The City of Nanaimo protects its urban forest through the Management and Protection of Trees Bylaw 2013 No. 7126. This bylaw helps maintain canopy cover, wildlife habitat, stormwater management, and the character of our neighbourhoods. Many everyday tree jobs on private property are allowed without a permit, but certain trees and situations require one. Removing or heavily pruning the wrong tree without approval can result in significant fines.

​This guide explains the rules in plain language so Nanaimo residents can make informed decisions. Always verify the latest requirements with the City, as bylaws and processes can be updated. For complex situations, a professional assessment from our team is strongly recommended.

You generally do NOT need a permit if:

• You are removing or pruning up to four non-significant trees that are 6 cm (about 2⅜ inches) or larger in diameter at breast height (DBH) in a single calendar year on your property.
• The trees are not classified as significant, heritage, or wildlife trees.
• The work is not in a Development Permit Area (DPA), watercourse setback, or other restricted zone.
• You are not removing a City tree or working on municipal land.

You likely NEED a permit if:

• You want to remove more than four trees ≥ 6 cm DBH in one year.
• The tree is a significant (landmark) tree based on species and size.
• The tree is listed as a heritage tree or protected as a wildlife tree.
• Work is required as part of development, subdivision, or construction.
• The tree is in a watercourse leave strip, steep slope, or other Development Permit Area.
• You plan extensive pruning or topping of a protected tree.

Non-native (ornamental) trees are typically not subject to the same significant-tree size thresholds as native species, but other rules (DPAs, nesting season, etc.) can still apply. When in doubt, check with the City or have our certified arborists evaluate the tree.

Diameter at Breast Height is measured at 1.4 meters (4 feet 7 inches) above the ground.

1. Measure the circumference of the trunk at that height.
2. Divide by 3.14 (π) to get the diameter.

• Example: A circumference of 31.4 cm ≈ 10 cm DBH.

If the tree forks below 1.4 m, measure each stem separately or follow City guidance for multi-stem trees. Photos and measurements help when applying for a permit or requesting an assessment. We'll gladly do this work for you if you prefer.

These native species become “significant” once they reach the minimum diameter listed below. Removing or extensively pruning them usually requires a permit.

Rocky Mountain Juniper, Garry Oak, Pacific Crabapple, Black Hawthorn, Western Dogwood | gains "significant" label at 10 cm |

Western Yew, Pacific Willow, Hooker’s Willow, Sitka Willow, Bitter Cherry, Cascara | gains "significant" label at 15 cm |

Western White Pine, Shore Pine, Trembling Aspen | gains "significant" label at 20 cm |

Douglas Maple | gains "significant" label at 40 cm |

Western Hemlock, Arbutus | gains "significant" label at 50 cm |

Sitka Spruce, Douglas Fir, Grand Fir, Western Red Cedar, Black Cottonwood, Bigleaf Maple | gains "significant" label at 80 cm |

Source: City of Nanaimo Tree Bylaw highlights and Schedules (PDF).

• Heritage Trees: Specific trees of historic or cultural value are listed by species and location in Schedule A of the bylaw. These receive the highest level of protection.
• Wildlife Trees: Trees that provide nesting or habitat for protected species (for example, bald eagles or herons) under the provincial Wildlife Act. Special rules apply, and work during nesting season is heavily restricted.

If you suspect a tree falls into either category, contact the City’s Urban Forestry staff or have our arborists assess it before any work.

If a Certified Arborist (or Certified Landscape Horticulturist) determines that a tree, limb, or root is diseased, damaged, or hazardous and poses a risk that cannot reasonably be mitigated by pruning or other practical means:

• You may proceed after receiving written approval from the City’s Director.
• Standard arboricultural practices must be followed.
• If a significant tree is removed, replacement planting is normally required.
• There is typically no fee for a permit authorizing removal of a confirmed hazardous tree.

​This process protects public safety while still requiring professional documentation. We'll take the paperwork off your hands if you like. We literally do this all the time.

Applications are submitted to the City (forms are available on nanaimo.ca under Urban Forestry / Tree Removal Permit). You will usually need to provide:

• Property details and ownership information
• Purpose of the work
• Tree locations, species, and sizes (often with a simple plan or photos)
• In some cases a Tree Management Plan

Typical fees (confirm current amounts with the City):

• Application fee: $50
• Per non-significant tree (≥ 6 cm): $10
• Per significant tree: $100
• Maximum total fee: $2,500
• Hazardous tree permits: usually no fee

​Replacement requirements often apply. The bylaw sets ratios based on the size of the removed tree and whether it is a street tree or in a natural area. Replacement trees must generally be maintained for at least two years. Bonds may be required in development situations.

The City can refuse an application if the primary reason is to maintain or enhance private views, or for certain other reasons listed in the bylaw (including impacts on City or Crown trees, or conflict with riparian regulations). Safety, tree health, and overall urban forest goals are given higher priority.

