Tree Services in Summerland, BC
Last updated: February 2026
Summerland lives up to its name as one of the Okanagan's premier agricultural communities. Orchards and vineyards cover the benches above Okanagan Lake, while residential areas mix with agricultural land throughout the district. Tree service needs in Summerland reflect this agricultural heritage alongside standard residential requirements and the ever-present wildfire concerns of the Okanagan Valley.
Summerland's Agricultural Landscape
Unlike the urban development of Kelowna, Summerland maintains its agricultural identity. Apple, cherry, peach, and apricot orchards cover the hillsides, interspersed with vineyards and residential properties. The federal Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre in Summerland contributes to the area's agricultural expertise.
This agricultural character shapes tree service needs. Commercial orchards require specialized pruning and maintenance. Aging orchards being converted to vineyards or development need efficient removal. Residential properties often inherit fruit trees from the pre-development era.
Orchard & Fruit Tree Care
Fruit tree management is a distinctive tree service need in Summerland:
Annual Pruning
Commercial orchards and heritage fruit trees require annual dormant pruning (typically February) to maintain production and tree health. Proper fruit tree pruning is specialized work—different from ornamental tree care—focusing on light penetration, air circulation, and fruiting structure.
Disease Management
Okanagan fruit trees are susceptible to fire blight, black knot, and other diseases. Proper pruning technique—including sanitizing tools between cuts—helps prevent disease spread. Severely infected trees may need removal to protect neighboring orchards.
Orchard Removal
Aging orchards past productive life, or land being converted to other uses, require efficient orchard removal. This specialized work involves removing multiple trees quickly, often with stump grinding for replanting or development.
Residential Tree Services
Beyond agriculture, Summerland's residential properties need standard tree services:
- Hazard tree removal: Dead, dying, or structurally compromised trees
- Ornamental pruning: Maintaining shape and health of landscape trees
- Stump grinding: Removing stumps after tree removal
- FireSmart mitigation: Creating defensible space on hillside properties
- View maintenance: Preserving lake and valley views through selective pruning
Terrain Considerations
Summerland's benches rise from Okanagan Lake to the hillsides above, with properties at various elevations. Lower properties near town and the lakeshore typically have good access. Upper properties toward Giant's Head Mountain and Cartwright Mountain may have steeper terrain affecting service access and costs.
Common Tree Species
- Apple: Multiple varieties throughout orchards and residential properties
- Cherry: Sweet cherry orchards are prominent in the area
- Peach & Apricot: Stone fruit orchards on warmer slopes
- Ponderosa Pine: Native conifers on hillsides and undeveloped land
- Ornamental Species: Birch, maple, and cedar in residential landscaping
Nearby Areas
- Peachland — North via Highway 97
- West Kelowna — North via Highway 97
- Kelowna — Northeast via Highway 97
Our Recommended Summerland Arborist
SISU Tree Care and Property Maintenance
Why we recommend SISU Tree Care:
- ISA Certified Arborist with 30+ years experience
- Locally owned and fully insured
- Specializes in tree risk assessment and fire mitigation
- Full-service: removal, pruning, stump grinding, landscaping
- Based in West Kelowna, serves all Central Okanagan
Owner: Shannon Hyde, ISA Certified Arborist
SISU is Finnish for strength of will, determination, and perseverance
Free estimates · Fully insured · Serving Kelowna & Central Okanagan
Frequently Asked Questions
What tree services are most needed in Summerland?
Summerland's agricultural character means fruit tree care—pruning, disease management, and removal of aging orchards—is a major need. Beyond agriculture, residential properties require standard services: hazardous tree removal, ornamental pruning, stump grinding, and FireSmart mitigation for hillside properties. Large rural acreages may need forest management and beetle-killed tree removal.
Does Summerland have tree protection regulations?
The District of Summerland has bylaws regulating tree removal, particularly in riparian areas near Okanagan Lake and local creeks. Agricultural land has different regulations than residential zones. Contact Summerland's Planning Department at 250-494-6451 to confirm requirements before removing significant trees, especially near watercourses or on ALR (Agricultural Land Reserve) property.
What's the cost for orchard tree removal in Summerland?
Orchard tree removal varies based on tree size, quantity, and stump requirements. Individual mature fruit trees cost $300-$800 including stump grinding. Clearing multiple orchard rows is typically quoted as a project—removing 20-50 trees might run $3,000-$8,000 depending on size and site conditions. Most arborists offer significant discounts for bulk orchard removal.