Committee to consider boosting tree protection measures: bylaw recommended

City Administration is proposing the development of a new bylaw to improve the City’s ability to protect trees on public property. City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services will consider a report at its meeting December 5, which recommends the development of a new tree protection bylaw, as well as revisions to the existing Trees on City Property Council Policy, to improve the protection, growth and preservation of public trees.

“While a bylaw will help address and formalize compliance issues, the City’s enforcement approach will always prioritize education and collaboration as our primary courses of action,” says Darren Crilly, Director of Parks. “Overall, a tree protection bylaw will help to sustain the health, beauty and safety of the City’s urban forest by providing an effective mechanism to protect and preserve trees on public property for future generations.”

Protecting Saskatoon’s urban forest is one of the key action areas identified in the City’s Pathway to a Sustainable Urban Forest Implementation Plan -- approved in principle -- by Council on October 31, 2022. The plan includes multiple recommendations with specific focus on the following areas:

• develop a new tree protection bylaw for trees on City property and update existing City Council Policy No. C09-011, Trees on City Property;
• develop a formalized tree protection process that ensures clear and consistent processes for stakeholders who conduct work near public trees; and
• update and consolidate tree protection specifications for work that takes place near public trees.

Upon approval by City Council, the City will work to develop the new bylaw and revise the existing policy for Council approval in late 2023.

For more information, visit saskatoon.ca/engage and search for Tree Protection Bylaw.