BUCHOLTZ: Surrey residents need to speak up for tree preservation
Published 9:00 am Thursday, April 16, 2026
Tree cutting in Surrey has been controversial for many years. Many of the concerns arise when large numbers of trees on semi-rural properties are cut down to allow for urban development.
This phenomenon is underway in the area I live in, known as West Clayton to the city planning department. Recent construction of a sewer line has led to the start of townhouse developments on several larger properties. The density of the developments and need for internal driveways means that hardly a tree is left standing.
A recent letter to the editor of the Peace Arch News by Barbara Schellert outlined her concerns about tree cutting in her neighbourhood; on 156 Street; at 80 Avenue and 160 Street; near Surrey Lake Park and at 168 Street and 20 Avenue.
All of those areas had many mature trees, often firs and cedars. The city makes it easy for the trees to come down after it grants development permits, and its guidelines call for the planting of replacement trees, often non-native species.
In response to tree cutting concerns years ago, the city instituted a system requiring permits to cut down trees on your own property. The system does allow for some tree cutting, but it is costly and bureaucratic. It really doesn’t address the mass cutting of trees by developers.
Some property owners simply bypass the system, and if they are caught, the fines are met with a “cost of doing business” shrug.
The city has promoted tree planting in recent years, buit this comes after past actions such as the cutting of tens of thousands of trees on city-owned land to allow Campbell Heights industrial park to go ahead.
It is inevitable that many more trees will come down in coming decades, as Surrey develops to much higher densities and becomes B.C.’s largest city. The province has relaxed density requirements and reduced municipal oversight of development, and the dominant theme is “build, build, build.”
Thankfully, there are many large parks with significant tree populations. It is even more important that Surrey residents gave both Green Timbers and Sunnyside Acres protection in a referendum during the 1980s. These significant forests will one day be the only large examples of what Surrey once was.
The city is attempting to preserve smaller amounts of forested land in neighbourhood concept plans it prepares, but these do not always pan out. The intentions are good, but pressures come from many sides. The cost of land also sometimes serves as a barrier to setting some protected areas aside.
Residents who are concerned about tree preservation need to pressure the city at every turn. Pay attention to development signs in your neighbourhoods. Speak up on the rare occasions that public input is sought – and at other times.
With a municipal election coming this year, canvass candidates about where they stand on these issues. Forests and other natural areas are essential to our well-being, as citizens of a large, fast-growing urban area.
Frank Bucholtz writes twice monthly on political issues for Black Press Media publications.