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Tree cutting

The texts presented on this page do not in any way replace the official by-laws of the Town of Pincourt. Please be advised that the official text always takes precedence. Specific standards may apply to your situation.

Associated by-law: By-law 780, section 7 (article 78-81) - Protection, cutting and planting of trees

Permit: mandatory

For any questions or to apply for a permit, contact

Environmental Advisor 
Tel: 514 453-8981, ext. 330
Email: permis@villepincourt.qc.ca

 

  • Valid reasons for cutting down a tree

    A permit is required to fell a tree (Article 78)

    The grounds for obtaining a tree-felling permit are :

    • When the tree to be felled is dead or suffering from an incurable disease
    • When the tree to be felled is dangerous to public health or safety
    • When the tree to be felled constitutes a nuisance or causes damage to public or private property (the applicant must provide an expert report from an ISA-certified arborist).
    • When tree felling is carried out for the purpose of carrying out a construction project for which a city permit has been issued.

    In all cases, the inspector may require the applicant to provide an expert report from an ISA-certified arborist.

  • Requirements to be met

    Requirements :

    • Tree(s) must be planted after a tree has been felled. 
    • A security deposit will be required upon issuance of the permit (exceptions: dead tree)
    • All properties must have a minimum of one (1) tree per 200 square metres of lot area, with at least one (1) tree in front, excluding species listed in article 79 6o of the by-law.

     

    In the event that an owner or occupant of a property does not wish to plant a replacement tree that meets the minimum ratio, the owner or occupant will be required to pay an amount set by the by-law as a contribution to the "Green Fund".

  • Conditions to be met when planting a replacement tree

    CONDITIONS: 

    1. A replacement tree must have a minimum height of 1.83 metres and a minimum diameter of 35 millimetres measured at 1.2 metres from the ground at the time of planting. 
    2. All planting must be carried out within eight months of issuance of the permit.
    3. The owner or occupant of the property must notify the designated officer when the replacement tree has been planted.
    4. The following species are not considered as replacement trees (Article 79 6o):
    • Japanese maple
    • Common lilac
    • Weeping mulberry
    • Cedars
    • Juniper
    • Hydrangea
    • Stem trees
    • Any other dwarf or ornamental tree

    Here is the list of tree species considered as replacement trees: Tree species for replacement

  • Tree planting - Regulation
    1. Trees must be planted at least 2.5 metres from a fire hydrant, service entrance, lamppost on public property or sidewalk, and three (3) metres from the curb or pavement if there is no sidewalk.
    2. Trees must be planted at a minimum distance of 1 metre from any property line, unless authorized by the neighbor.
    3. .It is forbidden to plant a tree on the Town right-of-way unless authorized by the Town.
    4. It is forbidden to plant a tree from the list (Table 81-1) of species whose planting is restricted unless you have received authorization from the Town.
    5. It is forbidden to plant a tree from the list (Table 81-2) of invasive alien species (IAS) or prohibited species at any time.
    6. All properties must have a minimum of one (1) tree per 200 square metres of lot area, with at least one (1) tree in front, excluding species listed in article 79 6o of the present by-law

    TABLE 81-1 List of constrained species

    English name Scientific name Specific restriction
    Silver maple Acer saccharinum More than 15m from any building or conduit
    Poplar (all) Populus (all) More than 15m from any building or conduit
    Willow (all) Salix (all) More than 15m from any building or conduit

     

    TABLE 81-2 List of prohibited species

    English name Scientific name
    Chockecherry  Prunus virginiana  « Schubert »
    Hemlock maple Acer negundo
    Norway maple Acer platanoïde
    Ash (all) Fraxinus (all)
    Buckthorn (all) Rhamnus (all)
    Staghorn sumac Rhus typhina
  • Tree care (Article 80.2)

    WHAT IS PERMITTED 

    - Maintenance pruning

    • Periodic pruning to maintain a plant in good vegetative condition and encourage flowering or fruiting. 

    - Thinning pruning

    • Pruning that consists in removing part of the branches carried by the framework in order to aerate and lighten the tree crown without changing its habit.

    - Safety pruning

    • Pruning to remove dead, diseased, weak or broken branches, as well as branches that represent a potential danger to people or property.

    - Directional pruning 

    • Pruning aimed at trimming or redirecting branches likely to affect or interfere with overhead utility networks or other structures, while keeping well-oriented branches in place.

    - Sanitation pruning

    Pruning to remove dead, diseased, interfering, harmful or broken branches, etc., in order to keep the tree in good condition.  This type of pruning also includes the control of snags, gourmands and shoots. 


    WHAT IS PROHIBITED


    - Covering a tree's root system with 20 cm (8") or more of fill

    - Uprooting or cutting more than 40% of a tree's root system.

    - Topping

    o Operation consisting in cutting off the top of a tree or the entire crown.

    - Pruning 

    o Operation consisting in cutting off the twigs or branches of a tree, provided that more than 20% of the crown is removed in a single operation in the same year.

    - Covering a tree's wounds with any product that may impair compartmentalization (e.g. pitch, tar).

    - Any other operation that causes or is likely to cause irreversible damage to trees.

    - It is forbidden to intervene on a tree in the public domain, including a street right-of-way, unless authorized by the Town.

  • Protecting and preserving trees during construction (Article 81)

    Any person carrying out construction work or having it carried out who is required to preserve a tree under this by-law must comply with the following tree protection measures before the work begins and for the duration of the work: 

    Erect a 1.2-metre-high protective fence around each tree at risk of being damaged or compacted by the passage of heavy machinery, or the storage of materials or fill, which must be erected beyond the area occupied by the tree's critical root zone as defined by BNQ standard 0605-100-II/2019.

     For individual protection of tree trunks, pieces of wood measuring at least 38 mm by 58 mm must be installed to a height of 1.8 m all around the tree if it is impossible to install a protective fence or barrier.

  • Greening program