Wooden logic

The County was recognized by the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists in 2002 for its tree replacement bylaw.

Lack of qualified staff may be endangering heritage treescapes

To view a copy of the County’s Tree Replacement Policy, click here.

In Wellington, magnificent maples line the main street, their canopy forming the atmosphere of the village, literally and figuratively. The old trees are as integral to the community as the heritage houses they hang over.

Trees die, though, and when they do, they must come down before they fall and crush one of those houses, or a car, or—the unthinkable—a person. It makes sense then that every year the County contracts tree cutters to remove potential dangers.

But the devil is in the details. When a tree threatens hydro wires, Hydro One is called in. An arborist determines whether the tree should be cut down or simply trimmed back, and Hydro One does the job. But if a tree is not threatening hydro wires, County staff makes the decision. There is no arborist on staff.

In 2002, County council passed a policy about tree cutting and replacement that was meant to protect the County’s canopy. The policy prescribes that “trees determined to be removed due to condition or health reasons shall be appropriately assessed and documented by qualified staff prior to removal.”

Engineer Ernie Margetson helped pen the policy.

“There’s enough people that should be advocating for the canopy—or replacement of it—in Wellington,” says Margetson. “They cut down a lot of trees, but unless someone replaces them, strategically, or even makes some kind of an effort to replace them, you’re in a deficit, as far as canopy.”

According to Wellington councillor Jim Dunlop, the process is currently complaint-driven. The public works department responds to residents’ concerns by visiting the trees and deciding whether they should be cut, trimmed, or even left alone.

Every year, a list is made of trees to be removed, and every year that list goes out to tender, meaning contractors bid the lowest price to do the job. This year, 41 trees were removed and only seven were listed in need of trimming.

This outrages Kevin Hollaran, a local arborist. He says some of the trees already cut down should have been saved.

“The very reason why people come to Wellington, and the very reason people want to stay in Wellington… is the beautiful old trees along the main street,” says Hollaran. “Imagine if you did that with every tree. What would you be left with? Nothing.”

Hollaran also says that trees have more than just an intrinsic, ecological value. They can actually be priced and insured. An old, healthy tree cut down is a lot of money lost.

It’s not only the loss of old trees that is causing a stir, though. Fewer than a dozen new trees will be planted, meaning the replacement rate is about one quarter of the trees lost. The County’s policy also states that for every tree removed from municipal highways, “at least one tree will be planted within one year of removal.”

Public works head Robert McAuley has said new trees can’t be planted where the old ones used to be—that the old trunk will interfere. McAuley did not respond to requests for an interview before publication, but Halloran disagrees with his statement.

“That’s not correct. I don’t know where [McAuley] gets that information from… because he doesn’t know anything about trees. So that’s information based on ignorance,” says Halloran. “There’s absolutely no one, including McAuley, on staff that is qualified to be going out, knowing anything about trees, and marking them.”

Margetson recalls using stumps to improve the chances for newly planted trees.

“We planted a lot of trees—my father planted a lot of trees—and we always looked favorably to planting them where there was a stump, because the stump slowly rotted and it aerated the soil and composted, etc., which is fairly common sense,” says Margetson. “The only thing I can think about is a black walnut. But that’s the only circumstance that I thought that would make that an issue.”

Dunlop says if residents want to see more trees replanted, they have to get more involved.

“The County doesn’t have a closed-door policy on replanting trees,” says Dunlop. “We’re encouraging people in a situation where we can put a tree that’s not hazardous to the hydro line and the street and the general public, if we can make a good case for it, I’m sure we can get it done.”