The article about Vancouver’s plan to preserve and increase trees is way too late in coming (“A fine balance: Vancouver juggles protecting trees, managing growth as population expands,” The Columbian, Nov. 16).
Here in east Vancouver we watch helplessly as stands of mature trees are decimated in favor of developers who always get what they want. The Urban Forestry department has no power, no teeth — and this is deliberate.
If the Vancouver City Council really cared about our environment it would pass regulations that give Urban Forestry first approval to any development plan before it’s allowed to break ground. Large trees must be preserved because the planet doesn’t have another 40 years to wait for baby trees to grow up.
Oh, and as much as we love the fall colors of our deciduous trees, the state of Washington used to be called the Evergreen State for a reason. Replacing stands of evergreens with cheap maples is not acceptable. If I sound angry about all this, it’s because I am. Growth for growth’s sake is not responsible management — it’s just greed.
