Tree Protection Requirements
Tree Permits Coming Soon!
Coming September 2024, Tree Permits will be required for any work done within six metres of a tree on City property. This includes activities like construction, demolition or the placement of heavy equipment, vehicles or building materials near a City tree. More information on the application requirements will be posted to this webpage in the coming months. In the meantime, residents and developers should follow the existing tree protection process noted below under 'Working Near a City Tree'.
Trees on City property are valuable assets and an integral part of Saskatoon's urban forest. They provide various environmental, economic and social benefits to the community. Protecting and preserving City trees is essential to ensuring these benefits continue well into the future.
NEW! Tree Protection Bylaw
The City’s new Tree Protection Bylaw was created to protect trees located on City property (e.g., boulevards, medians, parks and natural areas) and regulate work occurring near them.
Bylaw No. 9957, The Tree Protection Bylaw, 2024 prohibits the following without prior approval from the City:
- Pruning, removing or relocating a tree on City property
- Applying pesticides or harmful chemicals either directly or indirectly to a tree on City property
- Interfering with a City tree’s access to water, air or nutrients
- Removing or interfering with a City tree’s protective barrier
- Carving into or marking the bark of a tree on City property
- Attaching any item or material to a tree on City property
- Conducting work, such as construction or major landscaping within six metres of a tree on City property
- Placing heavy equipment, machinery, vehicles or construction materials within six metres of a tree on City property, unless they are placed on a paved driveway, street or path
Prior approval from the City is not required in the following situations:
- Placing lights or extension cords on a City tree during the winter months (October to March), as long as they do not create a hazard or cause injury to the tree
- Minor landscaping such as hand digging or mowing
- Trees in back lanes
Working Near a City Tree
Whether you are a homeowner wishing to re-landscape or a developer planning to build near a City tree, you are responsible for taking appropriate tree protection measures and obtaining a Tree Protection Plan from the City. To obtain a plan, please complete the Tree Protection Plan Application Form and email it to treeprotectionplans@saskatoon.ca prior to the start of your project.
To confirm the location of City trees near your worksite, access the Saskatoon Tree Map. Zoom in and click on the tree icons for more information.
Tree Protection
Tree protection must be taken into account during the planning, design, demolition and construction stages of your project. Consideration should be given to your overall building footprint, all utility installation including water and sewer, driveways, walking paths, garages, landscaping and future tree maintenance needs.
Tree protection requirements typically include:
Protective fencing
The best way to avoid tree damage at construction sites is to set up a protective fence to act as a physical barrier to keep vehicles, equipment, and materials away from trees. For safety reasons, an underground utility check must be completed before installing the fence to ensure you do not hit any buried utilities. Construction of the protective fencing will be inspected and must be acceptable to Urban Forestry.
- Protective fencing must be constructed of either:
- a solid wood frame with orange snow fencing securely stapled to the outside; or
- snow fencing fastened securely to metal stakes spaced no more than 1 meter apart; or
- metal construction fencing.
- Protective fencing must:
- Be at least 1.2 meters high measured from the ground
- Not interfere with access to fire hydrants and sidewalks or obscure intersections and traffic signage
- Be sturdy with vertical posts driven firmly into the ground to keep it in place
- Stay in good repair for the duration of the demolition or construction project.
Tree root protection measures
Severing tree roots, compacting soil or changing the grade in the critical root zone of a tree can impact both the health and stability of a tree. Therefore, the following tree root protection measures should be followed:
- You are only permitted to excavate on one side of a tree and not within 3.0 metres of the trunk.
- If construction takes place when soil moisture levels are high, it increases compaction within the drip zone. To prevent compaction, 150mm (6”) of woodchip mulch must be placed on any area under the drip line of a protected tree if it is not fenced off.
- All exposed roots must be pruned with a sharp pruning tool to provide a clean severance of the root.
- Exposed roots must be protected from drying during construction and exposed roots must be backfilled as soon as possible.
For more information on tree protection requirements or to schedule a site meeting, contact Urban Forestry at treeprotectionplans@saskatoon.ca or 306-975-2890.
Fines
Any unauthorized excavation, removal, relocation, pruning or damage (in part or whole) of a City tree is not permitted and may be subject to penalties as per the Tree Protection Bylaw.
Questions
Still have questions? Visit Tree Protection Bylaw FAQs for answers to frequently asked questions.