Heritage tree inventory considered

Published: April 18, 2009 12:00 PM Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star

One elected official insists rules protecting old trees could infringe on private property rights. Vernon council is currently considering a proposal from the environmental advisory committee to create an inventory of significant and heritage trees on public and private land. Such a bylaw would require residents to get permits before significantly altering or removing a tree that’s on the list. “I have a strong sense of property,” said Coun. Shawn Lee, adding that there may be reasons for a tree needing to be chopped back or taken out. “It seems a little draconian to me. We don’t need to do this.” Lee is also concerned with a clause in the proposed bylaw that could lead to increased community involvement in the maintenance of boulevard trees. “If it’s on a boulevard, it’s on city property. As a citizen, they are a city responsibility,” he said. A heritage tree is determined to be a tree more than 30 years old, and the environmental advisory committee had several months of discussion about the proposed bylaw. “The biggest concern was ensuring that trees that create a sense of place are considered as significant as long-standing houses,” said Brooke Marshall, environmental planner. Most heritage trees have already been inventoried by the city, and Marshall says residents would not be forced to look after boulevard trees, but if a group wanted to do so, there could be opportunities for them.

Council wants more information from staff before considering the proposed bylaw further, but Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe appears willing to support the concept. “If the committee has looked at it for two years, they have considered most of these things,” she said of Lee’s concerns.