Tree Preservation Plans in Scarborough
The City of Toronto requires a Tree Preservation Plan as part of any building permit application where construction activity will occur within the critical root zone of a protected tree. In Scarborough, this applies to new homes, additions, garages, pools, decks and any other structure that will be built near a tree measuring 30cm DBH or more under Chapter 813 of the Toronto Municipal Code.
Our ISA certified arborist prepares Tree Preservation Plans that meet City of Toronto submission requirements and have been accepted by Urban Forestry staff. We handle the full scope: field assessment, tree inventory, condition ratings, construction impact analysis, protection specifications and fencing installation. For Scarborough properties that include TRCA-regulated land, we have experience preparing documentation that meets both the City and TRCA requirements.
When a Tree Preservation Plan Is Required in Scarborough
- New home construction on a lot with protected trees (30cm DBH or over)
- Home addition or second storey addition near protected trees
- Garage, carport, shed or accessory structure near tree root zones
- Pool, hot tub, deck or patio installation near protected trees
- Driveway expansion, repaving or new hardscaping near tree root zones
- Demolition and rebuild on lots with mature trees
- Development applications in TRCA-regulated ravine or valley areas
What Our Scarborough Tree Preservation Plans Include
We begin with a complete on-site inventory of every protected tree on and immediately adjacent to the property. Each tree is assigned a reference number, documented by species, trunk diameter, estimated height and canopy spread, and assessed for health condition and structural integrity using standard ISA rating criteria. The critical root zone (CRZ) is calculated for each tree and plotted against the proposed construction footprint.
The impact assessment examines each tree whose CRZ overlaps with the proposed construction area and assigns an impact severity rating. Trees with severe impact and poor condition are typically recommended for removal as part of the plan. Trees with manageable impact are assigned a tailored set of protection measures, which may include adjusted foundation or construction staging, hand excavation requirements in sensitive root zones, post-construction soil decompaction treatments, and mandatory tree protection fencing specifications.
Where tree removal is approved as part of the plan, replacement planting is prescribed according to the City's requirements, including species, minimum caliper size, quantity and recommended planting locations on the property.
Tree Protection Fencing Installation
Tree protection fencing is mandatory before any construction activity begins on a site with a Tree Preservation Plan. This includes before equipment arrives, before materials are staged and before demolition begins. The fencing must stay in place and remain intact throughout the full construction period.
We install the required tree protection fencing as part of our Tree Preservation Plan service. The City of Toronto standard for protected tree zones is high-visibility orange snow fence supported on steel T-bar posts, installed at the dripline or the edge of the specified protection zone, with signage identifying the zone and prohibiting entry, material storage, parking and any grade change within the fenced area.
The reason this fencing matters is not bureaucratic. A single pass by a loaded concrete truck over a root zone, even at low speed, can compact the soil so severely that fine feeder roots are destroyed across a wide area. The damage does not show in the tree's appearance for one to two growing seasons, by which time the cause is forgotten and the work is long complete. The fencing prevents that irreversible damage from happening in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the critical root zone calculated for Scarborough permit submissions?
The critical root zone is typically calculated as a radius of 15 times the tree's trunk DBH in centimetres, converted to metres. For a tree with a 40cm DBH, that gives a 6-metre radius CRZ. Any construction activity, grading, excavation, trenching or material storage within that radius poses a risk to the tree's root system and triggers the Tree Preservation Plan requirement in the permit application.
Can I build near a protected tree if I protect it properly?
Often yes. The Tree Preservation Plan process is intended to find ways to retain trees through construction, not to block projects. With appropriate foundation modifications, staging adjustments, hand excavation near sensitive roots and proper fencing, construction within or adjacent to the CRZ is often achievable. Our arborist has worked with architects and contractors on many Scarborough projects to find practical solutions that satisfy both the construction goals and the tree protection requirements.
My Scarborough property borders a ravine. Does that add requirements?
Yes. If any part of your property or the construction footprint falls within TRCA-regulated land, a TRCA permit is required separately from or in addition to the Chapter 813 process. The TRCA has its own technical standards for tree and vegetation protection in regulated areas. We prepare documentation meeting both requirements and can guide you through both permit processes simultaneously to reduce overall project timelines.
Do you install the fencing as well as preparing the plan?
Yes. We install the required orange snow fence TPZ barriers as part of our Tree Preservation Plan service. We can also install fencing as a standalone service for contractors who have an existing approved plan and need the physical barriers erected before their first site inspection.
What are the penalties for damaging a protected tree during construction in Scarborough?
Damaging or destroying a tree that was designated for retention in an approved Tree Preservation Plan is a violation of Chapter 813 and can result in substantial fines issued to the property owner and the contractor of record. The City has authority to order remediation and replacement planting as well. Proper fencing, staging compliance and our optional construction monitoring service are the most effective ways to prevent this outcome on complex sites.
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Get a Free Estimate for Tree Work in Scarborough
We serve all of Scarborough including Guildwood, Cliffcrest, West Hill, Highland Creek, Agincourt, Malvern, Scarborough Village, Woburn, Birchcliff, Cliffside, Bendale and Wexford. Our certified arborist visits your property, confirms permit requirements and provides a firm written quote before any work begins.