London looking at beefed up tree protection bylaw

Eco terrorists beware planting a tree on city property could soon result in a hefty new fine.

A tough new bylaw that will be reviewed Monday by city councils planning and environment committee packs new fines and increased charges for messing with trees in the Forest City.

Other changes in the proposed tree protection bylaw include an increase in the cost of taking down a tree on city property and tickets for people who damage or remove trees.

Its part of protecting what we have, said Sara Rowland, an urban forester planner with the city. We should be giving them extra protection.

Under the current rules, a person who cuts down or damages a tree on city land is given a summons and has to appear in court.

A ticket, with fines ranging from $300 to $1,000 depending on the offence, would speed the process and make it easier for the city to administer the bylaw, Rowland said.

If a tree is taken down by a third party consensually, such as a developer, the developer has to pay for the removal cost. Under the proposed bylaw, they would have to pay for the value of that tree in addition to the removal cost of anywhere from $500 to $3,300. That replacement value could be in the tens of thousands of dollars if the tree is mature, Rowland said.

The change is aimed at builders who remove a tree on city land for a development.

If a developer wants to remove that asset, they now just pay a removal fee, thats it. Under this proposed bylaw they will now have to provide compensation for the appraised value of the tree, Rowland said.

Builders now pay for removal of other infrastructure such as light standards and utility poles, and trees will be no different, she said.

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London looking at beefed up tree protection bylaw