About 200,000 trees to be lost to Emerald Ash Borer continued from p.1 "The cedars that were going to stay up for noise and to visually hide the destruction, are now scheduled to come down today or tomorrow," Mary Street homeowner Catherine Bobesich told Oakvillegreen and the Oakville Beaver earlier this week. "My house will now be in a fish bowl (as are many other neighbouring homes) as all the trees beside and behind me are coming down. We are exposed to Dorval and the entire mess of the DND lands," Bobesich outlined in an email. Other residents have complaints about tree loss at the interior of the site, stating trees, initially earmarked for protection, are being removed. Town officials say that with the exception of five trees inappropriately cut down early on at the north end of the site -- for which the developer is making amends beyond what is required -- the builder is within the plan approved by the Town. They noted that to make amends for the mistakenly removed trees, more trees would be planted than were removed. According to Community Development Commissioner Jane Clohecy, the initial tree protection plan also changed as the development plan moved through approval stages. Initially, 135 trees were to be removed. When the tree preservation plan was finalized in November, an additional 22 trees were to come down to accommodate servicing of the site. "Putting in the servicing (roads, sewers, etc.), it impacted more of the trees and most of the trees within the centre portion of the lot were required to come down," said Clohecy. "It is mostly the trees around the perimeter that were protected in that plan because they literally have to level the site in order to be able to service it." Of the total 300 trees on the property, 162 were removed. Of those, 48 were described as being in poor health, dead or dying, and 114 in fair condition. It was also pointed out that a minimum of 145 publicly-owned trees would be planted on the property and that residents who move into the development are expected to add trees of their own. Clohecy said Town representatives visit the construction site regularly to monitor construction progress. Ward 2 Town Councillor Pam Damoff said what is happening on the DND site was public knowledge. "I'm sickened by seeing trees coming down as well, but I think part of the problem is that people look at a sheet of paper and see a whole bunch of dots and it shows the tree plan, but then when they actually come down, it's huge," she said. "This is something I've actually said to staff that we need to do a better job of." Damoff said it is important to remember that 50 per cent of the trees on the site are being preserved. "As sad as it is, they have not gone out and clear-cut some place and broken all the rules," said the area councillor. "If anything, Canada Lands has worked with the Town. They are going to be using the new planting standards that we passed for north Oakville. They are actually doing more than what is required of them in the new planting." While Oakvillegreen president Karen Brock did not accuse anyone of wrongdoing at the DND site, she admitted things need to change with regard to tree preservation in Oakville. "Oakvillegreen is very concerned about the loss of mature trees on the DND lands, but we are equally concerned, in general, about the continuing loss to the Oakville tree canopy to things like infill development, which we realize needs to happen, and new development and the Emerald Ash Borer," said Brock. "I think many people still don't realize that we are going to lose almost 200,000 trees to the Emerald Ash Borer." Brock said there must be more focus on protecting the trees Oakville has now as well as planting new trees for future. If this is not done, Brock fears Oakville will not reach its goal of a 40 per cent canopy cover by 2057. Oakvillegreen plans to meet with area residents' associations at Town Hall on Friday, April 26 to discuss ways to work together to prevent the further devastation of mature trees in Oakville. Brock said this is a particularly important discussion to have now with the development of the former school properties in the southeast on the horizon. 3 | Friday, April 12, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com inside today's Editorial Sports Beaver www.insideHALTON.com Dell Computers, Jenkins Agency Dr. Green Lawncare, Holland Park Garden, Alexanian Carpet, The Vitamin Store, New Homes, Sheridan College, Signature Landscaping Inc., Halton Vacuum Depot, Smart Source, Goeman's Appliances, QSI Windows & Doors Full Delivery: Partial Delivery: 6 27 Artscene Classified 26 33 For home delivery & customer service call 905-631-6095, 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington New subscriptions call 905-631-6095 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com DENTISTRY FOR CHILDREN means... 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