The city's decision to axe some nuisance trees has some councillors worried they have set a precedent.
City council voted 7-6 Monday night to remove six tamarack trees on Mohawk Crescent after residents complained that needles from the trees were clogging gutters, causing damage to roofs and getting inside of vehicle engines.
Northwood Coun. Mark Bentz said the trees were a health and safety concern and that removing them, which are on city property, is about being good neighbours.
"They basically rain down needles,” he said. "We're here to resolve issues like this."
But Coun. Andrew Foulds said that the $8,500 removal might mean that other people throughout the city will want trees removed if it means extra yard work.
Coun. Trevor Giertuga said he has to clean leaves off of his roof too. If the city removes the trees on Mohawk, there will be plenty of people in his ward that will want the same thing.
"Are they falling and poking people, the top of their heads?” Giertuga asked of the Tamarack needles. "Should we get out and start cleaning people's eaves troughs?”
Many councillors, including Coun. Linda Rydholm, had been to the neighbourhood to see the damage caused by the trees. She said the trees are more than a nuisance, they were causing damage to property.
The trees will be replaced with white spruce.
