)
that causes the majority of the tree canopy to decline and/or die.
“Tree Protection Zone (TPZ)” is a zone created around a tree to
protect the tree trunk, branches, soil and roots from machines and
equipment, and other construction-related disturbances.

Still have questions?

Visit burlington.ca/forestprotection or
call 905-335-7777, or email [email protected]

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