Trees, especially tall, mature, native conifers, like firs and cedars, in developing areas like ours, are an “ENDANGERED” plant species. The few remaining trees need to be preserved and trees of the same species and other compatible tree species need to be planted. Trees need to be cared for, using healthy, correct, and organic methods. They need protection from removal or damaging, unhealthy cutting, topping, incorrect “pruning” and pesticides. All trees need to be valued and allowed to reach maturity, naturally, healthy and unaltered. We need to appreciate, treat with respect, and have love and compassion for all trees and all plants in our environment, (in the same was that we treat and are kind to people).
With the above in mind we need to create a NEW Community Plan and have a strong, effective tree management Policy and Bylaw, in order to preserve and protect, plant and care for trees in perpetuity. As soon as possible, in 2014, to ensure that we have trees tomorrow, and trees in the future, we need wise and ethical community planning; using imagination and foresight. We need planning that values the legacy that we leave to our children, that shows that we are not selfish or greedy, and that we value the well-bring of others and the environment more than views, property values and development. The Plan must include a large inventory of preserved and protected, existing and planted, native, young and mature trees; conifers, deciduous, evergreens, food and medicinal trees…., on ALL community lands.
It seems that trees, especially mature, tall trees, like our native conifers, have been subject to aggressive removal, largely due to the lack of a Community Plan, Policy and Bylaw, that values trees and the environment. As an example, note that our present Community Plan and Tree Management Policy and Bylaw, appear to value views more than trees, and more than a natural healthy environment which includes a variety of native plants and tall healthy native trees, (see Part 3, Policy #611, Policy Statement #1, re. Views and “Tree Management on City Lands”, June 28, 2010 – January 9, 2012).
Developer’s and Architect’s plans need to include existing young and mature, native tall trees add significant green space. The positive result will be SMALLER homes with less environmental impact plus larger trees and green-space, rather than the recent out-of-place, out of character, super-sized houses (boxes), apartments and condos, and low rises (4 stories) to high rises (19 stories), with limited trees and minimal green-space. In addition to being more environmentally friendly, such positive planning is people-friendly and more in line with the values and character of small communities and neighbourhoods, which we are all moving towards.
We need to remind and educate all residents, and future residents, and officials about the, “value of trees”, and their role in a healthy environment, that is, “they sustain life”. Trees, like our native, high upper canopy species absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide, store carbon, give off oxygen, protect plants and animals in the lower canopy, provide shade and windbreaks, and flood and erosion control, bird / animal habitation, as well as aesthetic pleasure. Trees, notably tall native mature trees, are a significant and necessary part of local ecosystems; as well as the planet on which we live. They are not fearful, dirty things that drip and drop leaves on our BMW’s and block views. Trees are a beautiful part of the view. Trees are not to be easily discarded or altered in order to build a bigger box (house), or to selfishly protect our hillside investment and view of the bay. Instead let us value trees more than money and self-interests, and preserve and protect trees, thereby investing in the environment, our future and our children’s future. A large number of healthy, mature, native trees benefit the whole community and the environment, where as views without trees, “benefit” only a few. With effort and will planners and designers can find ways to develop and build that are inclusive rather than exclusive.
Following, are eight possible ideas for Tree Management Policy or Bylaws that will help to get us moving in a positive direction to preserve and protect trees. (Planners can refer to other communities – locally and throughout the world – where tree and environment-friendly plans, Policy and Bylaws are in effect.)
- ALL trees, (deciduous, evergreen and conifer) on ALL lands in the community, wherever they are located – City, private, front or back yard, boulevard, school, church, hospital, care home, the “hump”, promenade, beach, mall…. – whether they are young or mature, big or small, are to be considered valuable community resources, and as such are to be valued and protected by law. The community’s trees will be considered equivalent to other permanent community resources such as parks, ravines, streams, rivers, aquifers, landmark rock and beaches that are fully preserved and protected and cared for in perpetuity for future generations. All such community resources are a vital part of the local environment, and the community, and therefore cannot be owned, bought, sold, removed or altered.
- All trees are to be cared for so that they will thrive and grow naturally to full mature size and shape. Only organic, environmentally friendly methods of care are to be used, for example, only natural maintenance methods and correct pruning techniques are permitted – no topping or removing too many branches or other damaging cuts. Only seventeen natural pest control methods are allowed. Pesticides and chemical fertilizers are not allowed.
- Only knowledgeable, experienced arborists, horticulturists and gardeners shall care for trees, and for large trees only certified arborists will be used. All community members are expected to act as guardians and caretakers of all trees, (and other resources); especially in their neighbourhoods. Educational materials related to tree care are to be readily available. Major large tree work requiring an arborist will require three unbiased work estimates, and after approval of applications a work permit will be issued.
