A new tree protection bylaw in Qualicum Beach provides some form of protection for most trees from being chopped down or altered. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

tree bylaw

‘We’re tip-toeing into this one:’ tree removal bylaw takes effect in Qualicum Beach

May 19, 2023 | 7:53 AM

QUALICUM BEACH — While it’s no longer open season in Oceanside to chop down trees on private property, a newly enacted bylaw offers some flexibility.

Town Council recently endorsed a Tree Protection Bylaw, which introduces a permitting system for the removal and alteration of all trees at least 30 centimetres in diameter at chest level, along with nine types of trees considered “special species.”

The Town’s director of planning Luke Sales said the bylaw offers “a softer” introduction regulating tree removal, which is regulated in many other Vancouver Island communities and elsewhere in the province.

“Rather than hitting them cold with a very rigorous bylaw, we’re tip-toeing into this one,” Sales told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Under the bylaw, protected trees deemed by a qualified Tree Risk Assessor to be hazardous can be removed without a permit.

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A maximum of one protected tree every two years can be chopped down on private lots one acre or smaller in size in Qualicum Beach, while greater flexibility is in place for larger acreages.

Two replacement trees must be planted and maintained for each tree removed during the permitting process.

Sales said the aim is establishing a system to manage the local valuable tree canopy, which he said is heavily valued by the community.

“It puts the system in place so that as the needs evolve over time and council’s may need to regulate with a bit of a heavier hand then those tools are in place.”

He noted Qualicum Beach Council vowed to revisit the bylaw within a year, speculating changes are inevitable.

“Over the course of the year as we test these systems and get feedback from residents, arborists and tree companies — there definitely will be changes.”

The bylaw will be enforced on a complaint basis and can lead to a fine of up to $50,000.

The City of Nanaimo was an early adopter in regulating the removal of trees, which includes banning the removal of any healthy protected tree without a permit.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes