Yes, we care for our clients and their property, an additional step we take is carrying $5million Public Liability Insurance. We are also WorkSafeBC Compliant and SAFE Certified, keeping our staff safe is our number one priority. Please don't hesitate to ask for a copy.

Most light, routine pruning to remove weak, dead, or diseased limbs can be accomplished at any time during the year with little effect on the tree. As a rule, growth and wound closure are maximized if pruning takes place before the spring growth flush. Some trees, such as maples and birches, tend to “bleed” if pruned early in the spring. It may be unsightly, but it is of little consequence to the tree.

Wildlife Trees create habitat while maintaining a forest aesthetic, it can extend a hazard tree's life by up to 10 years providing valuable habitat before complete removal is necessary. Turning a hazard tree into a wildlife tree we reduce the canopy to a size that if the tree or branch was to fail no harm would be done. The top of the tree is carved to imitate a natural breakout/failure and the branches below are kept to maintain a forest aesthetic.

There are a few main factors that are taken into consideration when providing a cost for tree removal, these include tree size, condition, location and management of tree debris.

ISA Certified Arborists are individuals who have proven a level of knowledge in the art and science of tree care through experience and by passing a comprehensive examination developed by some of the nation’s leading experts on tree care. ISA Certified Arborists must also continue their education to maintain their certification. Therefore, they are more likely to be up to date on the latest techniques in arboriculture.

Although tree removal is often a last resort, there are circumstances when it is necessary for safety if the tree is dead, dying, or considered irreparably hazardous. Other circumstances include building/landscape projects or simply a tree out growing its space.

Each tree has a critical root zone (CRZ) that varies by species and site conditions. The International Society of Arboriculture defines CRZ as an area equal to a 1-foot radius from the base of the tree’s trunk for each 1 inch of the tree’s DBH (diameter at breast height).

Diameter at breast height is the standard for measuring trees. DBH refers to the tree diameter measured at 4.5 feet above the ground.

Consider these questions when assessing a tree: • Are there large dead branches? • Are there detached, hanging branches? • Have any branches fallen from the tree? • Is there loose bark on the trunk? • Are there cracks or splits in the trunk or where branches are attached? • Has the trunk developed unusually? • Are there cavities or rotten wood along the trunk or in major branches? • Are mushrooms present at the base of or under the tree? • Has the area recently been altered by construction, changes in soil level, or installations of lawns or pavement? • Has the tree been topped or heavily pruned? evaluating the seriousness of these defects is best done by a professional arborist. Regular tree care performed by an ISA Certified Arborist will provide an opportunity to identify trees that have defects and unacceptable risk levels. Once the risk is identified, steps may be taken to reduce the likelihood of an incident or damage.

Yes, we promote this where possible. Branches are chipped into arborist mulch that can be applied to paths, flower beds and under trees as a way to organically feed other trees. Wood can be left in longer lengths to be milled for lumber/live edge, bucked into firewood or simply left in a forest area to break down into the soil.

Spurs are tools used by tree climbers to access a tree for the purpose of removing it. When pruning trees it is arboriculture industry standard for tree climbers to access trees spurless. Spurs cause damage that leaves your trees open to disease, pests and decay. At Strathcona Tree Care we prune trees spurless by installing a climbing line or access platform (Bucket Truck). Make sure to ask if spurs will be used to prune your trees, ISA Certified Arborists should say NO.

In most cases, no. If you prefer to be present, we will try to accommodate your schedule. We have to be able to get onto your property and bring in equipment. Our goal is to perform tree services safely and efficiently with a minimum of inconvenience to the client.

The amount of live tissue that should be removed depends on the tree’s size, species, age, and pruning objectives. Younger trees tolerate the removal of a higher percentage of living tissue better than mature trees. Generally, no more than 25% of the crown should be removed at once, and less for mature trees. Removal of a single, large-diameter limb can create a wound that may not be able to close. Care should be taken to meet pruning objectives.

Develops a stable crown in a young tree that will lead to a mature tree being free from major biomechanical weakness. The process is to remove or subordinate branches with weak unions. A crown clean is also carried out as part of a young tree train prescription.

