Arborist Consulting & Permits
Tree Protection Plans and Project Arborist Supervision in Greater Victoria
A tree protection plan sets out how protected trees will be kept healthy while a site is designed and built. Oakstead Tree & Property Care prepares tree protection plans required for development permits in Victoria and Saanich, acts as project arborist during construction, oversees utility and infrastructure installation near trees, refers any branch and root pruning to vetted local partners, provides Air Spading, and supplies written reports as required.
In plain words
A tree protection plan keeps protected trees healthy while a site is designed and built. Oakstead writes the tree protection plans that permits need. We check on the trees during building work, oversee digging near trees and provide Air Spading. Vetted local partners do any root or branch pruning.
Oakstead provides services for:
- Preparing Tree Protection Plans required for Development Permits
- Overseeing installation of utilities and similar infrastructure (above and below ground) with possible impacts to trees. Includes Air Spading by Oakstead, with any branch or root pruning referred to vetted local partners. Written reports as required.
- Planning and supervising Ecosystem Restoration projects, with the planting and other hands-on work referred to partners
- Air Spade services – low-impact soil excavation tool commonly required for removing soil around roots, or trenching in rocky ground.
Project arborist supervision during construction
A tree protection plan only works if it is followed on site. As your project arborist, Oakstead checks on the protected trees before, during and after construction.
We oversee utility and similar infrastructure installs, above and below ground, wherever they could affect trees. Where digging has to avoid damaging roots, we use Air Spading, a low-impact way to clear soil from around roots with compressed air. Branch or root pruning goes to vetted local partners, and we write reports as required.
- A letter of assurance or tree protection barrier sign-off, when your municipality asks for one: $195, or included in a tree protection plan package
- Project arborist supervision visits during construction: $325 per visit, or $1,150 for a package of 4 visits
- Oversight of digging and utility installation near protected trees
- Air Spading by Oakstead to expose roots where digging must avoid root damage
- Written reports as required
- A post-construction letter, including a site visit, to support the release of a tree security your municipality holds: $295
- Branch and root pruning referred to vetted local partners
Planning tree protection early helps avoid costly redesigns and permit delays. Prices are in Canadian dollars, before goods and services tax (GST).
See all arborist service prices on our pricing page.
Oakstead does not do the construction itself. Construction and renovation projects are referred to CSC Current Solutions Contracting Inc., which is owned by Justin Curran, a shareholder in Oakstead with no operational role. Architectural design, planning and drafting are referred to Dot Cross Design, owned by Caspar Gescher.
Tree Protection Plans prices
- Tree protection plan or tree management plan (single lot, up to 5 trees)
- From $1,450 per plan
- Larger sites are quoted.
- Project arborist supervision visit
- $325 per visit
- 4-visit package: $1,150.
- Letter of assurance or protection barrier sign-off
- $195 per letter
- Or included in a tree protection plan package. A letter of assurance is a letter from an arborist that some municipalities, such as the City of Victoria, ask for when work is planned in a tree's root zone. A tree protection barrier is a sturdy fence put up around a tree that is being kept during construction. The sign-off confirms the barrier is in place.
- Post-construction or security-release letter
- $295 per letter
- Includes the site visit. A tree security is money your municipality may hold as a guarantee when a permit requires replacement trees or requires protected trees to be kept. Some municipalities may ask for a report from an arborist before they return it.
Prices in Canadian dollars, before GST (Goods and Services Tax), updated . See all arborist service prices
Tree Protection Plans: frequently asked questions
Do I need a tree protection plan for a development permit?
Many municipalities in Greater Victoria require a tree protection plan when a development may affect protected trees. Requirements differ by municipality, 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, while Oakstead provides the arborist input.
What is an Air Spade used for?
An Air Spade is a low-impact excavation tool that uses compressed air to remove soil around tree roots without damaging them. It is commonly used for root inspections, trenching through root zones for service lines, and digging in rocky ground.
Can an arborist supervise utility work near my trees?
Yes. Oakstead oversees installation of above- and below-ground utilities and similar infrastructure where trees may be affected, including Air Spading to expose roots, refers any branch and root pruning to vetted local partners, and provides written reports as required.
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We respond to every request. Serving the Saanich Peninsula, Greater Victoria and the Cowichan Valley.