Urban Forestry

The City of Nanaimo contains a significant urban forest that is a vital part of our local heritage and community.  The urban forest includes all trees and ground vegetation found throughout the City on both private and public land.

The urban forest is a fundamental component of the City’s infrastructure. The urban forest contributes many ecological, physiological, social and economic benefits to the City, including providing wildlife habitat; shade provision and heat mitigation; storm water management; air and water quality improvements and providing our community with a connection to nature. Expanding and maintaining a connected urban tree canopy, natural areas, and greenway network is essential to our ongoing community health and wellbeing and is a key component of Nanaimo’s City Plan.

Way to Grow the Urban Forest

• Tree Voucher Program: If you're a resident of Nanaimo, you can participate in our tree voucher program. This means you can purchase a tree to plant on your property for a reduced cost. Learn more about this program and apply online. 

Recently Completed Work to Advance the Urban Forest

An Urban Tree Canopy Assessment was prepared in 2026 by PlanIt Geo, Inc. The assessment provides a detailed analysis, including a variety of landcover classifications and tree canopy. It identifies canopy cover change over the last 10 years and identifies tree planting opportunities. It shows detailed canopy distribution throughout the City, by neighborhood, schools, riparian areas and City owned property. It prioritizes planting opportunities and a detailed valuation of the ecosystem benefits that the City’s Urban Forest provides. It also identifies the tallest trees throughout the City, provides potential models for the future canopy conditions and provides conclusions and recommendations going forward.

The data collected in the Canopy Study provides us a more thorough understanding of the urban forest resource and assets that we are managing. It is a critical component of informing the development of a new Urban Forestry Management Strategy.

Other recent efforts include creation of a digital tree inventory, an Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study (2022) a canopy dashboard analysis (2024), specialized aerial photography (2025)

Future Work to Grow the Urban Forest

Urban Forestry Management Strategy Update: 

Updating the 2010 Urban Forest Management Strategy will allow the City to complete a comprehensive assessment of current urban forest conditions and evaluate Urban Forestry operations across both the organization and the community. The revised strategy will guide the stewardship of Nanaimo’s extensive urban forest assets and establish clear goals, objectives, and performance targets to support long‑term, sustainable management.  

City Plan Monitoring Strategy: 

Measurement of the urban tree canopy is already identified as an indicator in the City Plan Monitoring Strategy and tree canopy coverage is available by neighbourhood on the City’s website.  Efforts to preserve and increase the urban forest will continue to be monitored through these efforts on an annual and semi-annual basis and reported back to Council through the monitoring strategy updates and online platforms.  

Tree Bylaw Update: 

Nanaimo’s “MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION OF TREES BYLAW 2013 No. 7126” is a key document for anyone who has trees on their property.  It outlines when you need a tree removal or maintenance permit, exemptions, and defines significant trees.  The bylaw was developed in 2013 and is outdated.  The Bylaw will be updated in conjunction with the Urban Forestry Management Strategy update and will consider the Urban tree Canopy assessment findings in its’ development.  

Trees of Concern

The City of Nanaimo has an extensive urban canopy with trees throughout the park system and city streets. A tree risk and management policy outlines the roles that both City Staff and the public have in managing risk and concerns. The City of Nanaimo cannot guarantee that publicly managed trees will be healthy or safe, especially in the case of extreme weather conditions or events.

Tree Risk Reporting 

Members of the public are encouraged to immediately report any observed tree safety or maintenance concerns for trees growing on City property. Tree Risk Assessments for City-owned trees occur on a complaint basis.

Damage caused by City trees can be reported on the form below.

Tree Protection through Development

Current Application Forms for Tree Removal/Protection

• Appointment of Agent (PDF) - if required
• Tree Bylaw Highlights Brochure
• Tree Management Plan (PDF)
• Tree Removal Permit Application (PDF)
• Tree Removal Permit Information (PDF)

Related links

• Tree Planting Tips (Video)
  

Tree bonding for building permit

As part of the tree replacement requirement for new subdivisions, bonds for tree replacement are required at building permit stage. A deposit of $300.00 is taken to ensure trees are planted with a building permit, or as a required replacement tree in a tree removal permit. The trees must be >1.5m upon planting, coniferous or deciduous, and capable of growing to over 4.5m at maturity. Shrubs, dwarf trees, trees planted as a hedge, or a species commonly used as a hedge do not qualify. Fruit trees are acceptable. Once the trees are planted, they are considered protected and a permit is required if they are to be removed in the future.

Contact Us

Development Engineering
Urban Forester
250-755-4446
urban.forester@nanaimo.ca