Arborist

There’s a lot of lingo in our industry. As Arborists we might refer to a certain practice, but to the layman they might call it something else. Here’s a breakdown of some tree care terminology. 

Let’s start with “Tree Topping”

Is that an official term? Not in the arboriculture industry.

It’s a casual term that describes the practice of cutting back large branches to stubs, often considered harmful and outdated.

Tree Surgeon – Most common in places like Australia and UK.  For the most part, ‘Arborist’ = ‘tree care professional’ = ‘tree surgeon’.

ISA Arborist – An arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture,  trained and knowledgeable in a variety of aspects of arboriculture.

Tree Pruning – The selective removal of tree branches to improve structure, health, or aesthetics.

Crown Cleaning – Removing dead, dying, or diseased branches from the crown of the tree.

Crown Thinning – The selective removal of branches to reduce density, improve light penetration, and enhance airflow.

Crown Raising – Removing the lower branches to increase clearance beneath the tree for pedestrians, vehicles, or views.

Crown Reduction – Reducing the height or spread of the tree by cutting back to lateral branches while maintaining the tree’s shape.

Crown Restoration – Restoring the structure of a tree that has been poorly pruned or damaged.

Clearance pruning – similar to crown raising and safety pruning. It’s a type of tree pruning that involves reducing branches to provide clearance from buildings, electrical wires, neighbouring trees, and other structures.

Directional Pruning – Goes hand and hand with clearance pruning. Pruning branches to direct future growth away from structures, power lines, or other areas.

Structural Pruning – Developing a strong central leader and improving branch spacing, typically for young trees.

Reduction Pruning – closely related to Crown Reduction. A technique to reduce tree height or spread while preserving its natural form and structural integrity.

Pollarding – A pruning technique that involves cutting back the tree to the same points repeatedly, encouraging dense regrowth.

Vista Pruning (or View enhancement pruning) – Pruning to create or maintain a specific view.

Deadwooding – The removal of dead or dying branches for safety and tree health.

Cabling and Bracing – Installing hardware to support weak branches or trees at risk of structural failure.

Safety pruning – or risk mitigation pruning, focuses on identifying and eliminating dead, dying, or hazardous branches

Check out these other resources

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The purpose of the Tree Protection Bylaws is to provide for the protection and preservation of trees on private property, including those that are undergoing development. If you would like to prune or remove a tree, or work in the protected zone, a permit may be required. 

What classifies as a protected tree?

You may need to apply for a tree permit if you are planning to prune or remove a protected tree on your property. Protected trees include:

• A tree with a diameter over 30 cm
• A hedge that contains any single stem with a diameter over 30 cm
• Garry Oak (Quercus garryana), Arbutus (Arbutus menziesii), Pacific Yew (Taxus brevifolia) or Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) over 50 cm in height measured above natural grade
• A replacement tree
• A tree that is protected by a restrictive covenant in favour of the City
• A tree of any size that is on a slope where the slope grade is greater than 33 per cent over 10 metres
• A tree of any size that is within 15 metres of the natural boundary of a watercourse

Protected trees in City of Victoria

Trees defined as “Protected” under the City of Victoria bylaw include

• Arbutus.
• Garry Oak.
• Pacific Dogwood.
• Pacific Yew.

Protected trees in Saanich

Trees defined as “Protected” under the bylaw. 

When a tree is defined as “Protected”, certain rules apply. For example you may require a permit to remove it, and Saanich can only issue permits for certain reasons, as per the Bylaw.

Trees are Protected for various reasons. From the tree type, size or its location, a rough guide of which trees are protected includes:

Trees Protected – when at least 2m tall or 4cm in diameter:

• Arbutus
• Garry Oak
• Pacific Dogwood
• Pacific Yew

Trees Protected when- diameter at breast height (1.4m) is 30cm or more:

• Douglas Fir
• Grand Fir
• Big Leaf Maple
• Western Red Cedar

Other ways trees are Protected in Saanich

• Any other tree with a diameter of 60cm or more.
• Any replacement tree.
• Any tree over 10cm in diameter or 5m tall located in a Streamside Permit Area.
• Any tree planted or retained through a subdivision application, development permit or other permit.
• Significant Trees as listed in the Bylaw.
• Any tree with evidence of a nest used by raptors, ospreys or herons.
• Any tree growing on Saanich-owned property.

Trees may also have other forms of protection if registered on the Land Title under a Tree or Natural State Covenant. 

Protected trees in Colwood?

