Question 1

Do I need a permit to remove a tree on my own property?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. Most municipalities on the Saanich Peninsula and in Greater Victoria have their own tree protection bylaw. Under these bylaws, a protected tree usually needs a permit before it is cut down, even on your own land. Whether a tree is protected depends on things like its species, its trunk size and where it grows. A few areas, such as the District of Sooke and the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) electoral areas, describe no tree bylaw. A development permit can still apply there. Check the guide for your area before any cutting.

Question 2

Do I need an arborist report to remove a tree in Saanich, Victoria or Oak Bay?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the tree and the project, but often you do. Saanich may require a tree survey, an arborist report or both with a tree cutting permit application. It also requires a report when development happens in or near trees. Victoria requires tree information with development-related applications, such as rezoning, subdivision and many building permits. Oak Bay's bylaw requires a Tree Permit issued by the District before you cut, top or prune a protected tree. The same applies to damaging its roots inside the drip line (the ground below the outer edge of its branches). The application must include any reports the District requires. Oakstead prepares reports to each municipality's requirements.

Question 3

What size of tree is protected in my municipality?

Accepted Answer

It depends on where you live. Most bylaws protect any tree above a set trunk size, and protect some native species when they are much smaller. Trunk size is measured as diameter at breast height (DBH). Victoria protects trees over 30 centimetres (cm). Esquimalt, Central Saanich and Duncan protect trees of 30 cm or more. North Saanich protects trees of 20 cm or more, and Sidney protects trees over 60 cm. Saanich protects Douglas-fir, grand fir, bigleaf maple and western redcedar from 30 cm DBH, and other trees from 60 cm. Trees near water, on steep slopes or under a covenant (a written agreement registered on a property's title that can limit how the land is used) can also be protected.

Question 4

Is a Garry oak or arbutus on my lot protected?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. Many local tree bylaws protect these native species even when they are small. Langford is an exception: its bylaw does not single out species, and it applies to any tree of 20 centimetres (cm) or more in diameter, among others. Saanich protects Garry oak, arbutus, Pacific dogwood and Pacific yew from 2 metres tall or 4 cm in diameter. Victoria protects them once they are over 50 cm tall. Sidney protects Garry oak and arbutus from 3 cm in trunk diameter, Esquimalt from 4 cm at breast height, and North Saanich from 10 cm at breast height. Duncan protects them from 2 metres tall or 7 cm in diameter. Central Saanich, View Royal, Highlands and Metchosin also list both as protected species.

Question 5

How do I measure a tree's diameter at breast height (DBH)?

Accepted Answer

Wrap a tape around the trunk at breast height and divide that number by 3.14 to get the diameter. Saanich, Victoria, Esquimalt and Sidney set breast height at 1.4 metres above the ground, while View Royal's bylaw uses 1.3 metres. For small native trees, Saanich and Duncan measure 15 centimetres (cm) above natural ground level instead. For a tree with several stems, Victoria adds together the diameters of the three largest stems. As an example, a trunk that measures 100 cm around is about 32 cm across. If a tree is close to a limit, an arborist can measure it for you.

Question 6

Can I prune a protected tree without a permit?

Accepted Answer

Often you can, for light pruning done to good tree care practice, but the limits differ by municipality. Saanich generally allows basic pruning without a permit. You need one to prune a Significant Tree (a notable tree that Saanich lists in its bylaw and marks with a brass tag), a tree under a covenant or a tree's roots. Sidney allows pruning of up to 20% of the crown in a season. It needs a permit for any branch or root over 5 centimetres (cm) across, or 2.5 cm for arbutus, dogwood and Garry oak. Duncan limits pruning to 25% of the live crown in 12 months. North Saanich prohibits topping. Victoria may require a permit to prune a protected tree.

Question 7

Are hedges covered by tree bylaws?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes. In Victoria, a hedge is a row of five or more similar trees planted less than 1.25 metres apart. A hedge is protected when any single stem is over 30 centimetres in diameter at breast height. Replacement planting is required if a protected hedge is removed. North Saanich's bylaw does not apply to hedge pruning done to sound arboricultural practice, meaning current tree care standards. Pruning that damages a tree is still covered. Duncan's limit on topping does not apply to a tree that is part of a hedge. In other municipalities, ask before you cut back a large hedge.

