Are you thinking about cutting down one or more trees on your property? Whether you live in Laval, Montreal, Brossard or anywhere else in Quebec, you should be aware that tree felling is subject to regulations and must be performed by a qualified professional. Cutting down a tree on your land must be done safely and efficiently. Therefore, you must consider various factors before initiating the process, as people aren’t allowed to cut down a tree just because they feel like it. Here’s what you need to know before cutting down a tree on your land.
Regulations and the permits you’ll need
Before initiating the work, you must first follow the procedures for obtaining a tree-felling permit from the appropriate authorities in your municipality. Once you’ve submitted your application, before issuing the permit, an arboriculture inspector from your city (or borough if you reside in Montreal) will verify whether there’s a legitimate reason to cut down the tree.
Municipal regulations governing tree felling may vary slightly from one municipality to another, but in general, a municipality will authorize cutting down a tree under the following circumstances:
- The tree is dead or exhibits signs of irreversible rot or decay
- The tree is suffering from a disease, fungal contamination or infestation by an insect or parasite like the emerald ash borer, and there’s no way to save it
- The tree poses a serious risk of danger or damage to nearby people or property
- The tree is in a spot designated for the construction of a new building or outdoor facility (such as a pool) or for the expansion of an existing building
You should be aware that the following are not valid or legitimate reasons for felling a tree:
- The tree is too old, too tall or not attractive enough
- The tree shades your home, pool or land excessively
- The tree blocks your view
- The tree drops too many leaves on the ground
- The tree drops flowers or fruit
- The tree has numerous roots on the surface of the ground
- The tree attracts insects or other animals
- The tree releases large amounts of pollen into the air
If you decide to cut down a tree on your property without a permit, you may be subject to a fine ranging from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $5,000.
Call on the services of a specialized company
Once you’ve obtained a permit, call on the services of a professional tree felling team. They will perform a thorough inspection to determine the extent of the work. An expert will give you a free detailed estimate of the cost of cutting down the tree or trees, taking a number of aspects into account, including the following:
- The number of trees to be felled
- The type of wood, its condition, its age, etc.
- The dimensions of the tree
- The natural incline and curvature of the tree, which will determine the direction in which it will fall
- The various factors that could represent a challenge or hazard (power lines, garden furniture, fencing, plants, other trees, etc.)
- The layout of your property and the position of the tree (on a slope, in a back yard, near a pool, next to a building, etc.)
Based on these considerations (the risks and dangers, the direction the tree will fall, the tools to use, etc.), the professional will determine the most appropriate tree felling technique and then formulate the corresponding work plan.
For safe, professional tree felling on your property, you can count on the team at Émondage SBP.