Editor:
As I sit here writing, I have been listening to seven hours of relentless, torturous chainsawing that has destroyed a row of mature trees that used to flank Westminster Avenue, from Woodsworth Street to Canada Way. I estimate that more than a dozen very mature, very healthy and tall trees have been lost: all on city land.
The land used to belong to the Shriners and was sold to Symphony Developments for a new development, but based on my direct experience, new buildings can go up around existing trees. The city allowed them the permit to cut down those beautiful trees, for convenience's sake.
This is an utter abomination in a climate and biodiversity crisis. Our city leaders need to stop looking at efficiency and dollars and start thinking about ecology as an imperative.
Geri Tramutola
📢 SOUND OFF: Does Burnaby have enough trees? Do you believe development is harming the city's tree canopy? What should the city be doing to encourage greenspace and expand the city's tree canopy? Share your thoughts — send us a letter.
