Tree removal bylaws

Here's a topic simply for debate/discussion:
In Ottawa, there are bylaws preventing people from removing trees from their own property without a permit. Here's a recent article talking about it - https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottaw...tawa-1.5254818.
I did not know that landowners with properties over one hectare needed a permit to remove a tree with a diameter larger than 10 cm (!). Personally, I find this 10 cm rule ridiculous. in my opinion, the more trees you have, the less permitting you should require to remove them. If it's on your property, should you even require a permit at all?

Don't get me wrong, I love trees and avoid cutting them down whenever possible. I once paid hundreds of dollars to try to save a nice oak on my property, against the advice of the arborist who advised that the tree would die regardless of what I did to try to save it. I then ended up having to pay several more hundred dollars to have it cut down the following year.

Fortunately, we up here in the north, do not have to deal with this. I've heard a few horror stories from friends who live in the quagmire though.

Don't get me started. In Oakville you need a permit to remove ANY tree over 15 cm in trunk diameter, irrespective of your property size.
I had one removed that was very close to my house (touching my roof). It cost me $600 for the permit, and they forced me to plant 2 more specified species of trees in my backyard (cost $320 for the pair), and it took 2 weeks to get the permit, after the town's arborist came to my site to review the "project" which I had to do during the weekday and missed 1 hour of work for. So, the permit costs were basically $920 and took 2 weeks. It took the tree removal company 2 hours to take down the tree, and charged me $400. Think about that ... sound fair, paying $920 in permit costs for a $400 tree removal, and it delayed a 2h job by 2 weeks?? ... and this was my tree, on my property.

But I was like ... okay, land conservation ... trees, nature, alright let's calm down ... that was until I found out that any major development is exempt from this by-law.

So, the reality is that the big developers can go cutting down 100's of trees, but the little guy that wants to remove a tree for good reasons is nailed. And get this, I asked the tree removal company what % of trees get removed by the little guy ... he says only 2%, the other 98% are from developments which are exempted ... total joke.

It's all about money, there's ZERO principle in any of this.

I have had that discussion already a few times! If the tree is dead it can be removed. Copper nail. I’m just saying.


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Originally Posted by rf2

I did not know that landowners with properties over one hectare needed a permit to remove a tree with a diameter larger than 10 cm (!).

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"Over one hectare" in Ottawa.
I guess you should have researched that.
Not your common lot size in a big city.

I would just do it anyway, screw them. Like how would they really know? For the most part no homeowner would want to remove any more trees on his property than he had to regardless so obviously it's just another revenue stream for the city. Besides it's easier to beg forgiveness than to ask for permission but in reality it would be easy to plead ignorance if one was caught.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Woodsman

"Over one hectare" in Ottawa.
I guess you should have researched that.
Not your common lot size in a big city.

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Ottawa city limits stretch far out into rural lands ever since amalgamation. Screwed a lot of country folks with new regulations like fire permits and higher taxes.

I’m with Smitty, use a variation on the 3S rule and don’t look back.

I like trees too and only cut if it has to be done, but if have little patience for government intrusion

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smitty55

I would just do it anyway, screw them. Like how would they really know? For the most part no homeowner would want to remove any more trees on his property than he had to regardless so obviously it's just another revenue stream for the city. Besides it's easier to beg forgiveness than to ask for permission but in reality it would be easy to plead ignorance if one was caught.

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The neighborhood talks, and it eventually it gets down to "City Hall " especially if you don,t get along with someone in the neighborhood.
I'm glad we live in the country and our neighbors are friendly!

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Originally Posted by jaycee

I'm glad we live in the country and our neighbors are friendly!

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Ha! We've been inundated lately with immigrants moving up here from the quagmire of S. Ont. cats running loose!, Anti hunters! Property line guardians! The whole neighbourhood is falling apart! Next thing ya know, we won't be able to cut a tree down without permission?:D