A main street reconstruction project in Dashwood has prompted protest from this local property owner, whose 75 year old tulip tree, has been slated for removal.
The property owner, Craig Munshaw, first learned of the tree’s fate during meetings for infrastructure improvements last November. Despite expressing concerns at public meetings and providing assessments from arborists indicating that the tree was healthy and would survive construction, Munshaw received extended periods of silence from county officials – with several months spanning between emails.
Munshaw suggested low-impact sidewalks, and also said that with his home being second to last from the end of the sidewalk, the pathway is underutilised, and doesn’t necessitate replacing.
Prior to leaving for vacation in early April, he believed that he and the county had reached a compromise, using the first of two phases of construction as a litmus test for the tree’s ability to withstand the project.
He expressed frustration at what he perceives as a lack of genuine consideration for alternatives to removal.
One of Munshaw’s neighbours has a sidewalk that diverts away from a large tree, a solution which he floated | Photo submitted
A discussion at County Council’s meeting on April 17th saw the conversation focussed around public safety, and concern about liability should the tree fall over due to disturbance of it’s root system.
Director of Public Works Imran Khalid said that they had explored alternatives, but ultimately the tree posed a threat should it become destabilised.
Public safety was top of mind for South Huron Mayor George Finch.
Munshaw’s home is extremely close to the end of the sidewalk, and he and his neighbour agree that it isn’t frequently used | Photo by B. Shakyaver
Council voted in favour of removing the tree, despite the fact that according to Munshaw, it is on his property.
County officials offered to replace the heritage tree with two others. However, Munshaw knows that those trees will fail to measure up in his lifetime.
Written by: B. Shakyaver