Dear Editor:
RE: Tree Bylaw Needed
I completely agree with Neighbourwoods regarding trees in our community (letter to the Editor, Oct. 31). The municipality and the builders have a responsibility to protect our trees.
I would like to tell you about my tree that was significantly impacted by an infill development. The tree fencing that was to be erected to protect a large spruce from the construction next door was erected after the house was built and after a trench to bury hydro lines was dug – a trench that cut a significant number of roots completely damaging the root system. Above ground, the builder attempted to cut branches from my tree to erect a hydro pole, a pole that was never in the original plan. Had the fencing been erected at the beginning of construction, as it was submitted in the builder’s plan, damage to the tree would never have happened.
In addition to the damage to my tree, the builder had complete disregard for the trees they levelled (and never replaced) to build houses and for their impact on trees on my property. Whoever approves builder’s plans must never had visited the site or they would have noticed the protective fence that was missing, and I am assuming they are overlooking the replacement of the trees as well.
Hopefully my 80-year-old tree survives, I am still waiting for the tree assessment the township was going to have the builder do, but I am not too hopeful. There has to be repercussions from destruction to our trees. A tree protection bylaw, if actually enforced, would be the solution.
Jodie Candaele
Fergus