I am delighted to see more and more common sense opinions published from people who share my belief that council should not be interfering in citizens' desires to remove trees from their own property. There appear to be some very judgemental people whinging to the city every time they see a tree felled. These people should bear in mind that residents have many different reasons for tree removal and every right to deal with their own landscaping in any way they see fit.
They can be so hemmed in by trees that their personal or home security is threatened; some live in homes so darkened by trees that they need lights on all day long; others suffer allergies or are prevented by age or injury from raking and picking up leaves in the fall. Some fear a storm uprooting a large tree and demolishing their home - or the presence of such danger affecting their ability to get insurance.
Whatever the case, on their own property, tree removal should be their own choice. Some people rid themselves of every growing thing and cover their grounds with concrete in order to park extra vehicles - we may not approve, but it is their land!
When homeowners spend such huge amounts of money to buy their homes - and in Burnaby that can mean close to a million dollars, or even more - they should absolutely have the right to adapt the property to their own style of living. People are being stripped of so many of their rights these days that they should all be up in arms about the infringement of liberties, not trying to talk the city into placing even more restrictions on them.
I love trees - most people do. I love birds and nature, and rejoice in the beautiful area in which I live. Anyone from anywhere would love to have the million-dollar view I have of the North Shore Mountains. It gives me enormous pleasure to watch the play of light on the slopes; the peaks after a fresh snowfall, the rainbows or cloud formations and chiaroscuro in general.
I recently decided quite suddenly to remove seven cedars from my small front garden, and although in so doing I have regained parts of my wonderful view that had disappeared, that was not my reason.
A bungalow beside me was demolished this year, and a huge house is now going up in its place. One day I went out for a walk, on a lovely sunny day, and returned to find the walls had risen in my absence to a point way above the roof of my own reasonably substantial home.
From the bedroom window I cannot even see the sky. It was as if someone had turned off the light in my lovely light, airy home, and it affects most of the house. During the course of a single walk, I felt my house had been devalued by literally thousands of dollars, and my pleasure in my home had been stripped from me.
I moped around in my gloomy home for a week or two, feeling hemmed in, confined and depressed. Then I accepted the fact that I could do nothing about having what feels like a factory wall built beside me, so I had better do whatever I could to remedy the situation by altering what I could control.
I decided to take down the trees. They were here when I bought the house a few years ago but had grown enormously. Trees don't have to be huge to be attractive. I intend to replace them with smaller ones and flowering shrubs. I barely miss them, and I am again captivated by the marvellous view.
People who bemoan the loss of trees should fly over Burnaby or see the view from one of the highrises. Burnaby looks like a forest, with nothing but trees as far as the eye can see. No one is talking about taking them all down, but equally, no one with any sense would let a few trees rob them of a stunning, world-class view. You can grow trees anywhere, but people from other countries spend thousands to come to Canada to see our mountain ranges and coastlines.
Many people pack too many trees into a garden when they rebuild, without thinking that they will crowd each other out as they grow. You can have too many trees, and some of the homes in my area are so dark and foreboding that I would consider them unsaleable.
If council sees its contemplated new restrictions as a cash grab, there are plenty of more worthwhile targets - fine people for putting out their dirty old mattresses or broken furniture or other rubbish for weeks on end, or for not picking up after their dogs. Fine them for littering, or even for letting their trees grow too large!
Despite my cardinal sin of removing eight trees in one fell swoop, I consider I do more for the planet than most Burnaby residents. I recycle everything I can, and have the smallest size garbage toter. It goes out only three times a year, as I generate very little trash, yet I still pay the same $25 as those who put out full bins every week.
I have chosen not to drive any more (and I hardly ever use transit either, as most of the things I need are within walking distance). I bet most of your tree-huggers drive a car, and many drive SUVs or trucks. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
I sincerely hope that the city will abandon its proposed bylaw and not be so willing to appease a few misguided individuals. Let's all just take pride in our surroundings and do all we can to make Burnaby a better, cleaner place to live.
D. Ashenden is a Burnaby resident.
