60 trees cut in City View Park for maintenance shed

Though vacant land around tree stand – 60 trees to come down for shed.

Trees to be cut, with tiny notice sign.

City council recently approved a request to cut 60 trees to make way for a maintenance shed to accommodate City View Park. Staff said the trees were “invasive species” but acknowledged that they wouldn’t have taken them down just for that reason. Their removal was being driven solely by the need to locate the shed where the trees are. Many of these are large trees in good condition.

The trees will be replaced with six 200cm native coniferous trees, and five 60mm caliper native species deciduous trees.

Several members of the community including BurlingtonGreen asked the city to consider alternative locations before cutting the trees.

Read the staff report here: and the Burlington Green letter here:

My Take: I did not support the tree removal, especially given that there are vacant parcels of land nearby that could potentially accommodate the shed. Trees provide many proven environmental benefits to the community. My view is development should accommodate trees, not sacrifice trees for development.

Nearby vacant parcel suitable for shed.

The city is currently studying the feasibility of a private tree bylaw. We lose our own moral authority to control private trees when we cut city trees, largely for the same reasons as many homeowners do – for property development, tree condition or type of species.

And that’s a shame, because I believe we need some regulations or better yet incentives to protect private trees because of the value they bring to entire communities.

Take the tree survey:
Do you think there should be a private tree bylaw? The city has launched a second online survey here.

Your take:
Should the city do more to protect trees on its own property during redevelopment? Email me at  or comment here