Question 8

Can a hazard tree be removed without a permit?

Accepted Answer

Usually not. In most municipalities, a dead, dying or hazardous protected tree still needs a permit, although the fee may be waived. Saanich says dead or dying protected trees need a permit. Victoria charges no permit fee to remove only a hazard tree or a dead tree. Central Saanich charges no fee for a hazardous tree when there is no development application. Esquimalt's bylaw is an exception. It needs no permit for a hazard tree confirmed by a Qualified Tree Risk Assessor. The owner must report the cutting by the end of the next business day, with written reasons and photos. Esquimalt's Trees page says hazardous trees still need a permit, so confirm with the Township first. A tree risk assessment can document the tree's condition for your application.

Question 9

What if a protected tree is about to fall?

Accepted Answer

Several bylaws allow emergency cutting of a protected tree in imminent danger of injuring people or property. You must tell the municipality quickly. Sidney requires a permit application within the next business day, and the wood must stay on the lot until the Town confirms the danger. View Royal requires contact within one business day, with photos. Esquimalt requires a report by the end of the next business day, with written reasons and photos. North Saanich requires notice and an application after the fact. Check your area guide for the exact rule.

Question 10

What happens if a tree is removed without a permit?

Accepted Answer

You can be fined, and fines are often counted per tree. Esquimalt's bylaw sets a maximum fine of $10,000 on conviction, and each protected tree that is cut, pruned or damaged is a separate offence. Metchosin's 2013 bylaw consolidation sets a minimum fine of $500 for each tree cut without a permit, and up to $10,000 for each tree. In Central Saanich, each tree cut, damaged or pruned without a permit is a separate offence. The person must also pay $50 for each centimetre of trunk diameter into the District's Tree Planting Reserve Fund. Check the rules before any cutting starts.

Question 11

What are tree securities and cash-in-lieu?

Accepted Answer

A security is money the municipality holds until required replacement or retained trees are confirmed. Cash-in-lieu is a payment made instead of planting replacement trees that will not fit. In Victoria, security can be cash or a letter of credit, and cash-in-lieu is $2,000 for each replacement tree that will not fit. Central Saanich asks for a $500 deposit per replacement tree and offers cash-in-lieu at $500 per tree. View Royal says its fee instead of planting is $700 per replacement tree. Amounts change, so confirm them with your municipality.

Question 12

How do I get my tree security or deposit back?

Accepted Answer

Usually by showing that the replacement trees were planted and have survived, often for a year. Central Saanich holds its deposit for one year after planting and returns it once the trees are confirmed established. Langford returns half of its $400 deposit per tree once the tree is planted. It returns the rest a year after planting if the tree is still healthy. North Saanich returns its security once you report the planting and the District confirms the trees. Where a municipality asks for an arborist's sign-off, Oakstead's post-construction or security-release letter is $295, including the site visit.

Question 13

Do I need a separate tree permit for a building project?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the municipality. In Saanich, tree work that is part of a development application does not need a separate tree permit, because Saanich Parks is informed through the development process. An arborist report is required when work happens in or near trees. In Victoria, development-related applications must include tree information and may need a tree permit. This includes building permits for an accessory building, such as a garden suite, or for an addition over 10 square metres. Oak Bay's bylaw has a Type 2 Tree Permit for this. It covers tree work that the bylaw otherwise prohibits but that is needed for work under a demolition or building permit the District has issued.

Question 14

What if my area has no tree bylaw, such as Sooke?

Accepted Answer

You may still need a permit, depending on the site and the work. The District of Sooke describes no tree bylaw and says routine tree removal does not need a development permit. Removal near watercourses, shorelines or steep slopes, or as part of development, may need one. The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) says it has no tree cutting bylaw, but a tree in a development permit area (an area mapped in a community plan, such as land near streams, where extra permit rules apply) may need a permit. Any land-altering work within 30 metres of water also needs one first. The Capital Regional District's bylaw list for Juan de Fuca Electoral Area shows no tree bylaw.

