Protection of Trees on Private Property

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Consultation has concluded

General graphic of a tree

PROJECT UPDATE:

In February 2022 Newmarket Council has officially approved its Private Tree Protection By-law that will require property owners to obtain a private tree removal permit from the Town if they wish to remove a tree from their property that is greater than 20 centimetres in diameter, measured at 1.4m/140 cm from the ground. Thank to all residents and stakeholder that provided their input.

Property owners will be subject to a fine if trees are removed, destroyed or injured without a permit. When a tree on private property is approved for removal, the property owner will have the option to replace the tree with new plantings, or pay cash-in-lieu to the Town. There are no fees for trees that are dead, dying, or hazardous, however a permit must still be obtained to remove the tree.

Learn more at newmarket.ca/privatetreeremoval

As Newmarket grows it is important to help keep as many trees as possible. We would especially like to keep mature trees since they provide the most benefits and have the most value. Please join this discussion on the value of mature trees and how a tree on your property contributes benefits to all of Newmarket. Feel free to share your opinions on the value of trees in Newmarket and how trees can best serve the Newmarket community.

We want to know: What is the best way to protect trees on private property?

Get involved by:

  • telling us your stories,
  • putting a pin on the map,
  • completing the survey, and
  • sharing your ideas about how to protect trees!

PROJECT UPDATE:

In February 2022 Newmarket Council has officially approved its Private Tree Protection By-law that will require property owners to obtain a private tree removal permit from the Town if they wish to remove a tree from their property that is greater than 20 centimetres in diameter, measured at 1.4m/140 cm from the ground. Thank to all residents and stakeholder that provided their input.

Property owners will be subject to a fine if trees are removed, destroyed or injured without a permit. When a tree on private property is approved for removal, the property owner will have the option to replace the tree with new plantings, or pay cash-in-lieu to the Town. There are no fees for trees that are dead, dying, or hazardous, however a permit must still be obtained to remove the tree.

Learn more at newmarket.ca/privatetreeremoval

As Newmarket grows it is important to help keep as many trees as possible. We would especially like to keep mature trees since they provide the most benefits and have the most value. Please join this discussion on the value of mature trees and how a tree on your property contributes benefits to all of Newmarket. Feel free to share your opinions on the value of trees in Newmarket and how trees can best serve the Newmarket community.

We want to know: What is the best way to protect trees on private property?

Get involved by:

  • telling us your stories,
  • putting a pin on the map,
  • completing the survey, and
  • sharing your ideas about how to protect trees!

Tell your story

Please share with the community your tree story. 

How has a tree impacted your life? Good or bad. 


Thank you for taking the time to share your story with us. This will help inform how we progress forward with the protection of trees on private property

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
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    Private property, private decision

    by Scmgee, about 2 years ago

    Private property is just that...private. If the town wants to rule in preventing tree removal by owner then the town should pay for the care and maintenance of the tree and any damage it causes. Young home owners coming into an already established subdivision may have no interest or knowledge in caring for trees on their property or covering the cost of damage they do. Mature trees are beautiful and needed but only if grown in right place. Subdivisions where houses have tiny property does not make sense to have huge trees that take up all the property and do... Continue reading

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    Are we serious about our environment?

    by TedB, over 2 years ago

    It is a well known fact that trees help our environment and quality of life.. Trees also provides the unique characteristic of a mature neighbourhood in Newmarket.

    I hear arguments from some property owners that they have the absolute right to cut down trees and restricting this right infringes on their property rights. If this is true then we should eliminate a majority of laws we have now because they infringe on personal rights over communal rights. I don't think that is how we want to live in Newmarket.

    It is about time that Newmarket implements a law to protect... Continue reading

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    More realistic plantings.

    by McRobbie5, over 2 years ago

    The town should make an effort to plant more animal friendly trees and shrubs. Why plant a regular tree that doesn’t produce anything but shade when you could put an apple, pine, or oak tree in its place. These trees will provide food/forage for many birds and small mammals making it easier for them to coexist with us.

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    Hail the developers and stick it to the home owners.

    by Archival, almost 3 years ago

    The easy way out for the town is to put the onus on home owners meanwhile developers are allowed to demolish anything in their way whether it be old growth tres , rare trees or old dwellings. Already too many trees have been lost this way. All new houses and developements should be vetted by the planning department in order to save trees of relevance.

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    Private Property

    by Trent , about 3 years ago

    Hi,

    I’m just going to remain objective here. Regardless if I want to leave trees or remove them, on my property, it is my right to determine what stays and goes. I pay plenty of taxes and I purchased this property for my family and I. It is mine. If I want to remove a tree, I do not see how some nosy neighbour has any right to tell me that I can’t.


    This is a very dangerous and intrusive conversation as far as I am concerned. What I do on my property as long as it isn’t hurting someone... Continue reading

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    Mulock farm

    by Anton, about 3 years ago

    We have to protect trees! For example area along Yonge street in Newmarket. 

    It’s, all most, don’t have green zone, only buildings and plazas. 

    More cars, less fresh air around.

    Let’s make like this, cut tree, grow new one! 

    Don’t cut without permit!

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    Shoart Term gain and Long Term pain

    by Icare, about 3 years ago

    The future is being sacrificed in the interests of developers who currently buy lots in mature areas, tear down existing affordable houses and clear cut to make it easier to build their large houses and keep their businesses going. It is ironic that the federal government is undertaking to finish planting the 50 million trees pledged by the former provincial government, in order to do something about climate change, but the Town allows the removal of trees. All you have to do is pay some money and you have permission to remove trees in a Designated Woodlot. The health benefits... Continue reading

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    Trees in Newmarket

    by Glenn, about 3 years ago

    Protection for trees in Newmarket that exist already is great!

    That said I see the town of Newmarket planting trees that will never exceed 3-5m in hight. Yes this is appropriate in certain areas. That said we need to focus on planting trees that will achieve an treed canopy that will be 20m in hight. These are the pieces that will consume up to 10gal of weather a day, lower summer temperatures by 2-3 C.

    New developments need to have a by-law that forces the planting of NATIVE TREE spices in a minimum of 50% of the yards.

    As a... Continue reading

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    A Slippery Slope

    by new1, about 3 years ago

    No, this by-law is not right. Private property is private property.

    I love and have planted thousands of trees. I am the 5th generation of my family to live in the town and I grew up in the old part of town. The trees are wonderful and most people do not cut them down; instead, they work hard to maintain them. I do not see a problem that requires the removal of private property rights.  

     This is still a free country and your property is yours. If someone wants to decrease their own property value by cutting down their trees... Continue reading

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    Preserve mature trees

    by Green Trees, about 3 years ago

    When I was a child, I loved to gather the keys from the maple trees on our property.  I would throw the keys up in the air and watch them turn into mini helicopters as they fell to the ground!  I treasure these memories.

    I am a resident of Newmarket.  I am very worried about some of my fellow residents cutting down mature trees on their properties.  We need to preserve as many trees as possible.  Mature trees offer many benefits to us, including helping to sequester carbon from the atmosphere, thus helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.

    ... Continue reading

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