Is it time for Sault Ste. Marie to protect its trees? (Updated)

Members of City Council brought up growing concerns about heritage trees in Sault Ste. Marie at tonight's meeting.

"We wanted to take a look at how other cities are preserving trees for both the public and the municipalities," said Ward 2 Councillor Terry Sheehan.

Council carried a motion to assign staff to report as to how the City can develop and implement a tree preservation by-law at its meeting on Monday.

Citing the city's beautiful urban forests and the enhancements to quality of life these forests bring to Sault Ste. Marie citizens Council decided to investigate legal mechanisms to protects heritage trees in the city, particularly in the old hospital area, downtown and in parks. 

Many other municipalities have implemented tree protection bylaws, says Sheehan, and Saultites believe it's time our city followed suit.

"Rather than deal with it in a series of one offs, like we've been doing over the years, we need to creat a comprehensive plan," Sheehan added.

The city has faught hard to keep trees in construction areas when ever possible but Sheehan is hoping staff comes back with a bylaw that will protect trees on public and private property.

"Other communities treat trees the same as they would heritage building," he said. "People need to get permits to do anything to them."