I am a tree lover unabashed.
The benefit of trees is well documented.
Despite their roots getting into our sewers, their limbs landing on our cars and their leaves messing up our lawns, a tree provides undeniable positives that greatly outweigh any of these minor inconveniences.
Trees clean our air, cool our world, provide habitat, protect the integrity of our lithosphere and provide an unquantifiable aesthetic and feeling of well being.
Most people view these advantages as abstract but in fact a tree has huge monetary value.
If one accepts this evaluation then the protection of trees is paramount. The unnecessary removal of trees must be discouraged and tree planting must be encouraged.
If I were king I would love to see some one on staff who could take on the function of a tree advocate. I know we have arbourists but I see there job as maintenance and management in the field with a heavy emphasis on liability but I would also like to see someone reviewing road improvements for opportunities to plant and for opportunities to move that sidewalk and maybe save a 100 year old maple. Someone to review plans of subdivision with a tree conservation lens someone with a bent on saving as opposed to just removing or replacing.
The canopy over Orillia has taken some significant hits lately – the ice storm- the emerald ash borer and just old age. If we want to rejuvenate and protect what we have we need to be aggressive and committed.
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