Main bylaws of the City of Longueuil (arr. Greenfield Park) regarding trees

Tree Removal Maintenance Planting

Tree Removal

It is prohibited to cut one or more trees with a diameter of 5 cm or more, measured at breast height (1.3 m above the highest point of the ground adjacent to the trunk), or a conifer with a height of two (2) meters or more, without first obtaining a certificate of authorization (tree cutting permit) issued by the City of Longueuil, Greenfield Park borough.

Furthermore, to obtain the certificate of authorization for tree cutting, an expert report signed by a forest engineer, an agronomist, an arborist, or any other professional deemed appropriate will be requested to certify that each tree to be removed is in one of the following situations:

• Dead or affected by an incurable disease;
• A source of danger to the health or safety of citizens;
• Likely to cause a nuisance;
• Infested by a disease or an insect;
• The tree causes or is likely to cause significant damage to public or private property, and no alternative solution can prevent these impacts. Aesthetic concerns regarding private property are not considered in the application of this bylaw;
• It constitutes an obstacle to public utility construction or infrastructure and no alternative solution exists;
• It constitutes an obstacle to the use or realization of a construction and no alternative solution exists;
• In the case of a project for the construction or expansion of a main building, the tree is located within a certain perimeter;
• It is located less than 2 m from a foundation wall to be replaced, repaired, or demolished;
• It compromises the construction, operation, maintenance, or replacement of a public service network (such as energy transmission, telecommunications, sewers, or water mains), or a private underground infrastructure. In the case of a French drain or a private underground pipe, this condition applies when the tree is located less than two meters from the element concerned;
• The ground level adjacent to the tree must be modified by fill or excavation of more than 200 mm, either to allow gravity drainage of rainwater or runoff, or to carry out soil stabilization work;
• The tree is located on a portion of land undergoing soil decontamination work.

Anyone who fells a tree must dispose of the removed tree residues in a manner that avoids any spread of disease or infestation.

Each tree felled in the Greenfield Park borough without first obtaining a cutting permit from the City of Longueuil constitutes an offense and is subject to a fine.

Removing or Pruning an Ash Tree

It is prohibited to fell or prune an ash tree (species of the genus Fraxinus) in Greenfield Park borough between March 15th and October 1st of the same year, except in the following cases:

• The ash tree constitutes a threat to the health or safety of persons or property;
• The ash tree makes it impossible to carry out a construction, use, development, or work authorized by the City.

Disposal of ash tree residues:

Anyone who fells or prunes an ash tree must dispose of the ash tree residues as follows:

• Between October 1st and March 15th, ash tree residues can be taken to the Grande-Allée Eco-center or the Marie-Victorin Eco-center.
  Branches or trunk pieces with a diameter not exceeding 20 cm can be chipped on-site within 60 days following cutting into chips not exceeding 2.5 cm on at least two sides;

• Between March 16th and September 30th, branches or wood pieces that could not be chipped must remain on-site until October 1st before being moved to eco-centers or to a company that can dispose of them safely.
  During this period, branches or trunk pieces with a diameter not exceeding 20 cm can be chipped on-site within the following 60 days in chips not exceeding 2.5 cm on at least two sides;

It is prohibited from October 1st to March 15th to store ash tree residues that have not been chipped on-site for more than 60 days.

Between March 15th and October 1st of the same year, it is prohibited to transport ash tree residues outside the limits of the lot where the tree targeted by cutting or pruning work is located, in order to avoid the spread of the emerald ash borer.

Anyone who contravenes the City of Longueuil's bylaw commits an offense and is liable to a fine between $300 and $1,000.

Grant for Ash Tree Felling

The City of Longueuil provides financial assistance for the cutting of dead ash trees on their territory. To be eligible for this grant, the applicant must be the owner of the building/residence and the work must be carried out by an arboriculture company. Furthermore, the tree to be cut must have a minimum diameter of fifteen (15) centimeters measured at thirty centimeters from the ground.

The amount of financial assistance paid corresponds to $150 per tree depending on the cost of the cutting work, up to a maximum of $450 per building/residence.

For more information on this subject, we suggest you consult the City of Longueuil website. You can fill out the financial assistance form and send it to the following email address: dau.permis-inspections@longueuil.quebec.

Certificate of Authorization (Tree Cutting Permit) for Tree Removal

The cost of the permit is established based on the reason for cutting the tree:

The permit is valid for a duration of 12 months from its issuance.

To apply for a tree cutting permit, the following information is required:

• The expert report from an arborist, forest engineer, agronomist, or other professional deemed appropriate.
• Location certificate indicating the location of the tree(s) to be cut or a sketch;
• Tree diameter, species, and the number of trees to be cut;
• Images clearly justifying the reasons for cutting as well as a brief description;
• Complete contact information of the applicant and the owner;

Several means are at your disposal to obtain your permit:

• You can submit a certificate request online by accessing this link: online request
• You can also appear in person with all required documents at the Direction de l’aménagement et de l’urbanisme at 156 Churchill Boulevard, in Greenfield Park borough;
• You can contact the Direction de l’aménagement et de l’urbanisme directly at 450 463-7311 to make an appointment.

