Residents push for stronger bylaws that will protect urban forest by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff 11 | Friday, August 28, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com A group of residents in southwest Oakville is calling on the Town of Oakville to strengthen its bylaws to protect local trees and forested areas after several were downed in their neighbourhood last week. Under the current private tree bylaw, property owners are allowed to remove from their lots any sized tree less than 20 centimetre diameter-breast-height (dbh) -- and up to four trees totalling less than 76 cm dbh annually without a permit, but a Town notification process. A tree removal company has been downing dozens of trees on a waterfront estate since Aug. 18, which prompted area residents to contact the Town expressing their concern. "This land is about half an acre in size, right on the lake and has a stream running through it," Oakville resident Ereny Bassilious wrote to the Oakville Beaver last week. "It has a dense population of trees and shrubs. This forest area, over the years, has provided a lush canopy, which has become the habitat for many creatures, which we have been privileged to see, such as owls, turtles, red headed woodpeckers, blue jays, chickadees and a variety of other endangered, threatened and at-risk animals. There are also many mature butternut walnut trees Dozens of trees have been removed from a densely-treed area on a Westdale Road property near Lakeshore Road and Fourth Line area of south Oakville.| photo by Graham Paine Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or www.facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) in this forest, a now endangered species of trees." The wooded area is part of a 2.15-acre Westdale Road property that's listed for sale at $9.3 million. It is described as, "one of the last remaining large properties on the lake for redevelopment." Ward 2 Oakville Town and Regional Councillor Cathy Duddeck told the Beaver Tuesday the Town of Oakville has been working with residents and the property owner to address the situation. An inspector was sent to the site last week and Town staff have since stepped in, marking trees that are larger than 20 cm and under the protection of the private tree bylaw. Samples are being collected from all butternut trees on the property. The Ministry of Natural Resources, which administers protection of endangered species under the federal Species At Risk Act, has also been contacted to ensure the butternut walnut trees are handled appropriately. Bassilious, who lives across the street, said residents in the area aren't against development. They just want it to happen with all the "checks and balances in place." She said had they not intervened, she worries about what could've happened to the butternut walnut trees that seem to be thriving in that space. see Town on p. 12 Thank You Oakville for Choosing Us #1 Fireplace Centre! Feel the Warmth of TRAVIS Fireplaces When purchasing a Travis fireplace you will experience EFFICIENCY, DESIGN and TECHNOLOGY UNMATCHED in fireplaces! Visit us your Masonry and fireplace specialists today! 406 Speers Rd., Oakville | 905-337-2066 | www.cobblestonembers.ca As distinctive as you are You are unique. Your family is unique. Ask our trusted specialists about personalized options for lasting remembrance, and preserve the memory of one special life forever. Call today to take the first step: 905-257-1100 Look for us on Facebook glenoaks.ca Glen Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery by Arbor Memorial 3164 Ninth Line (403 & Dundas St.), Miss./Oakville, ON Arbor Memorial Inc. Family Owned. Proudly Canadian.