A homeowner said their HOA wanted a mature yard tree removed, but the situation may not be as simple as cutting it down.
The homeowner, based in Calgary, shared photos online after saying an HOA arborist wanted the tree removed because of a broken branch, an earlier branch removal near a neighbor’s yard, and cracks in the bark. According to The Cool Down, the homeowner did not think those issues were enough to justify removing the tree right away.
Instead, the homeowner wanted to remove the damaged branch and see how the tree handled winter. Before agreeing to remove a mature tree, owners should ask for the arborist’s written findings, the specific safety concern, and whether pruning, treatment, or monitoring is a reasonable option.
The Tree Had Visible Problems
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The homeowner did not describe the tree as perfect. Their post mentioned a broken branch, bark cracks, and past pruning where a limb had grown toward a neighboring yard.
Cracks, weak branch unions, previous limb failures, decay, and old pruning wounds can affect how a tree holds up in wind, snow, or heavy rain. They do not always lead to the same answer, which is why a full inspection is different from a quick removal recommendation.
A Second Arborist Can Separate Risk From Guesswork
The International Society of Arboriculture’s TreesAreGood guidance says some risky trees may need removal, but other options can include pruning, routine care, or physical support for weak branches and stems.
For a homeowner facing an HOA demand, an independent certified-arborist report can put the dispute on paper. The report should identify the species, condition, defects, nearby targets, recommended work, and whether the tree presents an unacceptable risk.
The Ash Tree Question Could Change the Decision
The online discussion also raised the possibility that the tree was an ash. If that is correct, the homeowner would have another issue to check before making a final decision.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says emerald ash borer is a highly destructive invasive beetle that attacks and kills ash trees. The City of Calgary says emerald ash borer has not yet been found in Calgary, but the city monitors for it because Calgary has many ash trees on public and private land.
Calgary tells residents to watch ash trees for signs such as D-shaped exit holes, S-shaped galleries under the bark, canopy thinning, branch dieback, woodpecker damage, bark splitting, and shoots growing from the trunk. An arborist can confirm whether the tree is ash and whether the symptoms point to pests, stress, structural damage, or something else.
City Rules and HOA Rules Are Not the Same
The City of Calgary says its Tree Protection Bylaw protects public trees growing on land owned or controlled by the city and does not apply to trees growing on private property.
An association may have its own landscaping rules, notice process, or enforcement steps. Before removing the tree, the homeowner should ask for the exact rule being cited, request the HOA arborist’s written report, get an independent certified-arborist opinion, and keep photos, emails, notices, and inspection records.
If the tree is confirmed hazardous, removal may be the right call. If the risk can be managed, a written second opinion gives the homeowner a stronger basis to ask for pruning, monitoring, or treatment instead of losing the tree immediately.