The town has rejected a Virgil couple’s request not to pay $750 to chop down a tree on their property; however, the municipality is offering the couple some grace in how they could pay the tree-cutting fee.
In November, arborist Harry Althorpe, the town’s urban forestry officer, approved the removal of a corkscrew willow tree in the backyard of Gerard and Corrine Baron’s home, after they applied for a tree removal permit in September.
However, that permit came with two conditions outlined in a town bylaw: the Barons would need to either plant three replacement trees on their property or elsewhere in town, or pay a $750 fee.
That $750 price tag is too steep, say the Barons, who appeared before council during this month’s committee of the whole planning meeting.
“The cost of replacing these trees is too high,” Corrine Baron told council. “We can’t afford it.”
Gerard Baron added that hiring an arborist to remove the tree would cost about $2,000 out of pocket.
Ultimately, council rejected their appeal, citing its need to uphold the municipal tree bylaw.
When the Barons applied for a tree removal permit last September, they cited concerns about the tree’s close proximity to a storm drain.
In a letter to the town, they warned the roots could eventually clog the drain and create “a big problem for the neighbourhood.” They also said the willow had already killed a smoke tree and an apple tree by blocking sunlight.
Althorpe inspected the tree in November and found it in good health, but still approved its removal. He said corkscrew willows tend to grow large and could eventually overwhelm other vegetation in the yard.
“This tree, within the next five to 10 years, has the chance to really take over their whole backyard,” Althorpe told council during the July 8 virtual meeting.
He also noted they wouldn’t be exempt from these conditions — their case doesn’t qualify for one.
The Barons rejected those conditions, resulting in the town denying their permit. They then exercised their right to appeal to council.
In response to the Barons’ appeal to council, Coun. Adriana Vizzari proposed a “friendly amendment” to offer the Barons a payment plan to help cover the cost; council agreed to Vizzari’s suggestion.
This means if the Barons were to keep their permit to cut down the tree, they would have to pay the fee. If they decide not to keep their removal permit, the corkscrew willow tree would remain in their backyard.
Coun. Sandra O’Connor supported the town’s position on the case.
“We need to enforce our bylaws,” she said.
The bylaw’s replanting requirement supports the town’s broader environmental goals, said Coun. Wendy Cheropita.
“It’s really important to us for environmental reasons and others,” she said, referring to the town’s efforts to build a stronger tree canopy, the coverage of trees in the municipal area.
Coun. Maria Mavridis asked if there was a list of acceptable replacement trees.
“We’re pretty open to what gets planted, as long as it’s not something invasive,” Althorpe replied.
