City asks residents to help water trees

fluffy says:

The city wants me to water their grass and trees? My water bills are high enough. My grass looks fantastic but the boulevard in front of my house looks like crap. It's their problem.

8/11/2011 2:57:28 PM

GSP says:

What the majority of people don't seem to understand is the philosophy of 'environmental stewardship' where we, as residents of Thunder Bay take some degree of ownership and pride for the greenspaces, trees, rivers and streams that make Thunder Bay such a unique and wonderful place to live. If running your garden hose once or twice a week to help a boulevard tree out that provides your property and neighbourhood with countless benefits is too much to ask than that really says alot about some of our residents. Give your head a shake if you think the City can water the thousands, yes thousands of boulevard trees throughout our city. What might take 10 minutes and $2 out of your week could make the difference between a tree living and dying.

8/12/2011 3:34:12 PM

RECYCLER says:

And how much is that YOU THE CITY will take off my WATER BILL - THEY don't say that? When we ask the city for something "EAT YOUR HEART OUT" is the reply we'll do as we want. NOW if the overpayed CITY MANAGERS alone cough up 10% of their wages since they are so concerned we could water every tree in the CITY for a month. YOU got your nerve.

8/11/2011 3:16:36 PM

AJ147 says:

Sure thing. I want an even bigger water bill from the pinheads at city hall. Water your own damn trees!!!

8/11/2011 3:19:07 PM

ibrando says:

I read the story, looked at my recent water bill, read the story again, sorry not a chance!

8/11/2011 3:23:23 PM

Sandwiches1123 says:

I would water trees if my water bill weren't so high. It is too bad we couldn't spend some of our tax dollars watering the trees instead of sinking money into other poorly managed city projects...

Are we going to have to plow are own roads this winter?

8/11/2011 3:35:09 PM

ricknb says:

Ha HA, water your trees at my expence, I am the one that has to pay your inflated water bill and the sewer fee for every drop I use, get a grip!

8/11/2011 3:41:53 PM

chezhank says:

If water rates were not so high people may consider it.Give residents a discount to do so!

8/11/2011 3:51:01 PM

chezhank says:

Can they use the fire hydrants?

8/11/2011 4:16:23 PM

cachinnate says:

What watering restrictions?!?! The city has not imposed the odd/even watering restrictions for the past two summers.

8/11/2011 3:52:01 PM

cachinnate says:

8/11/2011 3:55:14 PM

westfort resident says:

Duh - install some rain barrels, City of Thunder Bay. Many of us already have them due to rising water bills. Maybe EcoSuperior will give the corporation a discount rate on the barrels? Wouldn't hurt to ask. Do your own part to be Water Wise. Lead by example.

8/11/2011 4:39:24 PM

Sandwiches1123 says:

Yes rain barrels are a great idea for collecting water but again, why are the residents being asked to water trees that are not on the property owned by the people. I have a mature tree in my front yard that has some dead or dying branches on it. However, I am not allowed to cut them down because the tree is on the boulevard. So it is okay for me to water the tree but when the tree is using more water than it really needs as it tries to repair those dying branches, I am not allowed to cut the branches off to help reduce the amount of water it needs?

Furthermore, the real issue is that the city has mismanaged its funds SO BADLY that it now is asking residents to use their private water, whether on the city's water system or from a rain barrel to take care of a tree that, for all intents and purposes, does not belong to the individual.

I guess we should measure out how much water we are using to help the city and either ask for a rebate, invoice the city, or get the city to water our backyard gardens next year. Do you think any of this will work?

8/12/2011 9:47:14 AM

tannharr says:

WOW! Talk about lack of City Pride! What is happening to Thunder Bay? People complain that the city looks like crap, but then they complain their taxes are too high! You want the city to spend more money on beautification projects, then prepare to have taxes raised. They're asking for a watering can of water to water a tree near your home. Surely it would cost you pennies to do so. In the end, your yard looks nice, your neighbourhood looks nice, and you feel good about keeping Thunder Bay beautiful.

Keep in mind, some cities make it the land owners responsibility to maintain trees, shrubs, grass and plowe the sidewalk in the winter on their property, even if it's the city owned boulevard or sidewalk. Not doing so results in fines.

Take pride in your city! You live here, why not help to keep it clean and beautiful. It's either that, or pay the city to do it, with increased taxes.

8/11/2011 4:45:20 PM

Sandwiches1123 says:

City Pride? You think that is what this issue is about? There is no way that after overspending and mismanaging several municipal projects to the tune of millions of dollars that this City and this council deserve any reprieve from scrutiny.

If you have such pride in your city and you think this issue is about City pride, why don't you use your water and water all of the trees around town. Maybe then you'll realize why residents are upset.