A process where the canopy is reduced to a size that if the tree or branch was to fail no harm would be done. The top of the tree is carved to imitate a natural breakout/failure and the branches below are kept to maintain a forest aesthetic. Natural habitat features found in wildlife trees include, cavities, loose bark, perches, witches broom, excavation & feeding holes from Birds, Animals and Insects. Wildlife trees provide valuable habitat for the conservation or enhancement of wildlife.

The process of removing a percentage of leaf area while creating an even density of foliage throughout the crown to improve air flow and light penetration in the canopy, also used to reduce wind drag and weight load in the canopy to minimize potential branch/stem failure.

The process of reducing selected parts or overall height and spread of a tree's canopy. The pruning work is carried out on the outer layer of the canopy by both removing and reducing branches back to suitable laterals no less than 1/3 the size of the branch taken, this minimizes stress on the tree while maintaining its natural form.

Removing dead, diseased and broken branches in the tree to improve tree health and aesthetics. Live branches such as water sprouts may also be removed as part of a crown clean.

Pruning to improve a tree's structure and natural form after losing part of its canopy due to weather, biomechanical weakness or poor pruning. We use a combination of crown reducing and thinning as part of a new management plan for the tree.

Pollarding starts early in a tree's life and is used to manage a tree's size. After the initial height and spread is determined the regrowth is removed every few years back to the previous pruning points to create knuckles. Retrenchment is used to manage mature trees. It’s the process of reducing the outer canopy back to the scaffold structure of the tree. Pruning using heading cuts where regrowth will form from those pruning points to create a new canopy and new management plan. This is a way of retaining a mature tree and usually for safety reasons.

The Village of Cumberland does not yet have a tree bylaw in place. There is a list of significant trees which is available at https://cumberland.ca/trees/

Town of Qualicum Beach has a Tree Preservation Area Click Here to view.

Town of Comox requires a tree cutting permit if you are planning on removing a healthy tree. The bylaw does not apply to trees with trunks less than 20cms diameter A tree cutting permit is not required if the tree is deemed to be dead, dangerous or diseased by an arborist. A certified statement from an Arborist is required as proof. The penalty for removing a tree without permission can be up to $2000 per tree. Click the link below for more information: https://www.comox.ca/government-bylaws/bylaws-enforcement/tree-management-and-protection-bylaw

Quick summary City of Courtenay Tree Bylaw: All properties within the City of Courtenay are subject to the new Bylaw, and all properties are to achieve the “Tree Density Target” when removing trees that are over a certain size. If your property is larger than an acre you will require a tree cutting permit. Protected tree species include; Garry Oak, Pacific Dogwood, Western White Pine, Pacific Yew, Trembling Aspen and Arbutus. Trees of this species as small as 0.5m in height are protected in Courtenay. There is an interactive map where you can view the number of trees required on your property. The Tree Bylaw sets expectations for retaining trees, replanting or paying cash-in-lieu to plant trees elsewhere on public land such as local parks, when trees are removed. Click the link below for more information: https://www.courtenay.ca/EN/main/community/environment/tree-management/tree-bylaw.html

The City of Powell River Tree Protection Bylaw protects and regulates the removal of trees on private and City-owned land. This means that the following activities are prohibited for protected trees, unless authorized by a permit: Cutting or damaging the roots within the drip line of a tree. This includes placing fill, removing soil, blasting, depositing harmful chemicals, placing building materials, or operating heavy equipment over the roots within a drip line of a tree. Denting, gouging, or damaging the trunk or removing bark from a tree. Altering the ground water or surface water level within the drip line of a tree. Clink the link bellow for more information. https://powellriver.ca/pages/tree-cutting-permits

Click the link to Understand the City of Parksville Tree Management Bylaw: https://www.parksville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID46atID7921.pdf

