*PLEASE BE ADVISED THIS WEBSITE HAS BEEN UPDATED AS OF JANUARY 2025*

For a step-by-step guide on the Private Tree Removal Application process, please watch the following video:

 

Private Tree Permit

A permit is required to remove, cut down or in any other way injure a tree with a diameter of 20cm (8 inches) or more on private property. The tree diameter measurement must be taken at 1.4m (4.5 feet or approximately at chest height) above ground level. It applies to the removal of 1 - 9 trees on all land use types including single family residential properties. For the removal of 10+ trees (greater than 20cm) a Site Alteration Permit is required. An application for a Site Alteration Permit, along with supporting information can be submitted to engineering@cambridge.ca.

Private Tree Exemptions

An “imminent hazard” means a tree which is destabilized or structurally compromised to an extent that an immediate danger of death, injury or structural damage exists, including, but not limited to hazards or damage to infrastructure that cannot be addressed without adversely affecting the health of the tree. In order for a tree to be considered an imminent hazard, failure of the tree has already started or is most likely to occur in the near future, even if there is no significant wind or increased load. A tree that is imminently hazardous does not require a permit or compensation however, the applicant must send a detailed Arborist report via email to forestry@cambridge.ca for review and acceptance as a hazard tree prior to tree removal.

A dead tree or storm damaged tree may be removed to reduce risk or (further) damage. Clear photos of the hazard must be submitted within 48 hours of the tree hazard abatement to the Forestry Division. If the photos do not clearly show the hazard the tree will not be exempted, and a permit will be required based on the stump size of the tree removed.

How to Obtain a Private Tree Removal Permit

You can apply for a Private Tree Removal permit online by visiting the Cambridge permits webpage.

Permit application fees are non-refundable and payable before submitting the application. Do not apply for a permit if your tree is dead or may be an imminent hazard as it may be exempt (see private tree exemption information above). Refunds will not be issued for permit applications submitted for hazard trees that are exempt from a permit.

Completing and submitting a permit application for tree injury or destruction does not guarantee that a permit will be granted.

The following items must be submitted with all permit applications:

  1. Submit your application through the Cambridge Permits Website, including the following mandatory items: 

a)    Permit Application Fee - $63.71 ($56.38 + HST). This fee is non-refundable.

b)    Clear photos of the entire tree(s) to be injured or destroyed

c)     An Adjacent Property Owner’s Consent form (if applicable) to be completed if the tree  to be injured or removed is on, or close to, the property boundary.

2. A complete application will be reviewed for approval.

3. Once approved, a request for any required compensation payments will be made to the payee on file, if you’ve indicated you will be paying cash-in-lieu for any replacement trees.

4. Pay the application fee.

5. The permit will be issued.

Note: Payment must be in the form of a certified check, bank draft, debit or credit card (MasterCard or Visa) and can be paid at the Service Cambridge counter at City Hall. Online payments only accept Visa or Master Card up to a $10,000 limit.  If submitting a Letter of Credit, please use the template provided.

You may not proceed with the injury or removal of the tree(s) until you have received the permit. More information can be found by viewing the Cambridge Private Tree By-Law (23-105).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where do the two tree by-laws apply?

The City’s Tree By-law 71-06 is applicable City-wide, and regulates the planting, propagation, preservation and removal of trees on lands owned by the municipality or over adjacent to highways under the jurisdiction of the municipality.

The Private tree By-law 23-105 is also applicable City-wide and regulates the destruction or injuring of trees on private property measuring 20cm at diameter at breast height or greater.

What is Diameter at Breast Height (DBH)? 

This is the standard for measuring trees and refers to the tree diameter, outside the bark, at breast height, approximately 1.37 metres from the existing grade of the ground adjoining the base of the trunk.  

What fees are associated with a private tree removal?

The application fee for a Private Tree Removal is $63.71 ($56.38 + HST) and is non-refundable. Additional fees may apply if you choose to pay cash-in-lieu over planting a replacement tree. The current rate for a replacement tree is $595 + HST if you are applying through the Private Tree Removal Permit, and $768.75 + HST with any development application, including the Site Alteration Permit.

What is a qualified tree professional?

A qualified tree professional means a professional holding one of the following qualifications:

  1. Registered Consulting Arborist (RCA) with the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA),
  2. Board Certified Master Arborist or Arborist Municipal Specialist with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA),
  3. Registered Professional Forester (RPF) as defined in the Professional Foresters Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c.18,
  4. Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), or
  5. Qualified Tree Risk Assessor with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).

Do I need to plant a replacement tree?

Replacement trees are required for the removal of any trees on private property measuring 20cm at Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) and greater. The number of replacement trees is based on the size of the tree being removed (see chart below).

