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Tree trimming raises the ire of Guelph resident

Upset at lack of consultation before a 60-year-old maple on her property gets significant pruning
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Jennifer MacKenzie stands in front of the maple tree on her Alma Street South property. Tony Saxon/GuelphToday

Jennifer MacKenzie wasn't too happy Tuesday morning when she woke up to the sound of a tree being chainsawed outside her home.

She was even more upset when she realized the tree they were cutting was a 60-year-old maple on her property.

"I heard a lot of noise and there they were, already hacking at my tree," MacKenzie said. "I said 'stop! stop! this is my property. Get off my property.'"

MacKenzie lives at 96 Alma St. S., just north of Waterloo Avenue.

Aging hydro poles have and are being replaced on that street and some tree trimming is necessary.

But MacKenzie says they were given no notice of the trimming and that the "amputating" that was done was well in excess of what was needed for the new hydro pole's location several metres away from the old pole and her tree.

In fact she feels the trimming was done with the old pole that will be removed in mind, not the new pole.

Basically, she thinks someone messed up.

Guelph Hydro uses a contractor to do the tree trimming but does so under the guidance of a certified arborist.

Guelph Hydro spokesperson Sandy Manners said that notices were sent out regarding the new hydro poles being installed, but "unfortunately the notices neglected to mention trimming trees would be part of it."

Manners said tree trimming is done conscientiously but with safety and service in mind.

"The tree canopy is very important, but when it comes to hydro poles and hydro wires, what is really important is the safety of the public and our workers as well as maintaining service," Manners said.

MacKenzie said the hefty trimming of her tree "is not necessary for where the pole's going."

The old pole does have other services attached to it and it is not known when those are coming down.

She called Guelph Hydro and spoke to the foreman of the crew doing the work, but said "there's not a lot that can be done now."

"It completely changes the streetscape when this type of thing happens," she said. As for MacKenzie, she is saddened by the new shape of her tree but said she finds the lack of consultation "most galling."

"They need to do a better job of informing people. I'm extremely disappointed that there was no consultation," MacKenzie said.

 


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Tony Saxon

About the Author: Tony Saxon

Tony Saxon has had a rich and varied 30 year career as a journalist, an award winning correspondent, columnist, reporter, feature writer and photographer.
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