Losing too many trees

Dear Editor:

RE: Controversial severance approved for Arthur forest, June 25. 

We loved seeing the results from your recent weekly poll that found a whopping 89% of respondents said that municipalities should do more to protect woodlots.  

Wellington North council, are you listening?

 Further to this, our organization is researching compensation options for the loss of a tree. There are several approaches; some are based on the diameter of the tree and some are based on the volume of wood lost in the trunk. Suffice it to say, the typical practice of two new trees for one removed tree does not come close to replacing what is lost, nor the resources needed to grow new trees.

Imagine the land, effort and money required to replace a woodlot? Factoring in the environmental, social and health benefits afforded by our trees, it is far better to preserve what we have: when it comes to big trees, when they’re gone, they’re gone.

Toni Ellis,
Executive Director, Tree Trust, Elora