Downtown Sudbury residents upset after tree removed to make way for parking

The loss of a healthy silver maple tree— that was cut down on private property to make more parking space— has upset those living on Sudbury's Ramsey Road.

Losing the tree has residents asking if the city should be issuing a permit for such removals.

The city says it does not get involved with issues like this, as it happened on private property.

But residents like Claudia Ferreira McGibbon question whether that should change.

"I thought that they — for sure — needed to have a permit, so the reason would have to be stated," she said.

"My husband actually went out and talked to them and we later found out that a permit wasn't needed and they were clearing it for parking."

Cutting down trees can affect an entire neighbourhood, Ferreira McGibbon said. She wants the city to issues permits before a tree can be cut. That way residents would have a chance to find out why the removal was happening and have an opportunity to object to it.

Ferreira McGibbon said the tree in question was at least 15 meters high and the diameter was "...well, you couldn't wrap your arms around it."

Hazel Ecclestone, who has lived in the same neighbourhood for 3.5 years, said it took the whole day on Saturday to bring the tree down.

"And they were right back at it, at nine in the morning on Sunday."

CBC News contacted the property owner about the tree but he had no comment.

Ecclestone said the City of Sudbury should mirror cities like Toronto and have bylaws in place for removing trees on private property.

In Toronto, a non-construction related application costs $104.96 per tree to remove privately owned trees not associated with construction or related activity.

The application to remove a city tree in Toronto costs $313.99 per tree.

The City of Greater Sudbury currently has no rules that apply to tree removal on private property. In an email, the city told CBC News that residents should call 3-1-1 to make sure a tree is not on municipal property before it's removed.

The city has discussed allowing for the designation of heritage trees — though nothing has been decided.