Residents on Saskatchewan Crescent East are concerned about the recent removal of three city-owned trees in their neighbourhood.
On Friday, two spruce trees and one elm tree were removed from a lot in the 900 block of the street.
In a statement, city officials expressed their disappointment.
“The City is greatly disturbed with the removal of three publicly-owned trees on Saskatchewan Crescent East. However, there is a process we must follow before anyone is in a position to make any allegation of wrongdoing; an investigation — which started Friday — remains active.”
The city said it rarely sees unauthorized tree removals, but when it does they use an appraisal system and then pursue the property owner for compensation. In this case, the three trees removed along 18th street, adjacent to a property on Saskatchewan Crescent East, were valued at $22,000.
The city said once the investigation is complete it will share its findings with the City Solicitor’s Office and the Saskatoon Police Service, if necessary.
For now, some nearby neighbours are left unhappy.
“I was shocked to see these trees being cut down,” said 30-year resident of the area, Linda McMullen. “To see this kind of development that’s happening on this side of the block, it’s really disgusting.
Nearby neighbour John Hyshka agreed. “The trees are a part of the character of the neighbourhood, but it's always disappointing to see people come in, knock the trees down that make the neighbourhood beautiful and think they can do whatever they want."
The city said its Parks Division staff are looking into further options to replace the city-owned trees.
