Your Tree vs the City's Tree
The first thing every Calgary homeowner should know: not every tree on your lot is yours to touch. If you have a tree near the sidewalk, boulevard, or curb — it may belong to the City of Calgary, even if it looks like it's on your property.
The Tree Protection Bylaw (23M2002) protects all trees on public land — that includes parks, medians, boulevards, and the strip between your sidewalk and the street. Under this bylaw, you cannot prune, cut, remove, or even attach a sign to a City tree without permission.
Not sure who owns the tree? Call 311 (from within Calgary) or 403-268-2489 (from outside). They'll confirm whether it's a City tree or a private tree. Do this before any work — not after.
For trees on private property, there is no specific Calgary bylaw governing what you can do. You're generally free to prune or remove your own trees. However, there are two important exceptions: the provincial elm pruning ban, and the requirement to keep your trees from obstructing sidewalks or streets.
The Elm Pruning Ban
This is the biggest one. Alberta has a province-wide ban on pruning elm trees from April 1 to September 30 every year. This isn't a City of Calgary rule — it's provincial law, enforced to prevent Dutch elm disease (DED) from reaching Alberta.
You can only prune elm trees between October 1 and March 31. Pruning during the ban period (April 1 – September 30) is illegal and can result in fines. All pruned elm wood must be burned, buried, or chipped by March 31.
Here's why: elm bark beetles carry the DED fungus. They're active in warm months and are attracted to the scent of fresh pruning cuts. If a beetle feeds on a freshly cut elm, it can infect a healthy tree — and once infected, the elm dies within a year. Alberta is currently DED-free, and the pruning ban is the main reason.
Elm pruning timeline
Elm trees have distinctive oval leaves with asymmetrical bases and a doubly-serrated edge. Calgary has thousands of elms — especially American elm along older streets. If you're unsure, ask an arborist before you cut. A wrong guess could mean a fine and a dead tree.
→ Read our full Calgary elm pruning guide — timing, identification, disposal, and Dutch elm disease.
What You Can and Can't Do
Here's a clear breakdown of what Calgary homeowners are and aren't allowed to do with trees on their property and nearby public land.
- Prune or remove trees on your private property (non-elm, or elm in season)
- Plant trees and shrubs on your own lot
- Trim branches from a neighbour's tree that overhang your property line
- Remove a stump on your property
- Hire an arborist for any private tree work
- Prune or cut any City tree without permission
- Attach signs, lights, or nails to a City tree
- Spray any City tree with chemicals (except water)
- Prune any elm tree between April 1 and September 30
- Let your trees/hedges block sidewalks or streets
- Plant trees or shrubs on City land without approval
Hedge and Shrub Rules
Calgary's Street Bylaw requires homeowners to keep hedges, trees, and shrubs trimmed so they don't interfere with pedestrians on sidewalks or vehicles on streets and alleys.
On corner lots, there's an additional rule: shrubs and hedges within the setback area cannot exceed 75 cm (about 2.5 feet) in height. This is a visibility requirement — drivers need to see oncoming traffic and pedestrians at intersections.
If your hedge is encroaching on a sidewalk or obstructing a driver's view, you can receive a bylaw complaint via 311. The City will send a notice giving you time to trim before any fine.
Construction Near City Trees
If you're planning construction, a renovation, or even a new fence within 6 metres of a City tree, you may need a Tree Protection Plan approved by the City. This applies to both residential and commercial projects.
The plan ensures that roots, trunk, and canopy are protected during construction. Damaging a City tree during construction can result in fines and an order to pay for the tree's replacement — which, for a mature tree, can be thousands of dollars.
Planning a renovation? Check for City trees within 6 metres of your project. If there are any, contact the City's Urban Forestry team through 311 before starting work.
Fines and Penalties
Calgary takes tree protection seriously. Here's what the fines look like:
| Violation | Fine |
|---|---|
| Attaching object or sign to a City tree | $100 |
| Pruning a City tree without permission | $100 – $500 |
| Removing or damaging a City tree | $500+ |
| Failure to comply with enforcement order | Up to $1,000 |
| Serious infractions (Municipal Government Act) | Up to $10,000 |
| Pruning elm during ban period (provincial) | Varies by municipality |
Beyond fines, damaging a mature City tree can lead to a replacement order at the homeowner's expense. A large tree can cost $3,000–$10,000 to replace — far more than consulting an arborist beforehand.
Wood and Debris Disposal
After pruning, you're responsible for disposal. Here's what Calgary allows:
Green cart: Branches under 6 inches diameter and 4 feet long can go in your green composting cart. Make sure the lid closes. Overflow can go in paper yard waste bags placed beside the cart.
Elm wood specifically: Must be burned, buried, or chipped by March 31. Do not store elm wood — it attracts elm bark beetles. This is a provincial requirement, not a suggestion.
Community cleanups: Many Calgary community associations host annual spring cleanups where yard waste, including tree debris, can be dropped off for free.
Do not dump tree debris in parks, ravines, or any public land. This is a separate bylaw infraction.
When to Call a Professional
You should consult a professional arborist before doing tree work if any of these apply:
You're not sure whether the tree is yours or the City's. You think it might be an elm but aren't certain. The tree is close to a structure, power line, or fence. You're planning construction near a tree. The tree is large, dead, or leaning. You've spotted signs of disease like black knot fungus, cankers, or unusual dieback.
A professional arborist can identify the species, assess health, and handle the work safely and in compliance with all bylaws. For Calgary specifically, hiring an ISA-certified arborist means you're getting someone who knows the local rules and species.
Official Sources
This guide is based on the following City of Calgary and Province of Alberta resources. Always check the official source for the most current information:
City of Calgary — Tree Protection Bylaw
City of Calgary — Bylaws Related to Trees and Shrubs
City of Calgary — Citizen-Owned Tree Care
Province of Alberta — Elm Pruning Ban
STOPDED — Society to Prevent Dutch Elm Disease
Not Sure About Your Tree?
Tony will take a look and tell you exactly what you're dealing with — species, condition, and what the bylaws allow. Free assessment, no obligation.