‘Tree Police’: Quebec Town Charges $200 Fee for Homeowners With Treeless Yards

‘Tree Police’: Quebec Town Charges $200 Fee for Homeowners With Treeless Yards
A young tree on the lawn of a residential property in the town of St-Amable, Que., on April 3, 2025. The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes
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In the town of St-Amable, Que., it’s plant or pay up.

As of this year, the municipality located 30 kilometres northeast of Montreal is imposing an annual tax of $200 for residents who don’t have a leafy tree in their front yard, with a goal of reducing heat islands and improving biodiversity.