Prince George woman wants protection for 'heritage trees' on private property

Kathleen Angelski was upset when she looked out her window and discovered workers from the city of Prince George were removing a stand of birch trees from her neighbour's front yard. 

"Several of the very large, mature birch trees were cut down which, as a resident, I find upsetting," she said.

 "I know by law they're private property, but I feel very strongly that they're assets to our community." 

Angelski is proposing the city of Prince George adopt a Heritage Tree Policy, which would add protections to trees of a certain age and size. She believes such a policy would reflect the value trees have to an entire neighbourhood, not just a single homeowner.

"One of the reasons why we bought this house is because we really love the mature trees," she said. "There needs to be some notice, some dialogue, some sort of process when trees like this come down."

Heritage trees protected in Mississauga, Victoria

Several communities in Canada have adopted programs like the one Angelski is proposing.

In Mississauga, residents can submit nominations to the Significant Tree Program, which preserves trees based on uniqueness, size, or historical value.

Victoria has a tree preservation bylaw, which protects some native species of trees over 50 cm in height from being destroyed or altered without a permit. Any tree with a diameter of more than 80 cm is also protected.

Angelski, who has a background working in municipal governments, is volunteering her services to write such a policy for Prince George.

"If I were to build so much as a shed on my property I would require a permit to do that because building a shed affects all of your neighbours," she said. "We don't even give these trees the same consideration we would give a tool shed."

Removed trees were causing sewer problems

City staff for Prince George said the roots of the trees cut down on Angelski's street were interfering with sewers, and removal was the only option. They had permission from the property owner to take them out.

Angelski said she understands trees will sometimes have to be destroyed, but still wants to start a conversation about how future decisions are made.

"Trees have value not just in visual impact and their sight lines, but also in water conservation," she said. "I know that next year without these trees shading my front property, I'm going to need to water a lot more... so I'm adding to water use, adding to consumption of our utilities, all of these things are factors."

"It's not just about one individual tree, it's part of a whole ecosystem. And that ecosystem doesn't end at people's property lines."

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