Brantford tree rules

A permit is required, unless an exemption applies, for a tree of any size in a protected woodlot, a Core Natural Area, a protected species listed by the bylaw, or a tree on specified development lands.

Brantford defines the critical root zone using a radius of 10 cm for every 1 cm of trunk diameter measured from ground level. Excavation, compaction and other root damage can therefore count as tree injury even when the trunk is left standing.

The City says an application includes owner/property information, authorization where applicable, an arborist report and a tree protection plan. The arborist report addresses species, size, condition, reasons for the proposed work, alternatives and replacement requirements.

If a covered tree has part of its trunk on a property line, all owners of that boundary tree, or their authorized agents, must apply. A boundary with a City-owned boulevard falls under the City Tree By-law instead.

The current bylaw guidance uses a stepped replacement schedule: 3 replacement trees for a removed tree up to 30 cm DBH, increasing by one per size band to 10 replacements for a tree 91 cm DBH or larger. Where the site cannot hold all required replacements, a contribution to the City’s Tree Replacement Fund may be required.

Published approval grounds include unsafe trees supported by an arborist, structural damage supported by an engineer, contaminated-soil remediation, and certain building/infrastructure conflicts where no reasonable alternative exists. The City can refuse an application for reasons including protected species, heritage status, nesting birds or incomplete information.