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Trees play an essential role in our urban landscape. They contribute to residents’ quality of life, improve air quality, reduce heat islands, filter certain atmospheric pollutants, mitigate urban noise, and provide shade and more pleasant spaces for residents. They also contribute to our “Garden Suburb” aesthetic.
The Town places great importance on the health and safety of its urban forest. Public trees are therefore monitored regularly to ensure their proper development, structural integrity, and positive contribution to the environment. However, despite these proactive measures, trees remain living organisms subject to natural forces. Weather events such as ice storms, high winds, severe storms, or prolonged drought can weaken trees or expose structural deficiencies that were not previously apparent.
Trees located on public property (street, park, municipal land) are maintained by the Town. Trees located on public property—including streets, parks, and other municipal land—are maintained by the Town. When a tree is planted, the Town ensures its watering and monitoring during the first year to promote proper establishment and root development.
If you observe an issue with a public tree (such as a broken branch, a leaning tree, or signs of decline), we invite you to complete the form below so that Public Works can assess the situation.
Tree pruning helps maintain proper tree structure, reduce the risk of breakage, and prevent branches from interfering with infrastructure, buildings, or electrical networks. Pruning work is carried out by specialized contractors in accordance with recognized arboricultural practices.
Interventions may take place at various times of the year, depending on needs identified during routine inspections. If you believe that a public tree requires pruning, please complete the form below. Requests are assessed and scheduled according to priority, with urgent situations that pose a risk to public safety or property always addressed first.
Public trees are inspected regularly by qualified professionals to assess their health and level of risk. The Town conducts periodic, territory-wide inspections of the urban forest to evaluate the overall condition of public trees.
In addition to these general inspections, specific assessments may be requested from external certified arborists when a tree raises particular concerns. These inspections may be initiated following observations made by municipal staff in the field or reports submitted by residents.
These evaluations take several factors into account, including:
The Town also applies recognized arboricultural risk assessment methodologies, including TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification), to evaluate the level of risk associated with a tree. This approach is based on three main components:
Risk = Probability of failure × Probability of impact on a target × Severity of consequences
The results of this analysis help guide appropriate interventions, which may include continued monitoring, pruning, corrective measures, or, in certain cases, tree removal.
The removal of a public tree is always considered a last resort. It may be necessary in certain situations, particularly when:
In such cases, the decision is based on an assessment conducted by an external certified arborist mandated by the Town, in combination with observations made by municipal teams.
The removal of mature trees can understandably generate strong reactions among residents. Trees play an important ecological, aesthetic, and emotional role in the community, and this attachment reflects the value placed on the Town’s urban forest.
Whenever possible, notices to residents (such as door hangers) are installed prior to planned work to inform them of upcoming interventions. However, in urgent situations, such as damage caused by ice storms or strong winds, advance notice cannot always be provided.
The Town regularly plants new trees to renew and diversify its urban forest. Tree planting helps to:
Residents may request the planting of a public tree in front of their residence by filling out this form.
If you wish to report an issue or submit a request regarding a public tree (pruning, inspection, or planting), please complete the form below.
Your request will be forwarded to Public Works and processed according to the nature and urgency of the situation.
In order to protect our urban forests, Montreal West’s tree by-law requires that you get authorization from the Urban Planning Manager to cut down any tree on private property with a diameter of more than 10 cm at a height of 25 cm from the ground. You must request a tree removal permit. The permit, which is free, will be granted by the Urban Planning Manager if the tree is diseased, endangering the foundation of your home, or presents a public security hazard. Any contravention of this by-law is punishable by a fine of up to $300 in addition to court costs incurred; you may also be required to replace the tree.