Question 15

Do trees on farmland in the Agricultural Land Reserve need a permit?

Accepted Answer

In Central Saanich, no. Tree removal on land in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) is exempt from the permit requirement. The owner must give the District a written statement that the trees are being removed for an agricultural use. We have not verified how other municipalities treat ALR land, so ask yours before you cut.

Question 16

Can I prune or remove the boulevard tree in front of my house?

Accepted Answer

Usually not on your own, because boulevard trees grow on municipal land. Saanich says you cannot prune a tree on municipally owned land, including boulevards and parks. In North Saanich, the District's Infrastructure Services department maintains trees on public property. In Central Saanich, a boulevard tree may be removed only if there is no other way to get access. Three replacement trees are then paid for at $750 each. Sooke takes concerns about trees on municipal land through its service request system.

Question 17

Can I prune my neighbour's tree where it hangs over my yard?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your municipality's bylaw. In Esquimalt, you may prune overhanging branches less than 4 inches (about 10 centimetres) in diameter, and a larger limb needs a tree cutting permit. Cuts should follow International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) practices. In other municipalities, check your area guide or ask the municipality first. Legal questions about a neighbour's tree are for your lawyer or insurer. A tree appraisal can document a tree's value if it is damaged.

Question 18

Is there a best time of year to remove a tree?

Accepted Answer

Where nesting birds are a concern, yes. The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) suggests tree cutting from mid-September to January, its low-risk period. Outside that window, it suggests a thorough nest search first. British Columbia's Wildlife Act makes it an offence, except as provided by regulation, to destroy a nest while it holds a bird or egg. The Act separately protects the nests of eagles, peregrine falcons, gyrfalcons, ospreys, herons and burrowing owls, without the condition that the nest holds a bird or egg. The CVRD says removing a nest tree needs a written permit from the provincial Ministry of Environment. A federal permit may also be needed.

Question 19

How long does a municipal tree permit take?

Accepted Answer

It varies by municipality. North Saanich says to expect 2 to 3 weeks for review and permit issuance once it has a complete application. It also says not to book a contractor until the permit is issued. The permit must be posted where it can be seen at least 48 hours before work starts. Ask your own municipality for its timeline.

Question 20

What is an arborist report?

Accepted Answer

An arborist report is a written document from an arborist about the trees on or near a site. It covers their condition, their protection needs and the effects of the proposed work. Many municipalities require one for development applications and tree removal permits, and each sets its own requirements. Saanich, for example, says every arborist report must be in writing and contain the information in its General Arborist Report Guidelines.

Question 21

Do your arborist reports meet municipal requirements?

Accepted Answer

Oakstead prepares each report and tree map to the requirements of the municipality reviewing your application. That applies whether it is for development, a tree removal permit or bylaw compliance. Each district on southern Vancouver Island sets its own standards. In Saanich, for example, an arborist's recommendations and methods must be consistent with International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) best management practices. They can instead, or also, follow American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards.

Question 22

Who is qualified to write an arborist report?

Accepted Answer

Usually an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist. For tree risk, it is usually an arborist with the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). Bylaws word this differently. Sidney's bylaw accepts certification by the ISA or the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA). Duncan's bylaw defines an arborist as ISA certified and also qualified as a certified tree risk assessor or as a provincial Wildlife/Danger Tree Assessor. In Esquimalt, only a Qualified Tree Risk Assessor can decide that a tree is a hazard tree. Oakstead's ISA Certified Arborists provide TRAQ tree risk assessments.

Question 23

Will the municipality approve my permit if Oakstead writes the report?

Accepted Answer

No one can promise that, because the municipality makes the permit decision. Oakstead does not issue or approve permits, and we do not act for any municipality. We assess your trees and prepare the arborist report or tree protection plan your application needs, setting out the tree details for the municipality to review. In our experience, including an arborist's report with the first application often speeds up the process.

Question 24

What does a tree map show?

