On your property, do you have a tree that you would like to have cut all the way down to ground level? Have you noticed that one of your trees is diseased or nearly dead and you’d like to remove it? Before you do anything, you should know that the municipalities regulate tree felling and only permit it under certain conditions. These regulations apply whether you live in a rural area or an urban area, whether you live in Montreal, Longueuil, on the South Shore or anywhere else in Quebec.

Do you have the right to have your tree cut down? Here are the principal cases in which a municipality will authorize tree felling.

Situations in which it’s permitted to cut down a tree

  1. The tree is dead or dying from an irreversible condition.
  2. The tree is diseased or contaminated with a fungus, and there’s no way to save it. Therefore, it represents a danger not only to itself but also to all of the neighboring trees, as it could pass the infection along to them.
  3. An insect or parasite, such as the emerald ash borer, has infested the tree. Once again, it’s vital to prevent these exotic invasive species from propagating and spreading to nearby trees. Did you know that, since 2012, more than 68,000 of the 200,000 ash trees that were on the Island of Montreal have been felled because of emerald ash borer infestation?
  4. The tree poses a personal safety risk, as it has structural deficiencies that are impossible to correct or weakened branches (because of a storm or ice, for instance) that could fall on passers-by.
  5. The tree is at risk of causing significant property damage. A tree, its branches or even its roots can pose a hazard, causing serious damage or even uprooting structures like the foundation of a home or masonry elements if the tree is too close to them.
  6. The tree is located less than three meters away from the ground where a new building, garage or other structure will be built or where an existing building will be expanded.
  7. The tree is in a place where it impedes the construction of a pool, spa, parking area, new access route, etc.
  8. In all of the above cases, you must obtain a permit from the city in order to have the tree cut down if its truck exceeds 5 cm in diameter and its height is more than 1.4 m from the ground.

Tree felling: do business with a professional

Cutting down a tree can prove to be a very dangerous operation. That’s why it’s always wise to call on the services of a company with seasoned, qualified professionals who have the necessary knowledge and skill to fell a tree safely and securely.

What’s more, professionals will know exactly when and how to cut down your tree, as well as what tools and equipment they will need to do it.

Are you thinking about having a tree on your property cut down? Call on the experts at Émondage SBP for a top-quality job.

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