• Arbutus (2m or greater in height OR 4cm or greater in diameter)
• Garry Oak (2m or greater in height OR 4cm or greater in diameter)
• Pacific Dogwood (2m or greater in height OR 4cm or greater in diameter)
• Pacific Yew (2m or greater in height OR 4cm or greater in diameter)
• Douglas Fir (30cm diameter or more)
• Grand Fir (30cm diameter or more)
• Big Leaf Maple (30cm diameter or more)
• Western Red Cedar (30cm in diameter or more)

AND

• any tree greater than 60 centimetres in diameter or more at chest height 
• a retained tree identified on a tree protection plan
• a replacement tree identified on a tree replacement plan
• a wildlife tree (with nesting birds or animals – see the FAQ on this page).

Protected trees in Langford

Langford is the only municipality of 13 in the Capital Regional District without a specific tree-protection bylaw. Earlier in 2022, Langford council rejected a motion to develop a tree-­protection bylaw, saying the city’s development permit ­process is already protecting trees and environmentally ­sensitive areas.

Protected trees in North Saanich

The North Saanich Tree Protection Bylaw, which regulates the cutting, removal or damaging of trees on private property, was adopted in 2002. Since then, North Saanich’s urban forest and the challenges it faces have evolved. The District is reviewing its Tree Protection Bylaw to align with current best practices and conditions, while ensuring its responds to our community values. The review will include establishing requirements for replacing protected trees. 

This new draft bylaws 

• Significant trees: All trees larger than 60 cm in diameter except cottonwood, red alder and willow
• Trees in sensitive areas: All trees larger than 10 cm in diameter within the steep slope and environmental development permit areas
• Protected species: Tree species greater than 10 cm in diameter, including: Arbutus, Garry oak, Pacific dogwood, Pacific yew, and shore pine
• Replacement trees: Trees planted as a requirement of a tree permit

Summary 

If you live in Victoria, your best source of more information information on this topic is the What You Need to Know About the New Tree Protection Bylaw PDF, created by the City of Victoria

Reach out

If you are concerned about a tree and think it needs to be removed please contact us and we will arrange an onsite visit to provide a free assessment of the situation and offer you practical advice about the most effective way to move forward.

The Advantage Tree Care team offers a number of tree care and arborist services to residents all over Greater Victoria and Saanich. From tree removals and pruning, to health inspections and emergency tree services, we’ve got you covered.

Daniel Chamberlain

Daniel Chamberlain is ISA certified Arborist and founded Advantage Tree Care in 2008. Dan has over 20 years of experience in the Tree Service industry, from his beginnings in New Zealand where he had previously been working as an arborist, holding the journeyman arborist qualification. As a well respected arborist in the industry, Daniel’s hard work ethic and welcoming attitude has made ATC a successful tree care company as well as a safe and fun place to work. View ISA Certified Arborist profile

Arborists have a diverse skillset to help with many different tree care challenges, including expertise with working at height from ropes, operating chainsaws, and other machinery. 

Arborists also have a good understanding of tree biology, physics and ecology with extensive tree identification knowledge, and this help us to deliver effective tree care whilst also managing and mitigating risks to people, property and trees.

Here are some of the Arborist and tree care services offered by Advantage Tree Care:

• Arborist Consulting
• Tree Diagnostics
• Tree Health Inspections
• Tree Pruning
• Fruit Tree Pruning
• Tree Removals
• Stump Grinding and Removal
• Tree Protection
• Tree Risk Assessment
• Tree Valuation
• Training and Education
• Emergency Tree Services
• Commercial Property tree services
• Specialized care for Protected Trees like Gary Oak, Arbutus, Douglas Fir etc
• Storm Damage Tree Restoration
• Tree transplanting (please inquire)
• Deep Root fertilization

How to get started?

For a quotation and onsite visit, please call 250-508-4445, or visit our contact page to send us a message.

Our friendly, professional approach allows us to work with you to ensure your expectations and requirements are met in a safe and efficient way. For all your arborist tree service needs in Victoria and beyond, give Advantage Tree Care a call. 

Daniel Chamberlain

Daniel Chamberlain is ISA certified Arborist and founded Advantage Tree Care in 2008. Dan has over 20 years of experience in the Tree Service industry, from his beginnings in New Zealand where he had previously been working as an arborist, holding the journeyman arborist qualification. As a well respected arborist in the industry, Daniel’s hard work ethic and welcoming attitude has made ATC a successful tree care company as well as a safe and fun place to work. View ISA Certified Arborist profile

To earn an ISA Certified Arborist credential, you must be trained and knowledgeable in a variety of aspects of arboriculture. ISA Certified Arborists must also adhere to the Code of Ethics that strengthens the credibility and reliability of the workforce. 