Accepted Answer

A tree map shows where each tree on a site is, with its species, size and condition. Oakstead's arborists collect the tree data, and Dot Cross Design does the computer-aided design (CAD) drafting, using legal surveys, to produce maps that support site planning, tree protection and bylaw compliance.

Question 25

How long does an arborist report take?

Accepted Answer

We confirm the timing for your report in our quote, so tell us your deadline when you first get in touch. The municipality's review is a separate step after you apply. North Saanich, for example, says to expect 2 to 3 weeks once it has a complete application.

Question 26

What should I have ready before a site visit?

Accepted Answer

Have the property address, the municipality, your deadline and any site plan or property survey ready. Photos of the trees also help. If you are building, ask your surveyor to locate the trees on the survey. The arborist uses it to judge construction impacts and to identify protected and unsuitable trees.

Question 27

Do you write reports for insurance claims or legal disputes?

Accepted Answer

Yes, within an arborist's role. Oakstead's tree risk assessment reports are suitable for stratas, insurers and permit applications. Our tree appraisals document a tree's value for damage and insurance claims, trespass and other legal disputes, and tax purposes. Legal questions are for your lawyer or insurer.

Question 28

What is a TRAQ tree risk assessment, and which level do I need?

Accepted Answer

It is a structured tree risk assessment by an arborist who holds the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). The method rates the likelihood of failure, the likelihood of impact and the consequences. It then recommends ways to reduce the risk, such as pruning, cabling or removal. You get a written report with findings, a risk rating and options. Oakstead offers two levels of assessment. Level 2 is the basic assessment. Level 3 is an advanced assessment for when visual signs suggest internal decay. It can include tools such as resistograph testing and sonic tomography.

Question 29

When should I get a tree risk assessment?

Accepted Answer

Get one if a tree has dead limbs, cracks, fungal growth, a lean that has changed or root damage from construction. Get one too if it hangs over a house, driveway, play area or public space. The assessment tells you whether the tree needs work or can safely stay. Some municipalities also want a risk assessor's report before a hazard tree is removed.

Question 30

How do arborists check for hidden decay inside a tree?

Accepted Answer

They start with a visual assessment, then use tools when they need to see inside the wood. Oakstead can take a small core with an increment bore to show growth rings and decay. Resistograph testing records wood density along a fine drilling path. Sonic tomography uses sound to build a cross-section picture of the trunk. Air Spading can expose roots so they can be inspected.

Question 31

What is resistograph testing?

Accepted Answer

Resistograph testing, also called resistance drilling, drives a fine needle slowly into the wood. It records how much resistance the needle meets, giving a density profile along that path. Solid wood resists the needle, while decay, cavities and cracks offer little resistance. Decay rarely spreads evenly, so readings are taken at several planned points and heights. Together they show where decay sits, how far it extends and how much solid wood remains.

Question 32

Does resistograph testing harm the tree?

Accepted Answer

It makes a small wound: the needle leaves a narrow hole in the wood. Research in the International Society of Arboriculture's journal describes resistance drilling as minimally to moderately invasive, and less invasive than taking a core sample. Some studies found that drill holes can help existing decay spread, while another argued drilling causes no long-term decay. That is why arborists drill only where a reading is needed and keep holes few. Sonic tomography, which is less invasive, can be used first to choose where to drill.

Question 33

What is sonic tomography?

Accepted Answer

Sonic tomography uses sound to look inside a tree trunk. Small pins are tapped just through the bark at several points around the trunk, and a sensor is attached to each one. Each pin is lightly tapped, and the time the sound takes to reach the other sensors is recorded. Sound travels more slowly through decay and has to go around hollows. Software turns these times into a cross-section picture, called a tomogram, showing where solid wood and decay are likely to be. Oakstead offers it as part of advanced (Level 3) tree risk assessments.

Question 34

Does sonic tomography harm the tree?

Accepted Answer

It is one of the least invasive ways to look for internal decay, but it is not contact-free. The small pins are tapped through the bark until they touch the outer wood. Peer-reviewed research describes tomography as minimally invasive and less damaging to tree tissue than drilling. We have not found a study that measured wounding from the pins, so we describe it as minimally invasive, not harmless.

