The City of Laval aims to increase its canopy index to 27% by 2035 (23.4% in 2019), as described in its Urban Forestry Plan (PDF in French, 8,3 MB), 1 of the 3 plans that make up the Blue-Green Infrastructure. The canopy index corresponds to the surface area of the projection on the ground of trees and shrubs over 3 m in height.

To achieve this, the City has committed to better diversify its plantings and to plant a minimum of 5,000 large trees per year in parks and on streets. Other initiatives are also being implemented, notably with certain organizations, as well as a cyclical maintenance program for the existing urban forest.

Laval residents can also contribute to increasing the Laval canopy by planting new trees and protecting theirs.

Regulations concerning trees

Authorization for tree planting or maintenance on your property is not required, but it is forbidden to plant, maintain or cut down a tree in the public right-of-way.

However, note that a certificate of authorisation is required before cutting down a tree located outside the public right-of-way. Since the coming into force of CDU on November 11, 2022, it is mandatory to obtain a certificate of authorization to cut down a tree on private property, no matter where it is located on your property (front yard, side yard, back yard, waterfront, etc.). 

For further information concerning the by-laws concerning trees, please view the consolidated by-laws.

For more information on tree bylaws, visit the Code de l'urbanisme (article 410 and 2069) (PDF, 18,4 Mb)

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Trees occupying a right-of-way

The City of Laval is responsible for planting, maintaining and felling trees on a public right-of-way, or the part of a lot adjacent to a public road, located on a property but owned by the city. A right-of-way can vary in size from one street to another and can measure up to 10 m or more. Please refer to your certificate of location to get an accurate measurement. For further information, please view the page entitled Trees in Right-of-Way Areas.

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Planting and Canopy

In order to plant a new tree on your property after receiving a felling permit or to be eligible for our subsidy program, you must ensure that your tree is among the species recommended , some of which are eligible for funding by the City of Laval. To view the list of recommended species or learn more about the subsidy program, please go to the page entitled Planting Trees. However, please note that it is prohibited to plant trees on a public right-of-way.

Le choix de l'arbre et de son emplacement, 1,95 Mo (in French)

Bien planter son arbre, 1,95 Mo (in French)

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Maintenance (pruning)

A permit is not required to maintain (prune) your trees, except if they are located on a public right-of-way. However, it is prohibited to cut branches, roots or parts of a trunk on or near a tree, with the effect of shortening its lifespan.

What shortens a tree’s lifespan?

These following actions, carried out on the above-ground or underground portion of a tree, can result in its death within 2 and 6 years.

• Removing more than 50% of the living branches.
• Sectioning more than 40% of the brace roots by uprooting or cutting.
• Covering the root system with 20 cm or more of backfill.
• Any action causing more or less continuous incisions in the bark, cambium or wood of a tree over more than 50% of its trunk circumference.
• The use of toxic products.

In certain cases, these actions can be considered a disguised form of felling.

Overpruning trees

Pruning is the action of cutting the branches of a tree using recognized practices with a specific objective. The standards for best practices (BNQ 0605-200) stipulate that no more than 20% of a tree’s dripline should be pruned. Any action leading to the loss of 25% or more of the dripline is considered overpruning and is thus prohibited.

Nos arbres urbains - En faire un bon entretien pour bénéficier longtemps de leurs bienfaits, 6,04 Mo (in French)

Les racines – Mieux les comprendre pour mieux les aimer, 5 Mo (in French)

Travaux en vue? Protégez vos arbres, 779 ko (in French)

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Felling trees on a property

Property owners are required to get a certificate of authorization for the felling of a leafy tree 30 mm or 3 cm in diameter or more and of any conifer 150 cm high or more, regardless of the location of the tree in the field. The application form for a tree-felling permit is available below.

The felled tree must be replaced with a new tree before the date shown on the permit.

Permit fee

A fee of $79 per felled tree will be applied to ensure that the proper felling procedure was observed. Please note that a permit is required to fell an ash tree. However, the tree-felling permit is free of charge.

Valid reasons for felling a tree

• The tree is dead
• The tree is in a state of irreversible decline
• The tree must be felled to limit the spread of a disease or an invasive exotic pest
• The tree poses a danger to public safety or property due to one or more major structural weaknesses, making it impossible to perform corrective arboriculture work.
• The tree must be felled in order to build or develop a structure requiring the issuance of a permit (renovation, expansion of a curb cut, etc.)

Tree-felling permit

Tree-felling along the riverbank permit

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Collection of tree branches, stumps and trunks 

Collection services differ based on who prunes the branches or fells the tree:

• Collection by the city: Municipal crews usually cut branches or trees that are diseased (mainly ash trees) or that occupy a right-of-way. The collection is carried out by the public works department. Residents should usually allow for a period of 7 to 10 days for the collection. Delays can vary considerably, depending on the season and the weather (strong winds, glazed frost, etc.)


• Collection by a pruner: Pruners are responsible for collecting the branches they cut. It is up to the resident to ensure that the pruner provides this service, however.
  


• Collection by a resident:
• Organic waste collection: Branches are accepted in the organic waste collection, but certain criteria apply. Please view the page on organic waste for further information.
  
• Garbage collection: Tree stumps, branches and trunks are accepted in the garbage collection, but certain criteria apply. Please view the page on garbage collection for further information.
• Debris sites for dry materials: Tree branches, trunks and stumps within Laval city limits are accepted at debris sites under certain conditions. Fees may also apply. Please view the page on debris sites for further information.

In all cases, if the situation involves the branches or trunk of an ash tree, the pruner or resident can directly contact 311 to benefit from the free pick-up service offered by the city. Under normal circumstances, residents should allow for a period of 7 to 10 business days before the collection is carried out. Delays can vary considerably, depending on the season and the weather (strong winds, glazed frost, etc.)

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