Navigating the bylaw is easier with local experience. Our certified arborists can:

• Accurately measure and identify trees
• Assess whether a tree is significant, hazardous, or exempt
• Prepare the documentation needed for permit applications or hazard approvals
• Recommend the least-impact solutions (pruning, cabling, or selective reduction) when full removal is not the best option
• Perform the work safely and in compliance once approvals are in place
• Advise on suitable native replacement trees that support Nanaimo’s canopy goals

​We have served Nanaimo and surrounding communities for decades and understand both the practical realities of Island trees and the City’s requirements.

​Ready for a free on-site assessment? Contact us at (250) 800-3824 or through our online form. We will help you understand your options clearly and keep your property safe and compliant.

• City of Nanaimo Urban Forestry page (includes links to all tree-related documents)
• Tree Removal Permit Application form (PDF)
• Tree Bylaw Highlights Brochure (PDF)
• Management and Protection of Trees Bylaw 2013 No. 7126 (full consolidated bylaw)
• Contact: Urban Forestry Coordinator (current details available on the City of Nanaimo Urban Forestry page)

​Disclaimer: This page provides general information based on publicly available City of Nanaimo materials as of the latest research. Bylaws, fees, forms, and processes can change. It is not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements directly with the City of Nanaimo and, where needed, obtain professional advice from our certified arborists before undertaking tree work.

"What!?" That's what someone who has never lived around a lot of trees might ask if you told them too many trees could be bad for your house. "What? You can never have too many trees!" While that's easy to say, the truth is that having too many trees can be bad for your house if you do not upkeep them and provide the proper maintenance required to having a lot of trees around your home.

Some easy examples of maintenance required by having trees is raking the lawn, dealing with more insects and pests, dealing with pollen on the car, dealing with sap on the driveway, dealing with fallen branches and bird poop everywhere. Yes, having trees around your home adds a lot of responsibilities, but none of these responsibilities I mentioned so far are necessarily bad for your home. The culprit we're going to talk mainly about today, the biggest responsibility every home owner has if they live under a bunch of trees, is the damage trees cause to your roof. And trees cause damage to your roof in a plethora of ways.

So, we can all agree having trees all around your home, while it's beautiful, results in many more chores for the dwellers to achieve each year, such as raking and cleaning bird poop. But if your roof is under a tree canopy, which causes shady, moist areas on your roof for fungi and lichen to grow undisturbed, then we're no longer talking about mere annoying chores. If you have so many trees that moss, lichen, algae, and other fungi are spreading across your roof shingles, then we're talking about something much more serious than annoying chores. Yes, we're now talking about possibly expensive roof repairs if the problem is not delt with accordingly.

To make this long story short, having too many trees can be horrible for the health of your home's roof if you let the leaves and debris collect with moss and fungi on your roof shingles. Moss has a hard time growing in direct sunlight, and that's why tree cover, or spots of shade on your roof caused by tree canopies overhanging your eaves and gutters, is the cause of this phenomena. The solution is where tree service experts like us come into play. We're often called in to remove branches and trees that are overhanging people's roof, to reduce the risk of moss growth as well as to remove the risk of damage to your home by falling branches. It might look cool if all the trees around your home are leaning over your roof with beautiful branches, but these branches can become dangerous in a wind storm, and so it's best to prune and remove dangerous trees.

When all the trees that are overhanging your roof are removed, the trees still standing tall nearby might be blocking the sunlight from your roof, though, and so this would mean you still have a risk of moss, lichen, and other fungi from spreading and damaging your roof shingles. Some home owners deal with this problem in a way that means you don't have to go out and cut down all those trees. We recommend having a good balance of sunlight and tree cover on your property, for privacy, diversity, and wildlife, but it's still possible to prevent damage to your home even if your house is surrounded in tall trees, and this is done by simply keeping up with the maintenance. If you hire a professional roof cleaning company once or twice a year that should be enough to keep most moss off your roof and therefore avoid permanent roof damage. This is a reasonable option because some people love living around a bunch of trees, even if it means they have more chores to do every year. And if you decide not to cut back or remove the trees allowing moss to riddle your roof, then cleaning your roof and trimming the trees back will be a necessary task to do every year to avoid damage to your home. Therefore, in other words, the biggest risk to your home is not the trees or the moss per se but rather you failing to do your annual chores. So get to it!

If you're in Nanaimo BC or a surrounding area and want help trimming back your trees, then contact Tree Service Nanaimo today. We'll be glad to help!