Question 35

When is sonic tomography used instead of, or with, resistograph testing?

Accepted Answer

The two usually work together rather than replacing each other. Sonic tomography gives a picture across a whole cross-section of the trunk, while resistance drilling gives a detailed reading along a single line. A tomogram is not a photograph: internal cracks can look like decay, and early decay may not show. So an arborist often uses the tomogram to choose where to drill and checks key areas with resistance drilling. Both are combined with a visual assessment. The results are one input to the arborist's risk assessment and do not settle the question by themselves.

Question 36

What is increment bore sampling?

Accepted Answer

Increment bore sampling takes a thin core of wood from the trunk with a hand-drilled borer, so the tree stays standing. The core is about 3/16 inch (about 5 millimetres) across. Counting the growth rings on the core estimates the tree's age, and the core shows whether the inner wood is sound or decayed. It also gives a rough history of the tree's growth and its current vigour. That is why increment bores are used in tree risk assessments and forest inventories.

Question 37

Can you test logs and poles as well as live trees?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Timber testing applies to live trees, logs and poles. It measures wood density and finds internal defects such as cracks, cavities and decay. That helps show whether a tree can be kept safely and whether wood is fit for construction or other uses.

Question 38

Does a dead tree always have to be removed?

Accepted Answer

Not always. A standing dead tree can be good wildlife habitat if it is wind-firm with a sound shell and root system. The Wildlife Tree Committee of BC defines a wildlife tree as any standing dead or live tree with special characteristics that provide valuable habitat. Examples include nest cavities, feeding holes, loose bark, broken tops and large branches. A wildlife/danger tree assessment shows whether the tree is a hazard to people or property and whether it can safely stay. In many municipalities, removing a dead protected tree still needs a permit.

Question 39

When does a tree need cabling or bracing?

Accepted Answer

Support may help a mature tree with storm or vehicle damage, an awkward lean or a weak union. A weak union is a weak point where two stems, or a branch and the trunk, join. Support only helps if the tree's condition is not too far advanced. Dynamic (flexible) systems go in the crown and connect branches with ropes and straps, letting limbs move. Static (rigid) systems use cables or rods bolted through the wood, which is more invasive but holds limbs more firmly. Oakstead assesses whether support is right and specifies the system, and installation is referred to vetted local partners. Systems should be inspected from time to time as the tree grows.

Question 40

What is Air Spading?

Accepted Answer

Air Spading is digging with a jet of compressed air instead of a shovel or machine. An Air Spade is a pneumatic (air-powered) tool that directs high-pressure, supersonic air into the soil. It loosens and removes soil and stones from around tree roots without cutting them. Oakstead performs Air Spading itself. We use it to expose roots for inspection and to check roots where digging or construction is planned near protected trees. We also use it to trench through root zones for utility lines and to loosen compacted soil. What we find goes into tree health assessments, tree protection plans and written recommendations.

Question 41

Does Air Spading harm the tree's roots?

Accepted Answer

Air Spading removes soil without cutting roots, and it does far less harm than digging with machines or metal tools. It is not completely harmless. A controlled study in the Arboricultural Journal found some bruising and bark stripping on roots 5 to 20 millimetres across, and bark loss on the very finest roots. It found no measurable effect on tree growth over two years. University of California and United States Forest Service sources recommend air excavation over machine digging because it keeps the root system whole.

Question 42

Do I need an Air Spade, or will a shovel do?

Accepted Answer

For most small digging jobs, a shovel works fine. An Air Spade is better suited to larger projects, densely rooted areas and work near valuable or protected trees. There, cutting roots with metal tools could put the tree at risk. Because the tool can be dangerous if mishandled, it should be used by a trained professional.

Question 43

Can Air Spading help a tree in compacted soil?