8/12/2011 9:53:03 AM

tannharr says:

I'm not saying this issue has anything to do with city pride. I'm saying the poor, negative comments are lacking in city pride. Why would I water all the trees around town? I would take care of a tree that is on my property, but maybe planted by the city through the Urban Forest program. It's there to add beautification to the city, and to each yard on the streets. Take a drive down some of the older streets, especially in the Vickers Park area and Mariday Park area. Those trees were planted decades ago, and I'm sure the original home owners took pride in looking after those trees so that they can be what they are today. A beautiful city is a happy city and vice versa. What's so wrong with doing your part to keep the city beautiful?

By the way, I wonder how many of you negative responders are ones that throw garbage out their car windows, or leaves it sitting in a parking lot, or throws gum and cigarette butts on the ground for the city workers to clean up. Garbage cans and cigarette cans are placed around the city for the same reason why we should all help water the trees. To keep Thunder Bay CLEAN!

8/12/2011 6:05:51 PM

Random says:

I like to think the majority of people posting ''negative'' comments on here ordinarily wouldn't have a problem with this, but you have to factor in a few issues that are getting people bent, myslef included. We pay higher then average taxes here and water bills continue to rise. The city asked it's citizens to do their part and reduce water consumption....people responded, water usage dropped, and the end result was less revenue for the city, and presto! higher water rates to make up for the shortfall. Along with our higher taxes (compared to other cities), we get brilliant council decisions like spending 900k+ on 2 bent light poles. Thats kinda like sprinkling salt in a wound don't you think? I for one would happily see that money spent on hiring summer students or purchasing new water trucks etc. It's difficult to buy into our city asking for some civic pride when council seems to have none of their own (just look around our decaying city centres).

8/13/2011 12:33:41 PM

advocate says:

For those complaining about the water bill, it is actually cheaper that we do our own watering than the city.

Think about this. The city will have a union guy making $20 an hour plus benefits (so closer to $27) to drive around town and water trees. That means higher taxes. You do it a little, probably not see an increase in your water bill, and taxes will not go up.

Essentially, the cost to your water bill is cheaper than the additional taxes paid for the service.

8/11/2011 4:53:47 PM

bonzo says:

the city cant water every tree.
if you dont want your trees to look terrible and die, water your dam trees.
or save water to use for this home project.

8/11/2011 5:15:43 PM

trent says:

We can't expect the city to drive around watering every tree in town.

8/11/2011 5:27:05 PM

or$en says:

used to be that a good homeowner also looked after the boulevard in front of their home and the piece of lane way behind their home

8/11/2011 6:53:08 PM

tiredofit says:

How about the city purchase a new water truck or two instead of spending 900k on freak'n SOS light show for the waterfront.

8/11/2011 7:37:52 PM

wayne says:

We already help the city by paying taxes and increased water rates for the next few years. A couple of years ago, a city by-law officer knocked on my door and said that the garbage and recycle collection will cease at my curbside if I did not prune the branches of an elm tree growing on city property in front of my house. I told them it was not my tree. I was then informed that if I did not prune the tree that the city would prune it for me and send me the bill. I did not want to pay a bill for five high-paid city workers and two trucks (because we all know that it would take 5 of them to do the job). I pruned the tree and placed the branches and such on my property with the intention of asking my neighbour to help me haul them to the landfill. A few days later another by-law officer came by and said I had three days to remove the branches or else I would get fined. Later that summer, we had a few consecutive heavy-rainfall days. My basement became flooded. The street was flooded, so I called the city. Five goes showed up to take care of the sewer problem. I asked them to take care of my flooded basement, and they said they would, but that I would be charged a fee because that very tree that I pruned, on city property, had its roots choking the sewer line. Now having said all that, I am one for keeping my yard beautiful, and I even cut the city property grass. But to ask me to help them?...give me a break! Oh, and by the way as I type this I hear a thunderstorm brewing and we are expecting up to 10mm of rain.

8/11/2011 8:10:23 PM

wayne says:

Of course it would be ridiculous to expect the City to water every tree on city property. But if you think that it will take just a watering can worth of water to help a mature tree, think again! The weather forecast is looking good for rain for more than a few days over the next week, don't sweat it.

8/11/2011 8:15:14 PM

wayne says:

p.s. the average volume of water a mature tree requires per day is 50 gallons...which rises to 150 t0 250 gallons per day on hot days. For young trees (newly planted) it is one gallon per day and up to to 10 gallons per day on hot days. That's a lot of watering cans! Also, the root zone has to be fully watered. Half of the root zones of the trees on city property in residential areas are under sidewalks and paved streets. No way to water those roots.

8/11/2011 8:32:17 PM

wayne says:

If you have just planted trees on YOUR property, by all means water them to keep them thriving. Most mature trees, unless they are at the end of their life, are extremely hardy. They are 'stressed' during certain dry and even wet seasons, but they continue to live. But don't worry about those trees that are at the end of their life, they will be relocated to Marina Park to replace the rotting 'seats'. I don't know for sure, but if a log is left out in the elements, how long before insects, pests, rot, fungi, etc. take up residence? Does that sound inviting to sit upon?

