A Ladner residential street affectionately referred to as “Candy Cane Lane” is in for a change.
The city received a petition from over 40 homeowners on 55A Street upset most of the street’s cherry trees are to eventually come down to make way for different species of trees.
The petition reads that a group has gotten together and met with the municipality regarding diseased cherry trees that are most on Delta-owned land.
“They are willing to take out our old trees and replace them with a new one. This tree would be a white dogwood and it will grow to a height of approximately 20 feet. They want to do this over a 3 year period. In order to accomplish this we will need everyone on the street to sign,” the petition reads.
A memo to council from city manager Sean McGill notes the entire street was planted at the time of development with a monoculture of ornamental cherry trees and 30 trees exist today, with 27 of the original plantings remaining.
The three trees that have been removed were replaced with a maple species, while most of the remaining ones are near the end of their maturity period and surface roots having an impact on driveways, causing the surface to heave.
Delta's Urban Forestry staff have reviewed the condition of the trees and note 19 are in fair-to-poor condition.
Two of the trees are on private property and the remaining eight are in good condition, but one needs to be removed soon due to driveway damage, he explained.
“55A Street was developed all at the same time, approximately 35 years ago. The housing is of the same style and the neighbours tend to decorate the street seasonally. It has been referred to as ‘Candy Cane Lane’. The number of petition signatures is an indication of how the neighbours are unified in their position. There is a definite preference to recreate the unified look that the cherry trees once provided Staff have provided some suggestions as to more suitable trees.” McGill’s memo noted.
Discussion has also occurred around a phased approach over several years to the replacement but the scale of this tree replacement is likely to be noticeable, he added.
During council’s online meeting last week, Coun. Lois Jackson brought up the 55A Street situation, wondering if the city will be reviewing its overall tree replacement policy.
McGill noted staff are going to prepare a comprehensive report on a new strategy to get even more trees planted in the city as soon as normal business can resume.