Accepted Answer

It can. Compacted soil squeezes out the air that roots need. Signs include a thinning canopy, slow growth and water pooling on the surface. Air Spading can loosen compacted soil in the root zone. Oakstead normally recommends then spreading compost over the area, mixing it in and finishing with mulch. That follow-up soil work is referred to vetted local partners. Acting early works best, because a tree in advanced decline can be hard or impossible to bring back.

Question 44

Do I need a tree protection plan for a development permit?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. Many municipalities in Greater Victoria require a tree protection plan when development may affect protected trees. Requirements differ, so check with yours early. Oakstead prepares tree protection plans for development permit applications. Architectural drafting for the project is referred to Dot Cross Design, owned by Caspar Gescher, while Oakstead provides the arborist input.

Question 45

What is the difference between a tree protection plan and a tree management plan?

Accepted Answer

A tree protection plan focuses on keeping retained trees healthy while a site is designed and built, for example by setting tree protection zones. A tree management plan is broader. It records the trees on a site and sets out which will be kept or removed and how they will be protected during construction. It also covers how they will be cared for or replaced afterward. Municipalities often ask for one of these before protected trees are removed or affected. Oakstead prepares both, starting from $1,450 for a single lot with up to 5 trees.

Question 46

When should I talk to an arborist about my building project?

Accepted Answer

Before you finalize your site plan, whatever the size of the project. An early site visit from an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist lets you plan around protected trees. You can set tree protection zones while the design can still change, which avoids costly redesigns or permit delays later.

Question 47

Do I need fencing around trees on a building site?

Accepted Answer

Fencing is often required around a tree protection zone (TPZ), the area around a tree, including its root zone, that is protected during construction. The zone is fenced or otherwise protected to prevent soil compaction and root damage. On development sites, Saanich requires fencing around the zones of protected trees and future planting sites. Esquimalt defines a tree protection barrier as a sturdy, continuous fence at least 1.2 metres high. It must stand outside the tree's drip line (the ground below the outer edge of its branches). Sidney bans placing fill, using heavy equipment and removing soil in a protected tree's root zone. Oakstead plans TPZs as part of tree protection plans.

Question 48

What does a project arborist do during construction?

Accepted Answer

A project arborist oversees work near protected trees while a site is built. Oakstead monitors construction sites and oversees the installation of above- and below-ground utilities where trees may be affected. We use Air Spading to expose roots where digging must avoid damage, and provide written reports and sign-off letters as required. Any branch or root pruning is referred to vetted local partners. Supervision visits are $325 each, or $1,150 for a package of four.

Question 49

Do I need an arborist before clearing a lot for a house?

Accepted Answer

In most areas with tree bylaws, yes. Each tree usually needs to be assessed by an arborist. The arborist looks at how the building footprint, driveway and utility trenches affect it, and identifies protected trees. The surveyor is generally required to locate all trees on the property survey, which the arborist uses to judge impacts. Trees can be removed once the tree cutting permit is issued. Oakstead supports the application. The removal and any required replacement planting are referred to vetted local partners.

Question 50

Does Oakstead do home renovations or build decks?

Accepted Answer

No. Oakstead does not do construction. Construction and renovation projects are referred to CSC Current Solutions Contracting Inc. CSC is owned by Justin Curran, an Oakstead shareholder with no operational role. Architectural design, planning and drafting are referred to Dot Cross Design, owned by Caspar Gescher. Oakstead's role is arborist consulting. We assess the trees on your site and prepare any tree protection plan or arborist report. That way, footings, trenches and structures can be planned around important roots.

Question 51

Do I need a permit for a deck, addition or garden suite?

Accepted Answer

Possibly, so check with your municipality and raise it early with the firm doing the work. Some decks, additions and renovations need a building permit, and the rules differ by municipality. Tree rules can apply too. In Victoria, some building permits must include tree information and may need a tree permit. These include permits for an accessory building, such as a garden suite. They also include an addition over 10 square metres, not counting decks, patios and balconies. If protected trees are involved, Oakstead can prepare the arborist report or tree protection plan.

Question 52

How much does an arborist report cost?

Accepted Answer

A permit report for a single tree starts at $450. A report for 2 to 5 trees starts at $750, plus $75 for each tree over 5. Prices are in Canadian dollars before GST (Goods and Services Tax), and we confirm the price for your site when we quote.

