Pruning trees? White Rock reminds residents to take care when cutting<\/p>\n
Published 11:30 am Wednesday, March 18, 2026<\/p>\n
As warmer weather approaches, the City of White Rock is reminding residents to take care when pruning trees.<\/p>\n
Not being cautious can be costly, as damaging or cutting protected trees is an offence under Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2407, and can result in fines up to $10,000 as well as possible tree\u2011replacement requirements, the city noted in an online post.<\/p>\n
Pruning must not include:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Topping<\/p>\n
\u2022 Crown raising that reduces the live crown ratio below 65 per cent<\/p>\n
\u2022 Pruning or removing a structural root within the critical root zone<\/p>\n
\u2022 Removing more than 25 per cent of the crown in one season<\/p>\n
Improper pruning can cause longterm damage and will result in bylaw violations.<\/p>\n
All tree work must adhere to International Society of Arboriculture pruning standards, and re\u2011topping previously topped trees requires a permit, the city\u2019s post said.<\/p>\n
A protected tree is any of the following:<\/p>\n
\u2022 A tree 20 cm diameter or greater (measured at 1.4 m)<\/p>\n
\u2022 A replacement tree of any size required by a tree management permit<\/p>\n
\u2022 Any tree\/hedge\/shrub on city land<\/p>\n
\u2022 A tree with evidence of raptor use, under the Wildlife Act (including the nest of an eagle, peregrine falcon, gyrfalcon, osprey, heron, or burrowing owl)<\/p>\n
\u2022 Arbutus, Garry Oak, or Pacific Dogwood of any size<\/p>\n
The city recommends hiring a licensed and certified arborist, especially for large trees, complex pruning, or any work near the critical root zone.<\/p>\n
To perform tree work in White Rock, a business must hold a City of White Rock tree services business license, issued only to businesses with proof of ISA certification.<\/p>\n
Intermunicipal business licenses and city\u2011issued landscape gardening business licenses are not sufficient for performing tree work in White Rock.<\/p>\n