8/11/2011 8:51:51 PM

wayne says:

Is the City watering the trees at Chippewa Park, Boulevard, Friendship Gardens, Vickers Park, et al?

8/11/2011 8:54:11 PM

bonzo says:

Wayne to go!

8/12/2011 1:03:55 PM

nvjgu says:

What happened to water conservation. Idiot's.

8/11/2011 8:54:13 PM

ANVIL OF CROM says:

I can see the logic of people NOT watering trees that they dont actually own ie: on the boulevard.
But heres a take on that, an interesting story. Years back i worked for the city as a summer student. The tree planting crew would get a list of where to plant trees on boulevards, many by the request of residents. It was maddening to plant a tree and then request the resident to water them, only to get the resident to outright refuse!!
The tree would usually die, and the resident would complain and request another.
Their were more then a few of these folks well known to the regular city workers.
After a year or two the city would refuse to plant only to have a vigorous complaint by the resident.

I have seen it happen!

8/11/2011 10:14:59 PM

porkchop_sandwiches says:

What a bunch of whiners. " Wah, I'm not paying to water YOUR trees." How much effort does it take to toss an empty garbage can under your eaves trough to collect FREE RAIN WATER to dump at the base of a tree? This is the kind of crying our city is famous for. If you don't want to, then don't, but don't complain about trees and boulevards looking like crap.

8/12/2011 7:50:44 AM

SadButTrue says:

The city simply asks that we be conscious of the fact that the trees on our properties can be deprived of water. As are the ones on their properties. 1000 litres of water is less than a tim hortons coffee. While the water rates have drastically gone up in recent years a 1000 litres of water split up throughout a couple days and trees will barely cost anyone anything but can help the plants on or near our properties.

If it was the city asking us to street sweep our roads, or bring our garbage to the dump then we should be asking for rebates. But an appeal to save plants people are going to get in a huff about?

8/12/2011 8:18:44 AM

Ihalf2say says:

I use my sink water after doing dishes... the tub water and laundry water - simply syphon with your garden hose and watering can. My lawn, flowers, garden and city tree are beautiful. Just recycle folks - you already paid for it. HAVE a NICE DAY

8/12/2011 9:46:28 AM

Chris says:

I agree with recycling the water that you already pay for. I guess the only issue would be to use cleaning and personal hygiene products that are not harmful to the environment. Great idea. Everyone should have rain barrels which would eliminate all outdoor watering. If one rain barrel wont do, buy two. I do agree that the city asking us to water their property is a little presumptuous. How far would they be willing to go in terms of asking us to help out? What will be the next favor the City will ask of us?

8/12/2011 11:52:31 AM

buzzerd says:

How about this- can people stop being such losers for five whole minutes of the day and water the stupid tree in front on there house and consider the 50c worth of water an investment in your neighbourhood.

8/12/2011 12:36:29 PM

Wattif says:

YOU bet ... "I'll get right on that".

--- "OH yeah, about lowering my watering bill?
--- & the overpayed Manager's wages...?"

8/12/2011 12:59:36 PM

rootbear says:

Wow, how did parks division think residents would react to this request? Leave that job for mother nature.

8/12/2011 1:13:41 PM

tiredofit says:

I hear come winter, to help reduce costs, the city will be asking all residents to shovel the snow off of the city streets in front of their residences. However, don't pile it up too high, or the city bylaw folks will nail you for that as well.

8/12/2011 2:13:19 PM

Renegade120860 says:

"Urban Forest Program Specialist Rena Viehbeck said some trees around the city have been experiencing stress, with leaves turning a lighter green colour, browning, and wilting".

Well I say that citizens around the city have been experiencing severe stress, including fits of rage, whenever we hear about another stupid city council decision that involves dipping into taxpayer pockets!!!!

The people should not fear City Hall, City Hall should fear the people!

8/12/2011 4:20:53 PM

Kidknapp says:

Since you want me to maintain YOUR tree, maybe I should cut it down and then it wouldn't need to be watered. If it can't survive mother nature, so be it!

8/12/2011 6:22:19 PM

panzerIV says:

Just so everyone is aware. The province mandated that water services pay for themselves, which is why the huge price increases in the past couple years. Yes, there is inflation in there that they are paying for but the majority is the provinces fault.

8/13/2011 10:38:03 AM

stairwayto7 says:

I have to say some of these comments are about as immature as a 2 year old as dumb as some of George bush's quotes.

8/14/2011 11:43:34 PM

sadiegirl says:

$10 says everyone will complain in a while when all the trees are brown and look crappy.

8/15/2011 11:59:31 AM

The Badger Mountain Hermit says:

Any half-intelligent country gardener uses grey water to supplement. If the high-up mucky-mucks designing our "society" really cared (other than for your money), every home would/should have a separate grey water system.

8/16/2011 9:30:20 AM

observer says:

I can't afford to water my own garden, why should I look after the city's job

8/16/2011 11:20:54 PM