Question 53

How much does a site consultation cost?

Accepted Answer

A site consultation is $225 for up to one hour on site with verbal advice. That amount is credited to a report you order within 30 days. Hourly consulting or plan review is $150 per hour. Prices are before GST. Estimates for a scope of work are free; the $225 site consultation is a separate paid advice visit.

Question 54

How much does a tree risk assessment cost?

Accepted Answer

A Level 2 (basic) tree risk assessment starts at $495, plus $150 for each extra tree. An advanced Level 3 assessment, which can include resistograph testing and sonic tomography, starts at $1,200. Both are done by an arborist with the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). Prices are before GST.

Question 55

How much does a tree protection or management plan cost?

Accepted Answer

A tree protection or management plan for a single lot with up to 5 trees starts at $1,450. Larger sites are quoted. Prices are before GST.

Question 56

How much does project arborist supervision cost?

Accepted Answer

A supervision visit is $325, or $1,150 for a package of four visits. A letter of assurance or protection barrier sign-off is $195, or is included in a protection-plan package. A post-construction or security-release letter is $295, including the visit. Prices are before GST.

Question 57

How much does a tree appraisal cost?

Accepted Answer

A tree appraisal starts at $650, before GST.

Question 58

Do you charge for travel?

Accepted Answer

Our price list has a $75 flat travel charge for sites in the Cowichan Valley, Sooke and the Highlands.

Question 59

Do your prices include municipal permit fees?

Accepted Answer

No. Permit fees, securities and replacement-tree costs are set by each municipality and paid to it, separately from Oakstead's fees. For example, Esquimalt's application fee is $30 for the first three trees and $5 for each tree after that. Victoria charges no fee for some permits, such as pruning only. Most other Victoria tree permits have a fee based on lot size. It is $50 for a lot up to 2,000 square metres and $100 for a lot over 2,000 and under 4,000 square metres. For a lot of 4,000 square metres or more, it is $250 for each 4,000 square metres.

Question 60

What is a tree inventory?

Accepted Answer

A tree inventory is a record of the trees on a property. It is usually a numbered tally with each tree's species, diameter and condition. It can add risk assessments, reporting and a management plan for pruning or other care. Surveys are led by Jon Heinrichs, a provincially certified Silviculture Surveyor, and are shaped to the purpose of each project.

Question 61

Who needs a tree inventory?

Accepted Answer

Development projects with trees routinely need one, and inventories also help stratas, businesses, campuses, parks and larger properties. On a development site, the inventory shows which trees need protecting and feeds the arborist report and tree map. Stratas and other owners use it to plan care, set budgets, plan new planting, respond to pests and record what was done.

Question 62

Why would I need a tree appraisal?

Accepted Answer

A tree appraisal puts a dollar value on a tree. It is needed for damage and insurance claims, trespass and other legal disputes, tax purposes, development impact assessments and property valuation. Oakstead uses the method developed by the Council of Tree & Landscape Appraisers (CTLA), and adapts it to each case. We are trained in this method through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Appraisals start at $650.

Question 63

Should I get trees assessed before buying a property?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is worth doing. A site visit before you buy, or before you finalize a landscape design, shows the health and long-term outlook of the existing trees. It also shows how they fit your plans. In a walk-about consultation, Oakstead identifies what is growing on the land, assesses its condition and recommends care, or removal where needed.

Question 64

How can I reduce wildfire risk on my property?

Accepted Answer

Start with a property vegetation management plan. It assesses your trees, plants and layout, and finds concerns such as excess fuel, vulnerable species and overgrowth near buildings. It then recommends steps to create defensible space: an area around buildings with less to burn. Typical steps include removing deadwood and flammable vegetation, thinning trees and removing their lower branches. Choosing and placing plants carefully also makes fire less likely to spread toward buildings. Oakstead prepares the plan and refers the work on the ground to vetted local partners.

Questions and Answers About Tree Permits, Arborist Reports and Costs

Tree permits and bylaws