Tree Protection Zone Installation in Toronto and the GTA
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Safeguard Your Trees:
Keep your trees safe during construction or landscaping with our Tree Protection Zone Installation. We set up strong barriers to prevent damage, ensuring your trees stay healthy and thrive. Don’t risk tree damage, protect them today!
Preserve the Natural Beauty of Your Environment
Protect the vitality and longevity of your trees during construction with our specialized Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) services. At Tree Doctors, we understand the critical importance of maintaining healthy trees in our urban landscape, which is why we offer comprehensive TPZ installation to prevent any potential damage from construction activities.
Why Invest in a Tree Protection Zone?
Minimize Disruption:
Ensures minimal interference with tree growth and health.
Prevent Damage:
Protects trees from construction-related injuries such as root damage, trunk wounds, and soil compaction.
Compliance with Regulations:
Helps meet municipal guidelines for construction near valuable tree assets.
Our Tree Protection Zone Installation Process" Step-by-Step Guide:
Site Assessment:
Evaluation of the site and identification of areas where trees are at risk.
Planning and Design:
Crafting a custom TPZ plan based on tree species, size, and proximity to construction.Installation: Setting up physical barriers like fencing and signage to mark the TPZ.
Maintenance and Monitoring:
Regular checks to ensure the integrity of the TPZ and the health of protected trees throughout the construction process.
Why Choose Tree Doctors?
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Tree Protection Plan (TPP)
A Tree Protection Plan (TPP) isn’t just paperwork - it’s a legal requirement and ecological strategy. Toronto bylaws require that this plan, prepared by a certified ISA arborist, accompany your construction permit if any regulated trees are within or near your site. That includes city-owned trees and even trees on neighbouring lots. The TPP must outline:
Tree species and health
Canopy spread and root risk zones
Protective fencing details
Instructions for limiting compaction, excavation, and equipment traffic
Urban Forestry won’t just review it, they’ll inspect your site to ensure it’s implemented exactly. Violations can trigger fines of up to $100,000 per tree, permit delays, or mandatory replanting.
Tree Protection Fencing & Hoarding
The physical TPZ boundary is enforced with hoarding, typically plywood, snow fencing, or chain-link, and must be at least 1.2 metres high, fully enclosing the protection zone. All sides must display "Tree Protection Zone – Do Not Enter" signage.
TPZ prevents machinery from crushing tree roots, compacting soil, or damaging trunks. In areas of active work near trees, temporary access may be allowed with protective soil layers such as mulch and plywood. Any alteration of the fencing requires municipal approval and arborist supervision.
Tree Protection Protocol
Following the protocol is about consistency, not just compliance. Here’s what that means in the real world:
Pre-construction: Arborist report and TPP submission
During construction: No entry, no storage, no trenching inside the TPZ
If TPZ access is approved, use of air spades, hydro-vacs, and root pruning must be supervised
Post-construction: Tree health reassessed before barriers are removed and deposits released
Urban Forestry inspects at every phase, and unauthorised changes can delay your entire project. This is why keeping your arborist involved isn’t just helpful — it’s essential.
Want the Full Guide? Download Our TPZ eBook
If you're planning construction or development near mature trees, there's more to know than what fits on a web page. That’s why our certified arborists put together a Tree Protection Zone eBook — a detailed, plain-language guide to Toronto’s TPZ rules, calculations, and on-site implementation. Inside the eBook you'll find:
TPZ calculation charts with real examples
Legal obligations under Toronto and the GTA bylaws
Step-by-step visuals for fencing and signage
Pro tips for contractors, planners, and homeowners
Whether you're submitting a permit or just trying to avoid a costly mistake, this eBook will walk you through what matters — and how to get it right the first time.
Download the TPZ eBook (Free PDF) (No spam. Just arborist-approved info you can actually use.)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Tree Protection Zone?
A TPZ is a designated area around a tree or group of trees where certain protective measures are implemented to prevent damage during nearby construction activities.
How to Calculate TPZ (Tree Protection Zone)?
TPZs are based on the Diameter at Breast Height (DBH), measured 1.4 metres above ground. In Toronto, the minimum size of a TPZ is determined using a fixed scale for trees under 100 cm DBH. For trees over 100 cm, the City uses a formula: 12 cm of TPZ radius for every 1 cm of DBH.
How long does it take to set up a TPZ?
Setup times vary depending on the scope and scale of the project but typically range from a few days to a couple of weeks.
What Is the Maximum Tree Protection Zone?
There’s no strict maximum. In Toronto’s Ravine and Natural Feature Protection areas, TPZs are often expanded significantly, sometimes up to 12 metres or more, to account for sensitive ecological zones and large canopy trees.
This is why you should always ask to see your arborist`s Proof of Insurance Certificate and WSIB Clearance Certificate.
Get Started with Your Tree Protection Plan Today
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