This week, the City of Colwood’s decision to introduce a new interim Urban Forest bylaw for the city met with mixed reactions.
The idea is that people will need a permit to remove any protected tree on public or private property, and they may be required to plant replacement trees if the permit is approved.
Examples of protected trees
- Trees with a diameter of 20 cm or greater when measured at chest height (1.4 metres above the base of the tree), or
- Trees with more than one stem at 1.4 metres above grade and the combined diameter of its two largest trunks or stems is 20 centimetres or greater. or
- Trees with evidence of nesting birds, or
- Trees that do not meet the size requirements but were a condition of a plan or permit approval, or
- Trees that form a hedge that is greater than 5 meters high, or
- Trees on all City owned lands including boulevards, streets, parks and open spaces.
How to get a Tree Management permit
A Tree Management Application can be found either online or in person at Colwood City Hall at 3300 Wishart Road.
The application for a tree management permit costs $75 and, upon approval, allows the removal of one tree. Each additional tree will cost another $75.
This bylaw brings Colwood up to the tree protection standards of other municipalities, like Victoria, Esquimalt, Oak Bay, Saanich, View Royal, and Sidney.
Do you have suggestions on what could be done to improve the bylaw?
Send an email to pvanbuskirk@colwood.ca to join the Task Force that will be reviewing it.
