Tree poisoner could face $400K in fines after decades-old elm, several aspens killed in Kelowna

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Someone could be fined as much as $400,000 if the City of Kelowna finds out who's behind the recent deaths of several local trees.

The municipal tree bylaw includes fines of up to $50,000 per tree for anyone caught vandalizing or removing trees on city property.

Staff members are looking for the person or people behind the deaths of eight trees in the city.

One was a decades-old elm on Manhattan Drive. The city said in a statement Friday that the 60-plus-year-old tree was "recently poisoned" and died.

The city had to remove the tree from a riparian zone, an operation that cost about $5,000.

Another seven trees were killed in the city's Kuipers Peak neighbourhood. The city said it seems someone meant to poison just one of the aspens on an area known as Clarance Greenspace – at Clarance Avenue and Kuipers Crescent – but because of the trees' connected root systems, several more died as well.

City staff said these trees were in an area considered a wet forest, where deciduous trees moderate the groundwater, helping to stabilize nearby slopes and prevent landslides.

The city believes whoever poisoned the trees did it on purpose, though it was unclear from the news release how staff came to that conclusion.

"These intentional acts of harm to our trees are really tragic and senseless," Kelowna urban forestry technician Tara Bergeson said in the statement.

"With all the benefits that trees provide our city, the big question when it comes to tree vandalism is 'why?'"

The city is looking for tips, and asks those with more information to call 250-469-8500, or to contact Crime Stoppers if they wish to remain anonymous.