Not in my backyard

Times Contributor

 

Lance Knapton appeared at Town Council on June 5, to ask the Town to develop a bylaw that would require the owners of trees to pay for costs that neighbours incur through leaf drift and shedding. Knapton’s neighbour has 50 ft poplar trees. 

“My issue is not a few leaves or branches. I removed 30 bags of leaves last year, on top of the branches I removed over the course of the summer. There were 10 more bags of leaves sitting over the winter that had to be removed this spring. I paid $165 for a lawn maintenance company to rake an additional 15 bags of leaves and it will cost $1,000 for trimming upper branches,” said Knapton.

He said the trees are also causing property damage with their sticky bud shed. He has an antique car that has been affected by buds as well.

“I’ve got sticky buds all over my truck, all over my car, all over my steps, my back walk, all over my roof and my gutters are full. I have to get up there and clean it up,” said Knapton.

He brought pictures for the councillors to see. He offered to pay half the costs for clean up, or to have the trees removed. His neighbour would not agree to split the cost with him. It was noted that this is an issue all over town and in other municipalities.

“I appreciate trees,”said Knapton. “…but, I feel if you have trees like that, you should be responsible for them.”

If the trees had been infringing on power lines, the power company would be able to trim them. It was suggested that Council could write a letter on his behalf to the neighbour, but private property issues don’t fall under municipal bylaws. They are dealt with in civil court. Knapton replied he did not have confidence in the court system and it would cost a lot more. Councillors expressed sympathy for his dilemma, but denied his request for a bylaw. They asked that administration check on possible solutions used by other municipalities.