Save City trees by leaving pruning to professionals
Improper pruning of trees can weaken or kill a tree, so the City of Surrey is asking residents and businesses to leave the care of trees on public property to City arborists.
Surrey, B.C. – Improper pruning of trees can weaken or kill a tree, so the City of Surrey is asking residents and businesses to leave the care of trees on public property to City arborists. Damaging and cutting of trees on City property is against Surrey’s Tree Protection Bylaw and can carry a fine up to $20,000 per offence.
“Our street trees are valuable assets and we’re committed to properly caring for them,” said Rob Landucci, the City’s Urban Foresty Manager. “As these trees grow, they will help provide shade and reduce urban temperatures, while helping to manage rainwater and clean the air – benefits that help increase property values and support our mental and physical wellbeing.”
Surrey is a leader among municipalities when it comes to sustainability and is continually working to ensure the city continues to be a thriving, green and inclusive city. There are more than 113,000 trees on City property and an additional 2,100 trees were planted last year to expand our urban forest. These trees are routinely monitored and cared for by the City’s team of certified, professional arborists who pruned more than 23,500 trees in 2024, or roughly 2,000 per month.
If a City tree near your property appears to need pruning, please call 604-501-5050 or let a City arborist know by submitting a report online. To see if a tree is on City property, check out COSMOS, the City of Surrey Mapping Online system, which provides a map that shows City trees (search for “Park Specimen Trees”). Remember, it's against the rules to cut trees on City property without permission.
For more information, visit surrey.ca/treepruning.