DBH (cm) of Tree Removed

Number of Replacement Trees* Required

Cash-in-lieu Required

<20cm

0

$0

20-30cm

1

$595

31-40cm

2

$1,190

(2 x $595)

41-70cm

3

$1,785

(3 x $595)

>70cm

4

$2,380

(4 x $595)

*Replacement tree must be of a 7-gallon or greater pot size and 200 millimeters or greater in diameter.

If you chose not to plant a replacement tree on your property, a cash-in-lieu payment of $595 (2025) + HST per replacement tree is required.

Replacement Tree Planting Reserve Fund

Cash-in-lieu payments are directed to the City’s Replacement Tree Planting Reserve Fund. This fund is managed by the City for the purpose of planting trees on public property within the City of Cambridge.

Suggested tree planting species?

Replacement trees must be of a 7-gallon or greater pot size and 200 millimeters or greater in diameter. Invasive species and ‘dwarf’ varieties are not permitted.

Do tree roots cause damage to pipes and house foundations?

Generally, tree roots are not capable of penetrating solid surfaces such as house foundations or underground utility pipes. In most cases, when tree roots encounter an impervious surface, such as underground pipes or a house foundation, root growth is redirected laterally along the hard surface, or around the pipe. However, tree roots are opportunistic and can exploit existing breaches or cracks and can cause additional damage in search of additional moisture.

If you suspect that a City owned tree may be damaging your foundation or public or private underground utilities, please contact our Forestry Call Centre and our Forestry Technicians will investigate the concern.

Urban forest planning

Urban Forestry is the careful care and management of tree populations in urban settings. Forestry helps improve the environment and raises awareness about how important trees are to the City of Cambridge's infrastructure. Urban foresters plant and maintain trees, support appropriate tree and forest preservation, conduct research and promote the many benefits trees provide.

Learn about trees and yards in Cambridge.

The City of Cambridge has an Urban Forest Plan (2015 to 2034) and the Emerald Ash Borer Action Plan, both approved by Council on June 16, 2015.

Development Applications and Tree Management Plans

Developers are required to submit a Tree Management Plan and Arborist Report and follow the Tree Management Policies and Guidelines outlined is Sections 2.19 and 7.14 of the City's Engineering Standards and Development Manual.
The Arborist Report and Tree Management Plan (TMP) will inventory trees, assess their condition, note tree removals and required tree replacement compensation, and identify trees to be retained through the grading and construction process and their protection measures. City Forestry Services reviews TMPs and applicants should pay special attention to street trees that are regulated by the City's Tree By-law (City's Tree By-law 71-06, includes amendment By-law 21-068), trees that straddle property lines or are on the applicant's property but close to boundaries, and trees on neighbouring properties and whether they will be impacted by grading/construction, and proposed measures to protect them if they will likely be impacted. Applicants are encouraged to complete a TMP as early as possible to inform site design or the Zoning By-law public meeting and process, or as a required condition on a grading permit or development application.

Urban Canopy Assessment Report

In December 2013, Council received the Cambridge Urban Forest Canopy Assessment Report, Assessment Maps Part 1 and Assessment Maps Part 2, which show:

  • Cambridge has an overall canopy of 27 per cent tree coverage
  • Various neighbourhoods range in tree coverage from 5 to 47 percent
  • A further 25 per cent increase in tree coverage is possible through tree planting initiatives

The report also demonstrated that trees provide us with many valuable ecosystem services, including:

  • Energy conservation
  • Stormwater management
  • Air pollution removal

View the Canopy Assessment area mapping to see current canopy coverage, potential areas for planting and ecosystem services for 38 neighbourhoods and every lot in the City of Cambridge.

Trees and our health

Urban Forestry is also important to the City of Cambridge because mature tress provide shade, which helps protect our health. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Canada. Shade can reduce ultraviolet exposure by as much as 75 per cent and has been shown to be an effective strategy to reduce skin cancer. With increasing skin cancer rates and summer high temperatures combined with paved surfaces, the shade provided by trees (or other shade structures) is more important than ever.

Trees

Providing shade in Cambridge

The City of Cambridge Official Plan contains policies for providing shade in both private and public spaces. The City is committed to providing shade wherever possible, such as in our parks. We'll increase shaded areas in the City in partnership with:

According to the Official Plan, developers may need to participate in shade/sunlight audits and provide increased shade through:

  • Landscape Plans
  • Site Plan Agreements
  • Tree Management Processes

For more information about increasing shade in the community, view the following documents:

The Backyard Tree Planting Program
Are you thinking about planting a tree on your private property? The City of Cambridge, in collaboration with Reep Green Solutions, offers a Backyard Tree Planting Program to Cambridge residents. 
The program includes:
  • On-site arborist consultation
  • Full service delivery and planting
  • Long-term care guide
For more information and to apply, please visit Reep's website.