Regulatory overview
London Tree Permits and Grants Are Different Systems
The 40 cm threshold helps identify trees that may fit the preservation grant. The 50 cm threshold is part of London’s private-tree protection rules within the Urban Growth Boundary.
TCCP size threshold
A private mature tree at or above this DBH may be eligible for preservation funding. Approval still depends on work type, timing, documentation, qualifications and available funds.
Distinctive Tree threshold
A private tree within the Urban Growth Boundary, outside a Tree Protection Area, meets the size definition. A permit is required to injure or destroy it unless an exemption applies.
Tree Protection Areas
Location can matter more than diameter
Inside a mapped Tree Protection Area, London regulates the injury or destruction of trees of any size. The City asks property owners to contact Forestry with the proposed work, and an arborist or Registered Professional Forester report may be required.
Penalty context
Use exact amounts instead of vague scare language
London’s administrative penalty schedule lists $750 for injuring and $1,000 for destroying a Distinctive Tree without a permit. A court conviction under the Tree Protection By-law can carry much higher fines, including a maximum of $100,000 in ordinary cases and additional special fines in some circumstances.
Those are different enforcement routes. A homeowner guide should not imply that every improper cut automatically produces the maximum court fine.
| Your plan | Best first source | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Preserve a 40 cm+ tree | TCCP page | Check work and professional eligibility before applying. |
| Injure or remove a 50 cm+ private tree | Private Trees and by-law pages | Confirm Distinctive Tree status and permit requirements. |
| Build or excavate near a mature tree | Tree Protection and Building Permit pages | Coordinate root protection and other approvals. |
| Work inside a Tree Protection Area | City Forestry | Rules can apply to trees of any size. |
Primary sources
Check the official rules
Program decisions are made by the City of London. These sources were reviewed on July 29, 2026.