Scotty Tree & Arborist

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Scotty Tree & Arborist

ISA Certified Arborist® - Providing hazardous tree: removal, pruning, stump grinding, clearing, consultation, treatment & diagnosis.

Owned and operated by Scott Mitchell, an ISA certified® arborist, consulting arborist and a certified tree assessor with more than 27 years of experience. Scott will help you make the right choices to keep your trees healthy, safe, and attractive. The best decision is an informed decision, our certified arborists assess your property and trees to provide you with all relevant information that is a

vailable and applicable to your individual arboriculture needs. Whether it is pruning, construction or environmental consultation, tree plans, crown reduction, stump grinding, or removal - we can help. Ethical, Professional Services at a Reasonable Price.

06/09/2026

Late spring wind events in Victoria reveal subtle but critical structural integrity issues in mature trees, particularly Douglas firs.

For property managers, this translates to increased liability exposure if not proactively assessed. My 13 years with BC Ministry of Forests taught me to spot these risks early. Ensure your property is compliant and safe.

Contact us for a hazard assessment: 250-220-9298

06/01/2026

Victoria property managers: one unpermitted cut on a Garry oak can cost you in fines.

My 13 years at BC Ministry of Forests taught me one thing — bylaw compliance isn't optional, it's protection. Victoria's tree protection bylaws are strict, especially around protected species like Garry oaks and significant trees on private property.

We help property managers stay compliant:
→ Arborist reports that satisfy city requirements
→ Permit applications done right the first time
→ Clear guidance on what you can (and can't) touch

Our crew has a 5-star Google rating because we know Victoria's bylaws inside out and communicate in plain English, not bureaucratic jargon.

Need a compliance review or arborist report? Text or call Scott: 250-220-9298

Full bylaw details: victoriatrees.com/2011/08/city-of-victoria/

05/30/2026

Concerned about that big Douglas fir in your Victoria yard? Late May winds can expose hidden stress. Don't wait for a storm.

Wind-stressed Douglas firs in Victoria can become sudden hazards. Our crew can assess quickly. Text Scott a photo to 250-220-9298.

Text Scott a photo to 250-220-9298.

05/16/2026

If you've got a big-leaf maple or cedar with dead branches hanging over your driveway in Victoria B.C., you're looking at widow-makers — and they don't wait for convenient timing.

Dead wood loses its flexibility. It doesn't bend in wind like live growth — it snaps. We see it after every southeast blow off the Strait: limbs that looked fine suddenly through a roof, across a car, or into a fence. The risk doubles when the tree's in saturated clay soil and the root plate is already compromised. Look up. If you see bare branches, peeling bark, or limbs without buds this time of year, that's dead weight waiting to drop.

Give Scott a call or text a photo to 250-220-9298 — he'll tell you exactly what you're looking at and whether it needs to come down now or can wait.

05/15/2026

This is the tree that gets Victoria homeowners fined.

Garry Oak. The only native oak in BC. Less than 5% of its ecosystem remains — which is why every CRD municipality protects it by law.

You can't remove, heavily prune, or disturb the root zone without a permit. And claiming you didn't know won't help.

Most permits require an arborist report. Scott's done hundreds across Saanich, Oak Bay, and Victoria — for homeowners, developers, and legal firms.

The sequence matters. Once you cut without approval, there's no path back. Fines, restoration orders, liability — all real.

If you've got a Garry Oak and you're planning work, don't guess.

Full bylaw links for every CRD municipality: https://www.victoriatrees.com/bylaws/

Text Scott before you touch it: 250-220-9298

05/13/2026

If you've been putting off pruning the trees on your Victoria property, May is the month to stop waiting.
Here on Vancouver Island, spring moves fast. By the time the ornamental cherries have dropped their petals and the Big Leaf Maples are in full leaf, the optimal pruning window for most species is already open — and it won't stay open long. Once summer heat arrives and drought stress begins to build, pruning cuts heal more slowly and trees become more vulnerable to disease and pest pressure.
Why May Pruning Works
After the bloom cycle completes, most deciduous trees have put on enough new growth to assess the canopy clearly. Arborists can identify weak branch unions, co-dominant stems, and dead wood that wasn't visible during winter dormancy. At the same time, fresh wounds close more quickly in spring than at any other time of year — the tree is actively growing and callus tissue forms fast.
For fruit and ornamental trees like the ornamental cherry varieties that make Victoria famous every February and March, pruning in late spring rather than fall or winter significantly reduces the risk of fungal infections entering through fresh cuts.
What a Professional Pruning Does for Your Property
A proper pruning by an ISA Certified Arborist isn't just cosmetic. It:

