County tree policy discussions continue

Last summer, volunteers with Neighbourwoods inventoried more than 300 trees in Bloomfield. Here, a photo from the Bloomfield Tree Inventory Project (Neighbourwoods) where volunteers Allen and Sheila Kuja stand by a massive Manitoba Maple with a magnificent trunk covered in burls. – Photo Awesome Trees of Prince Edward County on Facebook

Residents frustrated with the the removal of trees throughout the County with what appears to be little consequence are part of the discussion Tuesday at a meeting of the Prince Edward Tree Policy ad-hoc committee.

Tanya Delaney, the County’s supervisor of outdoor facilities, is scheduled to discuss highlights from discussion with Peter Wynnczuk, executive director with the Ontario Urban Forest Council at Tuesday’s meeting.

It includes options for the municipality including tree inventories, review of existing municipal bylaws and policies, internal and public input.

Wynnczuk’s report includes consideration of an urban forest management plan to help provide opportunity for conversation with stakeholders and the public on historical perspective and community trees, current status and future directions.

Committee members will also discuss excerpts of various tree policies in place from other municipalities.

The committee includes County staff members as well as certified arborists, Susan Banks, co-ordinator of Tree the County; Lise Boise, President of the Prince Edward County Historical Society, Alexandra Wiens, co-ordinator of the Prince Edward County Mater Gardeners, Glenn Guernsey, community member, David Cleave, home builder.

Members of several citizen groups branched out in Bloomfield last summer to identify, measure and note the urban tree canopy.

Click here for more on the ‘Neighbourwoods Tree Inventory Project’