To be eligible for the ISA Certified Arborist exam, you must have one or both of the following:

• Three or more years of full-time, eligible, practical work experience in arboriculture
• A degree in the field of arboriculture, horticulture, landscape architecture, or forestry from a regionally accredited educational institute

An ISA certification illustrates that an arborist is knowledgeable about a variety of topics and arboriculture. With the certification, they can treat trees for diseases and pests and oversee storm and emergency removal. Trained to be safe and follow a code of ethics, ISA certified arborist provides high-quality care that best suits your yard. 

Looking for a qualified Arborist in Victoria, Saanich, Sidney, or Langford? Give ATC a call. We’re here to help. Call, email, or message us and we’ll get right back to you.

Learn more about tree services offered by Advantage Tree Care

Daniel Chamberlain

Daniel Chamberlain is ISA certified Arborist and founded Advantage Tree Care in 2008. Dan has over 20 years of experience in the Tree Service industry, from his beginnings in New Zealand where he had previously been working as an arborist, holding the journeyman arborist qualification. As a well respected arborist in the industry, Daniel’s hard work ethic and welcoming attitude has made ATC a successful tree care company as well as a safe and fun place to work. View ISA Certified Arborist profile

Tree lopper, tree topper, tree cutter, tree surgeon, are some commonly used terms people use to describe an arborist. However, these terms are not an accurate representation of what an arborist is or what an arborist does. 

So, what exactly is an Arborist?

An arborist practices arboriculture. Arbor is Latin for “tree” and culture comes from the Latin cultus which means “to care”. Tree care. 

Arborists are tree care professionals, who blend art, technique and science together in order to deliver effective tree care whilst also managing and mitigating risks to people, property and trees. Arborists typically work in the urban environment and are the people who balance the relationship between humans and trees.

Arborist is an overarching term that describes a variety of job roles. In order to practice as an arborist one has to have a good understanding of tree biology, physics and ecology with extensive tree identification knowledge. An arborist also needs to have in-depth skills and experience with working at height from ropes, operating chainsaws and other machinery. 

The Climbing Arborist

Depending on an individual’s preference there are several avenues through which to specialize in arboriculture. For example a climbing arborist would refer to someone who has developed knowledge in tree biology and tree physics and has trained in various tree climbing techniques, using ropes to safely access and work within a tree canopy whilst operating a chainsaw. 

They would also have a good grounding in physics with an understanding of how to safely and efficiently rig large sections of wood using ropes and pulleys to mitigate damage to people and property.

The Consulting Arborist

A consulting arborist may have chosen to study more in-depth into tree biology, soil ecology, tree health and disease and tree risk assessments, they would know how to operate tools such as a resistograph to identify decay in wood and would generally be more desk based carrying out tree surveys and preparing reports. 

Advantage Tree Care is a certified ISA Climbing and Consulting Arborist serving the Greater Victoria area. Speak with a local arborist today and tell us about your tree care project.

So what does a typical day for a climbing arborist look like? 

For starters there is no typical day, one aspect of being an arborist is that nothing is certain, things change and you need to be adaptable. Nonetheless there is a general flow to a day starting with identifying the day’s jobs and the necessary tools, equipment and skills needed to perform those jobs. We will arrive at the job-site and set up a safe working zone which would include laying out cones along the street where machinery is parked. 

Tailgate – walk-through

On every job site it is essential that a “tailgate” meeting is held, where the team come together to talk and walk through the job, laying out a plan of action and performing a hazard risk assessment as well as identifying an emergency action plan in the event of an on site accident. Safety and communication are paramount when working as an arborist for both the team and client management.  

Clear and Constant Communication

Communication with the client is integral to a successful day at work. It is not always the climbing arborist on site who has previously spoken with the client and quotes the job. Therefore, it is important to build rapport with the client ensuring that their expectations are understood and that they are clear on the work to be performed. Sometimes this can involve walking round the yard with the client discussing particular nuances of the site.

Preparing for Work

During this time the other crew onsite will have prepped tools, climbing gear and moved any property such as bird feeders that may be in the way of the trees to be worked on. It is now time for the climbing arborist to perform a visual tree risk assessment before they start climbing into the tree to carry out the work. 

This assessment identifies if there are any specific risks to the climber for example hanging branches that may fall as they ascend the tree or if there is decay or weak points in the tree that would influence how the tree work will be carried out. 

Are we Pruning, or Removing?

When it comes to a climbing arborist there are two higher level categories of tree work, tree pruning or tree removal and under each of these categories there is a wider variety of techniques, practices and sciences behind how they are carried out depending on the tree species, its health and the job description. 

What to learn more?

Learn more about tree removals or tree pruning, or check out some of our latest work on our portfolio page. If you have any questions about out tree care services, send us a message via our contact page