Removes structurally weak or dead limbs before summer winds put stress on them
Opens the canopy to reduce wind resistance and load on aging branch unions
Improves long-term tree health by removing competing leaders and crossing branches
Reduces liability risk by addressing overhanging limbs before they become hazards
Improves sightlines and natural light on your property

Scott Mitchell, owner of Scotty Tree & Arborist Service and ISA Certified Arborist, spent 13 years with the BC Ministry of Forests including work as a hazardous tree removal instructor. He brings that same level of structural assessment to every residential and commercial pruning job across Greater Victoria.
The Species That Need Attention Right Now in Victoria
Ornamental Cherry: The bloom is gone — this is exactly the right time to shape and thin before summer. Pruning too late increases the risk of bacterial canker.
Big Leaf Maple: Rapid spring growth means co-dominant stems and water sprouts are easier to spot and remove before they become structural liabilities.
Douglas Fir: Spring is the time to assess for dead or hanging branches before hot dry summers make fire risk a concern near structures.
Western Red Cedar: Flagging or browning foliage in late spring is an early warning sign — a pruning assessment can identify whether the cause is drought stress, disease, or root problems.
Don't Wait Until Something Falls
The reality of tree work in Victoria is that most homeowners call after a problem has already developed — a limb down on the fence, root damage to the driveway, or a tree leaning noticeably after spring rain. Proactive pruning in May keeps you ahead of that curve.
Scotty Tree serves all of Greater Victoria including Oak Bay, Saanich, Sidney, Langford, Colwood, Sooke, and the full Saanich Peninsula.
Ready to book a spring pruning assessment? Contact Scott Mitchell at 250-220-9298 — call or text photos of your trees directly to that number — or request a free estimate online at VictoriaTrees.com.
Scotty Tree & Arborist Service Ltd. | ISA Certified Arborist® | BBB Accredited A+ | 5-Star Google Rating | Licensed, Bonded & Insured
https://www.victoriatrees.com/contact-scotty-tree-arborist/

04/28/2026

Those white 'petals' on Pacific Dogwood?
They're not petals. They're bracts — modified leaves. The actual flowers are those tiny yellow-green clusters dead centre.

BC's provincial tree pulling off the ultimate spring fake-out across Victoria right now. The bracts protect the real flowers and attract pollinators who'd otherwise ignore something so small.

Pretty clever.
If your Dogwood isn't looking vibrant this spring, we can figure out why.
Text or call: 250-220-9298

04/27/2026

The Maple catkins are peak right now in Victoria. While you're admiring them, look for dead branches or limbs near your roof. Spring growth adds weight fast. Spotted something off? Text or Call Scotty Tree 250 220 9298

04/24/2026

You know that moment when you're walking the dog and suddenly notice your apple tree is absolutely covered in blossoms? Victoria in spring is something else.

Right now, our streets are exploding with blooms — apples, plums, magnolias putting on their annual show. It's the perfect time to actually look at your trees, not just admire them.

While they're flowering, take a quick walk around. Notice any dead branches? Weird angles? Limbs hanging too close to your roof? Spring growth is about to add serious weight to those branches.

We love this city's urban forest as much as you do. If something looks off with your trees this spring, let's take a look together before summer storm season. Text or Call Scotty Tree 250 220 9298

03/18/2026

Did you know that removing or even pruning certain trees in Victoria without the right permit can lead to some serious fines? It's a headache many homeowners don't see coming.

Victoria's tree protection bylaws are complex, but you don't have to navigate them alone. As local, ISA Certified Arborists, we understand the regulations inside and out. We'll handle the assessment and guide you through the permit process to ensure your project is done safely, legally, and without stress.

Don't risk a fine! Understand the rules at https://www.victoriatrees.com/bylaws/ or call Scotty Tree at 250 220 9298 for expert bylaw help.

Address

949 Fairfield
Victoria, BC
V8V3A3

Telephone

+12502209298

Website

http://www.victoriatrees.com/

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