Because we've been serving lower Vancouver Island with combined decades of experience, our opinion of who the best landscaping company around here is has settled and crystalized in our minds and is now undeniable. When it comes to doing all the landscaping services that a tree service company in Nanaimo BC like ours CAN'T do, like retaining wall construction, pond installation, etc., there are nearly countless options. You could go to a local Facebook group marketplace and hire a recent immigrant, or you can scour Yelp reviews. If you're reading this, take it from us: those options won't get you the magnificent results you'll find from hiring a company called Larix Landscape. And don't just take our word for it. Look at the image below, courtesy of Larix Landscape, to see for yourself just how incredibly beautiful their work is.

As you can see from this photo, this landscaping company does a great job at making use of different plants to create a wide variety of colors for designing gardens. This isn't the only reason we think they're the best. They're the best because they also serve most locations around lower Vancouver Island, including Nanaimo. They also specialize in every type of service needed to create any type of commercial or residential landscape project of your dreams. We highly recommend them. So you can keep looking in the phone book or reading testimonials on Reddit, or you can take our advice and hire who we think is the best.

Unveiling the True Cost of Tree Service in Nanaimo BC

Because the cost of tree service depends on what type of tree service you require, we broke this article down into three sections: (1) the cost of tree removal, (2) the cost of tree trimming, and (3) the cost of stump grinding.

Section 1: The Cost of Tree Removal

As the seasons change and the winds whisper through the trees, homeowners in Nanaimo BC often find themselves faced with the need for tree removal. Whether it's due to safety concerns, disease, or simply the desire for a change in landscape, the cost of tree removal can vary based on several factors.

Factors Influencing Tree Removal Costs:

Larger and more complex trees generally require more labor and equipment, impacting the overall cost.

Trees in tight spaces or close proximity to structures may demand specialized techniques and additional labor, influencing the final price.

Diseased or damaged trees may require careful handling and disposal, affecting the overall cost.

Average Cost Range for Tree Removal in Nanaimo BC:

The cost of tree removal in Nanaimo BC typically ranges from $500 to $2,500, with the average falling around $1,000.

Section 2: The Cost of Tree Trimming

Regular tree trimming is essential for maintaining the health and aesthetics of your trees. Proper trimming not only enhances the overall appearance of your landscape but also promotes the longevity of your trees.

Factors Influencing Tree Trimming Costs:

Larger trees with denser branches may require more time and effort to trim, impacting the cost.

Tall trees may necessitate specialized equipment and increased safety measures, affecting the overall pricing.

Trees with diseases or structural issues may require more careful trimming, influencing the cost.

Average Cost Range for Tree Trimming in Nanaimo BC:

Tree trimming costs in Nanaimo BC typically range from $150 to $1,500, with the average falling around $500.

Section 3: The Cost of Stump Grinding

After a tree is removed, the stump that remains can be an eyesore and a potential hazard. Stump grinding is a common solution to eliminate these remnants and restore the beauty of your landscape.

Factors Influencing Stump Grinding Costs:

Larger stumps require more time and effort for grinding, impacting the overall cost.

The more stumps you need to grind, the higher the total cost will be.

Stumps in challenging locations may require additional equipment and labor, influencing the final price.

Average Cost Range for Stump Grinding in Nanaimo BC:

Stump grinding costs in Nanaimo BC typically range from $100 to $400 per stump, with the average falling around $200.

Conclusion:

While the cost of tree service in Nanaimo BC may vary, investing in professional tree care is a wise decision to ensure the safety, health, and beauty of your landscape. Remember, the benefits of proper tree care far outweigh the expenses, contributing to the well-being of your property and the environment. And the staff here at Tree Service Nanaimo are always delighted to get started on your project, any time of year.

It's been a while since us here at Tree Service Nanaimo paid much attention to our social media marketing. I guess you can say we've been busy. After providing tree service in Nanaimo for the past 25 years, we've seen a lot change. Tree service has basically staid the same, but we never had Instagram when we first started out.

Since today we thought it would be a cool idea to update our photo galleries on a few places online, like our Facebook and Google Maps, we thought it would also be smart to finally make our first Instagram account. Now that we're actually using the cameras on our phones and taking cool pictures of our work, we'll post them on Instagram every so often.


You can check out and follow us on our new Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/treeservicenanaimo/ Or @treeservicenanaimo

So if you like seeing freshly trimmed trees as much as we do, we hope you enjoy. Here are some of the recent photos we took.

2023 is finally here, and the arborists at Tree Service Nanaimo couldn't be more excited to continue the great work in our tree care services. In all areas surrounding Nanaimo, like Lanstzville, Nanoose Bay, and Ladysmith our tree surgeons work diligently to make sure locals have the quality workmanship they deserve when ordering tree services.

We hope 2023 brings you many happy memories. We believe services like tree trimming can really enhance quality of life in Nanaimo, by making commercial properties neater and looking more professional, and making residential yards organized, by pruning unwanted branches and removing unwanted stumps.

​Thank you for choosing Tree Service Nanaimo for your tree care in 2023! Please consider leaving us a review on Google here.