Tree Pruning and Removal in London, Ontario: By-laws and Timing
In London, Ontario, you need a Private Tree Permit to remove a Distinctive Tree, meaning a tree on private property with a trunk diameter of 50 cm or more measured at 1.4 m, inside the Urban Growth Boundary. Any tree in a designated Tree Protection Area also needs a permit. Boulevard trees belong to the City, and only the City can work on them. For most trees, late fall to late winter is the best time to prune. Oaks are an exception: avoid pruning them from April through November because of oak wilt.
With the leaves coming down across London, St. Thomas and Strathroy, now is the time to plan winter tree work. Here's what the rules say and how to time it.
London's Tree Protection By-law
London's Tree Protection By-law (C.P.-1555-252) applies to private property. The key points:
Distinctive Trees: trees with a trunk diameter of 50 cm or more, measured at 1.4 m above the ground, inside the Urban Growth Boundary.
Tree Protection Areas: in these designated areas, trees of any size are protected.
Permits: removing a Distinctive Tree requires a Private Tree Permit from the City. In Tree Protection Areas, contact the City at trees@london.ca or 519-661-5783. An arborist report may be needed.
Common exemptions
The by-law includes exemptions. Examples:
Dead or irreversibly declining trees, handled through a Dead Distinctive Tree permit.
Trees that pose an immediate hazard.
Pruning done according to good arboricultural practice.
Exemptions have conditions, so confirm with the City before removing a large tree. A 50 cm trunk is roughly 157 cm (about 62 inches) around. If you can wrap a tape around the trunk at chest height and it reads more than that, assume it may be a Distinctive Tree.
Boulevard trees: hands off
The strip of grass between the sidewalk and the road usually belongs to the City. According to the City of London's tree maintenance and trimming page:
The City maintains all trees on City property, including boulevards.
Residents may not work on City trees.
Trees in back lanes are not City-managed.
London's Boulevard Tree Protection By-law (CP-22) prohibits injuring or destroying a boulevard tree without written permission, with fines from $500 up to $100,000. If a boulevard tree is overhanging your roof or driveway, call the City rather than a contractor.
Why dormant-season pruning works
For most deciduous trees, late fall through late winter is the best time to prune. According to University of Minnesota Extension:
You can see the structure. With leaves gone, crossing, rubbing and weak branches are easy to spot.
Pests and diseases are dormant. Cuts can be made with less risk of pests and pathogens entering the tree.
Trees respond well in spring. Wounds begin to close when growth starts.
There are practical benefits too. Frozen ground supports equipment with less damage to your lawn and gardens, and nearby perennials are dormant.
Oak wilt: special rules for oaks
Oak wilt is a serious fungal disease of oak trees. It was first found in Canada in 2023 in the Niagara Falls area and has since been found in a few other Ontario locations.
The disease is spread by sap beetles that are attracted to fresh wounds. For that reason:
The Ontario government says the high-risk period is from the beginning of April to the end of July, and ideally oaks shouldn't be pruned through November.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency advises not pruning oak trees between April and November.
In practice, schedule oak pruning for December through March. If an oak is damaged in a storm during the risk period, talk to a professional about protecting the wound. Report suspected oak wilt to the CFIA.
Pruning vs. removal: how to decide
Not every problem tree needs to come down. Use this checklist:
Pruning is often enough when:
branches overhang the roof, driveway or wires on your property,
there's deadwood in an otherwise healthy canopy,
the tree needs clearance or light for the lawn,
structure needs correcting on a young tree.
Removal may be the better option when:
the trunk has major decay, cracks or cavities,
the tree is leaning more than before or the roots are lifting,
most of the canopy is dead,
the tree is diseased or infested and threatens others,
it's growing into a foundation or structure.
Remember to check the by-law before removing any large tree.
After removal: stumps and restoration
Taking the tree down is only part of the job. Plan for what's left:
Stump grinding removes the stump below grade so you can lawn or plant over it.
Chip and debris cleanup, so branches and chips are hauled away or left as mulch if you want them.
Filling and levelling the stump hole with topsoil once the grindings settle.
Restoring the area with sod, seed or a new planting bed.
Ask for all of this in your quote, so you're comparing apples to apples between contractors.
Planning your winter tree work
Walk your trees now while there's still some foliage, and note dead or weak limbs.
Measure trunk diameters of any tree you're thinking of removing.
Check ownership. Is it yours, the City's, or a neighbour's?
Apply for permits early if needed.
Book pruning for the dormant season, and for oaks, December to March.
Plan the cleanup. Branches, chips and stump grinding should be part of the quote.
For tips on protecting trees and shrubs through the cold months, read our post on winter care of trees and shrubs. After removal, the space can become new lawn. Fresh sod or topsoil will finish it, and our mulch is a great way to protect the roots of the trees you keep.
A local note
London lives up to its "Forest City" name, and that brings mature trees close to houses, lanes and hydro lines. Other towns in our service area have their own rules. If you're in St. Thomas, Strathroy-Caradoc, Middlesex Centre or Thames Centre, check your municipality's tree by-law before removing a large tree.
FAQ
Do I need a permit to remove a tree on my property in London, Ontario?
Sometimes. Under London's Tree Protection By-law, removing a Distinctive Tree, one with a trunk diameter of 50 cm or more measured at 1.4 m, inside the Urban Growth Boundary needs a Private Tree Permit. In designated Tree Protection Areas, trees of any size are protected. Contact the City at trees@london.ca or 519-661-5783 to confirm.
Can I trim the City tree on my boulevard?
No. The City of London maintains all trees on City property, including boulevard trees, and residents can't work on them. London's Boulevard Tree Protection By-law prohibits injuring or destroying a boulevard tree without written permission.
When is the best time to prune trees in Ontario?
For most trees, late fall through late winter while they're dormant. Branch structure is easy to see, and pests and diseases are less active. Oaks have stricter timing because of oak wilt.
When should I avoid pruning oak trees in Ontario?
Ontario says the high-risk period for oak wilt is from the beginning of April to the end of July, and ideally oaks shouldn't be pruned through November. The CFIA advises not pruning oak trees between April and November.
Is pruning a protected tree allowed without a permit?
London's by-law exempts pruning done according to good arboricultural practice. Removal, or work that destroys or seriously injures a protected tree, is a different matter. Check with the City if you're unsure.
Talk to SPM Landscape & Excavation
Thinking about pruning or removing a tree this winter? We'll look at the tree, flag anything that needs a City permit, and quote the job. SPM has served London and southwestern Ontario since 2006, is WSIB covered and carries $1M in liability insurance. Call (519) 474-0008, email spmlandscape@gmail.com, or visit us at 791 Manchester Rd, London, ON.
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