For any questions regarding the certificate of authorization application (tree cutting permit), you can contact the Direction de l’aménagement et de l’urbanisme at 450 463-7311 or communicate with them online through Mon portail citoyen or at the following email address: 311@longueuil.quebec.

Maintenance

The pruning and trimming of any tree must be done in accordance with the following conditions:

• The natural shape of the tree must be preserved;
• A minimum of 80% of the total volume of branches must be preserved.

Tree topping is prohibited.

Any tree hiding a traffic sign, a traffic light, or that is harmful to road or pedestrian visibility must be pruned or, if no other solution is possible, removed.

Any action likely to cause damage to a tree, its roots, or its branches is prohibited.

When trees located in the street right-of-way need to be pruned or if they are damaged by wind, ice, or snow, simply contact the Direction des travaux publics of the City of Longueuil and select the contact information for the Greenfield Park borough.

During construction work, trees preserved on-site must be adequately protected.

Planting

A tree must be planted and maintained for every 125 square meters of lot area on each lot in the City of Longueuil, Greenfield Park borough. Each lot must have a minimum of two trees. For the purposes of this calculation, the area occupied by the building footprint is subtracted from the total lot area.

A large-growth tree must be planted and maintained at least every eight (8) linear meters:

• On a lot adjacent to a street, a pedestrian path, or a park to form an alignment;
• Around the perimeter of a parking lot with 8 spaces or more.

When the planting of a large-growth tree is required by the City following a tree cutting, the following specifications are required:

• For a deciduous tree: the replacement tree must possess the following characteristics:
  • A diameter of 5 cm and a height of 3.5 meters at the time of planting;
  • Reaching a minimum height of 10 meters and with a crown diameter of at least 6 meters at maturity. Specifically considered large and wide-spreading trees are non-fastigiate/columnar species of sugar maples (acer saccharum) or Norway maples (acer platanoides), lindens (tilia sp.), oaks (quercus sp.), or any other species of similar dimensions. Fastigiate varieties of the latter can be considered as large and narrow-spreading. These varieties meet the minimum height requirements but do not satisfy the minimum crown diameter requirements.
• For conifers, the replacement tree must be at least 2 meters in height and reach a minimum height of 10 meters at maturity.

Although the planting of a large and wide-spreading tree is required, it may be permitted to plant a smaller-spreading tree when it is located above underground infrastructure or within three (3) meters, measured horizontally, of a public utility network or aerial connection. It is recommended to obtain prior approval from the City to confirm if specific site conditions justify the planting of a smaller-spreading tree.

In the event that the presence of public utility services or public infrastructure prevents the planting of the required trees, the tree must be planted elsewhere on the lot.

Following a tree cutting, tree replacement is not required if the number of trees remaining after cutting is equal to or greater than the minimum required by the municipality or if at least one tree is present in the front yard setback.

Each lot in the Greenfield Park borough must feature a diversity of tree species, according to the City of Longueuil’s diversity standards. When planting trees on a lot, a minimum diversity of species must be respected based on the number of trees required by regulations. Thus, for a minimum of 3 trees or fewer, at least two different species must be planted. When the required number is 4 to 8 trees, a minimum of three species is required. Finally, for nine trees or more, at least four distinct species must be planned, including a minimum of 20% conifers. Hedge vegetation is not counted in the calculation of the number of trees required on the lot.

Every tree, hedge, or shrub must be replaced when it is dead—meaning more than 50% of its crown no longer shows vegetation—or when it has been removed. No replacement is necessary if the minimum number of trees remaining on the lot is equal to or greater than the minimum required.

In the City of Longueuil, Greenfield Park borough, it is prohibited:

• To plant an ash tree (Fraxinus);
• To plant a tree at a distance of less than 1.5 meters from a fire hydrant, service entry, public street lamp, traffic sign, or any other public utility service;
• To plant a tree of any of the following species within 5 meters of a main building, a public street right-of-way, a connection to a sanitary, storm, or water sewer network, a water supply well, or a wastewater treatment system:

The planting of ash trees (Fraxinus), European Buckthorn, and Glossy Buckthorn is prohibited.

Work Near Hydro-Québec Power Lines

We can undertake cutting and pruning work only near telecommunication wires or low-voltage wires. Please note that we are not authorized by Hydro-Québec for work to be performed near medium-voltage power lines and near electricity distribution networks. For more information on this subject, we suggest you consult the Aerial network section of our website. You will also find the procedure to help you find a company mandated by Hydro-Québec for this type of service.

City of Longueuil (Greenfield Park borough)

4250 de la Savane Road
Longueuil, Quebec
J3Y 9G4
Phone: 311
Phone: 450 463-7311 (from outside Longueuil)
longueuil.quebec

Please note that the information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and has no force of law or legal value. For further information or to verify current regulations, please contact the municipality.