Heritage Tree Policy

On June 8, 2010, administration brought forward a Heritage Tree policy to Council (available at www.strathcona.ab.ca   under Council minutes). The intent is to ensure retention of heritage trees throughout the process of commercial and subdivision development. This policy will provide for landowner nomination and voluntary dedication to benefit future generations.

The proposed policy states that Strathcona County will ensure the retention of Heritage Trees during and following land development, building, construction and infrastructure installation. Strathcona County “will develop a Heritage Tree Program which will include a process for the nomination, assessment, inventory control, recognition, maintenance, and legal protection of specified trees on public and private land.”

With all the environmental, health and social benefits that trees offer our community – what’s not to like about this policy? Well as often happens in the realm of policy creation – the devil is in the details.

The management of this policy will require both capital and operational funding that was not determined or presented. The economic impact is undefined and open ended. Enforcement is not clearly outlined. Process and criteria are detailed but there is no mention of penalties for non-conformance on public and developer owned lands. The criteria is complex and could be time consuming for developers and county staff.

After the inspections and approvals, the designated trees become the responsibility of the taxpayers to retain and upkeep.

There are good reasons to develop and embrace a Heritage Tree policy. Because the County would review, designate and protect valuable trees, developers could not follow a clearcut policy as they have in recent years. Several Charlton Heights residents still bitterly recall when they opposed the wholesale removal of trees on a proposed development site. The day Council left town on a retreat, the developer called in the bulldozers. Residents could have used this type of policy with enforcement teeth to save a valuable stand of wood cover in our urban area. The policy as initially brought to Council lacks enforcement teeth.

The proposed Heritage Tree policy as respect to private lands could hold some pitfalls. Strathcona County would support registration of heritage trees on land title under voluntary dedication by the current land owner who wishes to protect trees beyond the time that they own the property.  Will the caveat on private land titles lead to lengthy and complicated issues down the road? What is the impact on sale and resale of the resident’s property?

Last year in Glen Allan a resident wanted to cut down an ancient willow that was invading the sewer pipes. Neighbours agreed that the tree was a risk. Residents tell me that they had significant altercations with the County before being ‘allowed’ to remove the tree (located on the County easement). There was no policy at that time. This and several other incidents relayed to me indicate to me that the County is already doing a forceful job of protecting the trees on County property.

When I asked if local business and the public have been engaged and participated in the policy I was told no. Were residents informed in any way? No. While it is not necessary or even desirable for residents to participate in all policy formation – this is one that I believe you need to examine carefully and weigh in on. Council did agree and this policy will be coming to you soon to comment on and participate in its  development.