Prince Edward County plans to consider a tree by-law.
A Tree Management and Preservation Policy for trees on urban property has been in effect since 2021.
Its purpose is to conserve, maintain and increase the tree canopy of Prince Edward County.
Dozens of trees have been planted in municipal parks by volunteer group Tree the County, assisted by County staff since the policy came into effect.
In a deputation to Committee of the Whole, members of the Natural Cover Working Group, a sub-committee of the Environmental Advisory Committee asked that the current policy become a Tree Protection by-law.
Susan Banks told council she was disappointed to see the bases of some of those young trees they planted damaged.
Damage to trees planted recently at Delhi Park in Picton. (Photo: Natural Cover Working Group)
County staff quickly took measures to improve the situation but Banks says there should be consequences for careless damage to trees.
“A tree protection by-law would strengthen these consequences. A tree protection by-law should ensure inspection of newly planted trees and fines for damage and replacement.”
Victoria Taylor told council they’d like to see six key points covered in a by-law to ensure a long term, healthy tree canopy for the County’s future.
“Permits, tree protection, enforcement, tree replacement, training, inspection and maintenance.”
Banks said community members are currently inspecting and maintaining young trees that have been planted by the group since the Tree Policy came into effect but it’s hoped that it will be done in the future by County staff.
Councillor Kate MacNaughton agreed a by-law would ensure correct practices are followed.
“And that they can go back to developers and say you’ve not quite done this properly. You’re not protecting the construction zone. You’re not protecting the roots where you’ve carved away the roots on one side of the tree. And a by-law would actually give them the opportunity to be able to do that, to go back and say sorry, it’s in our by-law, you have to comply.”
Councillor John Hirsch suggested several surrounding municipalities already have detailed tree by-laws that the municipality could easily adapt.
Council directed staff to explore the creation of a tree protection by-law to strengthen the existing tree policy in conjunction with the site alteration by-law as the latter will also address some of the same issues.
Any items approved at Committee of the Whole still need final approval at the next regular meeting of council.