City of Campbell River does not yet have a Tree Bylaw but certain trees are protected under the Environmental Protection Bylaw including; Bald Eagle Nest Tree or Great Blue Heron Nest Tree any such tree to be cut down, trimmed, root planed, topped, modified or removed unless: a) any permit that may be required permit or approval from the Province has been obtained; and b) prior to cutting or removal, a copy of the Provincial permit is provided to an Environmental Protection Official in advance, with written notification of the intended date of cutting or removal. Trees greater than 5cm diameter at breast height (1.3m) on a Steep Slope (greater than 30% grade from the crest to the toe) or in a Steep Slope Buffer Zone (lands within 20m of the crest or toe of a steep slope) any such tree to be cut down, trimmed, root planed, topped, modified or removed, without the prior Written Approval of an Environmental Protection Official. Click on the link below for more information on City of Campbell River Environmental Protection Bylaw: https://www.campbellriver.ca/docs/default-source/planning-building-development/ocp/markup-environmental-protection-bylaw.pdf?sfvrsn=61876e08_2#:~:text=This%20bylaw%20sets%20out%20to,the%20City%20of%20Campbell%20River.

Tree Bylaw Highlights Brochure: https://www.nanaimo.ca/docs/property-development/development-applications/tree-bylaw-highlights-brochure.pdf

By Accepting a Strathcona Tree Care proposal, The Client – the person or business instructing the works agrees to/accepts the following terms and conditions. 1) ‘Notice of the Right to Cancel’ – the client has 14 days to cancel the contract (in writing) from acceptance date. 2) This proposal/estimate is valid for 30 days and take into account any ‘value’,monetary or otherwise, the arisings may have unless stated otherwise. 3) All works will be in accordance with the current American National Standard ANSI A300 where possible unless specified otherwise. ANSI A300 are the generally accepted industry accepted standards for tree care. Dimensions specified are approximate and, wherever possible, will be to the nearest appropriate pruning point. 4) In the event of a variation to the proposal as a result of: a. Amendments to works required prior to arriving on site, or b.Changes in site/ground conditions since the original visit, or c. Additional work requested/required whilst on site the proposal will be revised accordingly, either electronically in advance or in a hand written on the day of work, withagreed amendments signed by the contractor and the client. 5) Stump-grinding will be to a depth of 6-8”below the immediately adjacent ground level and will include the removal of the stump and buttress roots but will not include lateral roots unless otherwise specified. The client will advise the contractor of any underground services in the vicinity of the stump prior to starting the job. 6) All debris (inc. twigs / branches / woodchips / logs / trunks / foliage etc) will be removed from site and become the property of the contractor unless specifically stated otherwise in the proposal. 7) On completion of the works, an invoice will be raised and payment is required within the payment terms found on the invoice (unsatisfactory completed jobs MUST be immediately notified, in writing or by email, to Strathcona Tree Care within a minimum period of 24 hours.) 8) Following written/verbal instructions from the client, Strathcona Tree Care will check with the Local Municipality and/or Regional District Bylaws: a. Whether a tree permit is required. b. Whether the tree(s) are a protected species. c. Whether any other permissions/consultations are required, i.e. Water Act and Regulations, Wildlife Act 2004, Riparian Areas Regulation 2004. 9) Where works are proposed to third party trees, i.e. ‘neighbours trees’, Strathcona Tree Care will require written confirmation from the tree owner (‘the neighbours’) that the works are agreed and where necessary, that access is permitted. If works only apply to overhanging branches that can be pruned from within the client’s property then permission is not required but the neighbour should be advised where practicable (please also see 7. Above as this may also apply.) 10) Strathcona Tree Care has £5million Public Liability Insurance and a copy of the certificate is available on request. Strathcona Tree Care will operate in accordance with good industry practice, their Health & Safety Policies and Safe Work Procedures and undertake Site Specific Risk Assessments (the outcomes of which may place constraints on the site whilst works are in progress, i.e. the client can’t access their yard without prior agreement from ground staff.) 11) The site will be left clean, tidy and safe but because of the very nature of the works including the production of wood dust/wood chippings/twigs/leaves and needles etc. and the traversing of site personnel it will not be as it was prior to commencement of works. 12) If the works spread over multiple days, the site will be left appropriately and safe and as agreed with the client beforehand 13) Strathcona Tree Care will undertake the works as scheduled but is aware of/may be constrained by ecological and wildlife legislation including: Water Act and Regulations, Wildlife Act 2004, Riparian Areas Regulation 2004. These regislations require the contractor to assess the impact of the works which may result in works being rescheduled.