- Since the first, primary intention of the Community Plan and Tree Management Policy and Bylaw is to preserve and protect in perpetuity our valuable tree resource, NO future exceptions, Plan, Policy or Bylaw changes or amendments, are allowed. Anything not in alignment with the first intention is not allowed and shall not be considered. Future changes, to the Community Plan, Policy or Bylaw, that are still in alignment with the first intention, will require the consensus of 100% of the members of the community.
- The Community Plan, to be done as soon as possible in 2014, must value the trees and the environment that contribute to livability, therefore this Community Plan, as it pertains to trees and other resources, is permanent and cannot be changed or amended, (for example, to permit a new, bigger or better development proposal). Future new councils, or someone with a biased agenda, cannot change this plan.
- The Community Plan must permanently set aside and preserve forest and park areas, and restore trees, by planting species that have been removed in these areas; as well as anywhere else in the community, or public, or private or any other lands, over the last fifty years. Vigorous planting needs to be ongoing in order to maintain a diversity of trees throughout the community, and ALL lands.
- The community will keep an up-to-date inventory of ALL trees, throughout the community, without exception. This will be completed as soon as possible.
- Effective immediately, providing, maintaining or re-establishing views, whether established, hillside, water, mountain or any other scenic view, will never be allowed to result in the removal, or alteration, of a tree; or in any way negatively impact a tree. In other words, tree preservation and a healthy environment will always take precedence over scenic views desired by individuals or property owner(s), since, to the community, trees are more important than such views. The community needs trees to sustain us, now and in the future, and it is therefore our “#1” policy to ensure the sustainability of all trees, particularly tall, healthy, mature, native trees, such as Douglas firs and cedars, on ALL community lands. The aesthetic value of trees equals the aesthetic value of a body of water or a mountain. The view of trees will be considered equal to the view of water, islands, mountains, etc.
- In the case of plans for new building developments, where trees exist, these trees will be considered permanent and are to be included in building plans. In the case of young trees it will be determined by the community if they can be easily and safely moved to another suitable place on the site plan. Immediate plans are to be put in place for the restoration, replacement and ongoing planting of trees, to significantly increase diversity and the number of trees, to a sustainable level and to provide for the most suitable and native species and include big, tall species as well as low canopy species that will thrive and create a balanced ecosystem. An ongoing tree replacement and new tree planting program will always exist. Replacement trees must be of “equal” value to the original. If, for example, a sixty year old native Douglas fir-tree was removed you have to replace it with trees that are the same species and variety and of equal environmental, aesthetic and monetary value. In this case equal replacement value could be 30, four-year old, or 15, eight year old, native Douglas firs, placed strategically throughout the community, where they will thrive and without concerns for whether they will block someone’s future view, to be preserved, protected and maintained for their expected life times.
Diana Beresford – Kroeger, (The Global Forest, 2010) offers us some insights and a possible solution, namely, a BIOPLAN:
“Nature’s plants and trees are being assaulted and some are dying and many are going extinct due to greed and ignorance. Old growth forests may soon disappear. Humanity is only one species of nature and also may soon face the same fate, unless we look to nature and into our souls for the answers. We must become one with nature.
We must take positive action. Air, land, oceans and water, plants, animals and people must heal and be purified. We must maintain BIODIVERSITY. We must BIOPLAN, which first involves choosing epicentre trees for our urban forest. We first preserve and protect our large native trees, for example Douglas firs and cedars, and if we do not have enough to create balance and diversity, we plant more. These trees must be from the highest and best genetic origin, from mother trees that are the oldest and healthiest specimens around. The genetic material of the epicentre trees will hold through climate change, drought and pestilence. These trees have internal characteristics that are vital to the life of an urban forest. Trees must be planted from seeds of the best quality, from superior genetic stock and then these trees must be preserved and protected forever. Once the native epicentre trees are protected, DIVERSITY, is introduced, with a mix of evergreen, conifers and deciduous trees, planted by seed or sapling. We plant various tree species including food and medicinal trees. We plant trees, that when mature, will be a variety of sizes. That is not just low canopy species that do not obstruct views. Then come the perennials that also would be natives to the area. Then bird boxes go up….
With existing native tall trees, protected, plus newly planted native trees growing, we will have a new view of trees, with a new respect and appreciation for them. Trees will become our new view, our new reality and our hope for the future. With time, a forest is born from a BIOPLAN.”
To help reverse our local environmental problems we need to have this BIOPLAN where we plant trees, especially our native conifers, from the highest and best genetic origin, from the oldest and healthiest specimens. Then, once planted, our trees and forests need to be preserved and protected in perpetuity. We also need to have a complete tree inventory, and register ALL of the existing and future planted trees in White Rock, on ALL City and private lands, with plant names, locations, dates and attached number tags, with information on the tag stating that trees are protected by law, in perpetuity and are to be maintained and cared for only by professionals, that is, certified arborists, and educated trained and experienced horticulturists and gardeners.
Value Trees 