Tree Services in Surrey, BC
We serve Surrey's diverse communities from South Surrey to Guildford, providing professional tree care for residential and commercial properties.
Neighbourhoods We Serve in Surrey
Our Services in Surrey
Tree Care in Surrey
Surrey's rapid growth means many properties have mature trees near new construction requiring professional assessment and management.
Common Tree Species
In Surrey, we frequently work with:
- Douglas Fir
- Western Red Cedar
- Big Leaf Maple
- Paper Birch
- Cherry Trees
- Oak
Our team has extensive experience with the unique challenges of tree care in Surrey, including working on steep terrain, managing large mature trees, and navigating local bylaws and permit requirements.
Tree Bylaws in Surrey
Quick Reference
30cm+ DBH
Any size in watercourse setback zones
Typically 2 trees per tree removed
Up to $20,000 per tree
Real-World Scenarios
Five common situations, answered specifically for Surrey
The situation
Your boulevard tree has been dropping branches onto your roof after every windstorm. The trunk is on the city's road allowance -- their tree, not yours, and you cannot legally touch it. Here's how to get the city to act.
In Surrey
This is the city's tree -- file a hazard service request through Surrey's 311 system.
- Surrey's Parks Operations handles a large volume of requests -- clear documentation matters
- Use the City's 311 portal or call 311, with photographs showing how close the limbs are to your roof
- A written hazard assessmentA formal arborist report documenting the specific risk. from Root Down will make your file stand out and move faster
The situation
A crack has been working across your driveway and one slab has lifted noticeably -- enough to catch a foot on a dark evening. The roots of a large tree alongside are clearly responsible. Before anything can happen to the tree, you need to know if it's protected under your city's rules.
In Surrey
Surrey's own bylaw names 'within 2 metres of a foundation or driveway' as a valid reason -- this is a strong application.
- Surrey protects trees 30 centimetres or more across the trunk; a permitWritten city approval required before the tree can be legally removed. is still required
- An arboristA certified tree care professional. report documenting what the roots are doing adds weight to an already strong case
- Replacement treesNew trees the city requires after a removal -- usually two per tree removed. are required as part of the approval
- Stump grinding is not regulated separately
The situation
At the back of your yard a row of alders has grown up along a creek bank, and some are starting to lean toward the property. You want to thin them out. This is the most regulated situation of the five -- land near a creek follows stricter rules, and federal fisheries law adds a layer on top of whatever the city decides.
In Surrey
Near a creek, every tree needs a permitWritten city approval required before the tree can be legally removed. regardless of size.
- Surrey has extensive riparian zoneThe protected strip alongside a creek or wetland where stricter rules apply. setbacks where the standard size threshold disappears
- Each tree needs individual assessment -- an arboristA certified tree care professional. report and environmental assessment are both required
- Federal fisheries lawThe Fisheries Act gives the federal government authority near fish-bearing waterways. applies across Surrey's many fish-bearing waterways
- Surrey's Development Services handles these -- allow significant lead time
The situation
The big fir at the corner of your yard didn't leaf out this spring. By midsummer it's certain -- it's dead. Most cities treat this as a faster case, but a permit is almost always still required, and you'll need a written arborist confirmation to get it.
In Surrey
Dead trees are an accepted basis for a removal permitWritten city approval required before the tree can be legally removed., but replacement treesNew trees the city typically requires. are still expected.
- A written arboristA certified tree care professional. confirmation that the tree is dead or poses an immediate hazard is required
- Surrey typically still requires replacement treesUsually two per tree removed, even for dead trees. -- but can work with you if on-site planting isn't possible
- Stump grinding is not regulated separately
The situation
There's a Western Red Cedar in your yard that was old when the neighbourhood was subdivided -- the trunk is about 600 centimetres across, roughly the span of two parked cars side by side. Some roots have lifted a few patio stones and branches are pressing toward the house. You'd like it gone.
In Surrey
Removal will not be approved -- Surrey's maximum fine for unauthorized removal is $20,000 per tree.
- A removal permitWritten city approval required before the tree can be legally removed. will not be granted regardless of the reason you give
- Heritage designationA formal process giving a tree permanent legal protection. is a real possibility at this size
- Crown reductionCareful pruning that reduces canopy size while preserving the tree's structure. is the appropriate path
- Root Down can assess the tree and develop a pruning plan for your specific concern
Bylaw rules change. Verify current requirements directly with Surrey before starting any work. Root Down can help assess your situation and navigate the permit process.
Need Tree Service in Surrey?
Get a free estimate for your tree service needs.
778-999-9511Request Free EstimateWhy Choose Us
- Local Surrey Experience
- Licensed & Insured
- ISA Certified Arborists
- Free Estimates
Ready for Tree Service in Surrey?
Call for your free, no-obligation estimate
Free estimates • No obligation • Same-day response