Surrey urges residents to avoid pruning City trees. Violations can cost up to $20,000. Certified arborists ensure urban trees stay healthy and thriving.
Surrey Calls on Residents to Protect City Trees
As the pruning season approaches, the City of Surrey is issuing a clear warning: residents must avoid pruning or cutting trees on public property. The reason is serious—interfering with City trees is not just discouraged, it’s illegal. Under Surrey’s Tree Protection Bylaw, anyone who damages or removes a City tree can face fines of up to $20,000.
Rob Landucci, Surrey’s urban forestry manager, stresses the importance of proper tree care. “Pruning cuts made at the wrong time or in the wrong spot can permanently damage a tree,” he explains. “That damage reduces a tree’s ability to provide shade, manage rainwater, and purify the air. These trees are more than greenery—they add value to our properties and support both our mental and physical well-being.”
Simply put, Surrey’s trees aren’t just part of the landscape—they are an essential part of daily life.
Why Proper Pruning Matters
While it might seem harmless to trim a branch or two, improper pruning can cause lasting harm. When a tree is pruned incorrectly, it can become weaker, more prone to disease, or even die prematurely. Even well-intentioned residents can inadvertently compromise the long-term health of a tree.
Certified arborists follow strict guidelines to ensure trees remain healthy and resilient. These experts know the right time of year, proper pruning techniques, and the exact branches that can safely be removed. Their work preserves the urban forest while maintaining safety for nearby homes, streets, and public spaces.
Surrey’s Urban Forest: A Precious Asset
Surrey is home to more than 115,000 shade trees spread across parks, streets, and public spaces. Every year, City arborists inspect and prune over 20,500 trees, averaging about 1,700 per month, to ensure the urban forest stays green and vibrant.
This careful maintenance has multiple benefits:
- Shade and cooling: Trees help reduce urban heat and make streets more comfortable in summer.
- Stormwater management: Healthy trees absorb rainwater, preventing flooding and erosion.
- Air quality: Trees filter pollutants and improve overall air quality.
- Property value: Well-maintained trees increase the appeal and value of nearby homes.
- Mental and physical wellbeing: Green spaces encourage outdoor activity, reduce stress, and create healthier communities.
In short, every City tree is an investment in Surrey’s environment, economy, and quality of life.
How Residents Can Help
While residents are urged not to prune City trees themselves, there are ways to get involved and support tree health. If you notice a tree that appears damaged, diseased, or in need of care near your home or business, you should report it to the City rather than taking matters into your own hands.
You can contact the City by calling 604-501-5050, or submit a report online through Surrey’s official portal. Before making any assumptions about a tree’s ownership, check if it’s on City property. The City’s mapping system, COSMOS (City of Surrey Mapping Online System), allows residents to search for “Park Specimen Trees” and confirm whether a tree is managed by the City.
Fines and Enforcement
The City’s Tree Protection Bylaw is strict for a reason. Anyone caught pruning or cutting City trees without permission faces fines that can reach up to $20,000. This strict enforcement ensures that Surrey’s urban forest is preserved for everyone to enjoy, now and in the future.
Landucci emphasizes, “It’s not about punishment. It’s about protecting trees that benefit the entire community. When we let professionals handle tree care, we all win—our streets stay green, our air stays clean, and our properties retain their value.”
Bottom Line: Leave It to the Experts
Trees are living assets. They provide shade, beauty, and environmental benefits that a backyard prune simply cannot replace. Surrey’s arborists are trained to keep these trees healthy, safe, and thriving for generations to come.
For residents, the takeaway is simple: don’t prune City trees. If you see a problem, report it. Let the experts handle the work. Not only do you avoid hefty fines, but you also play a part in protecting Surrey’s green legacy.
Healthy trees = healthy community. It’s that simple.
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