Tree poisoner could face $400K in fines after decades-old elm, several aspens killed in Kelowna
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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
A Holocaust survivor will mark that history differently after the horrors of Oct. 7
This year's Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins on Sunday evening in Israel, carries a heavier weight than usual for many Jews around the world.
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members and honoured her late mother during separate ceremonies Sunday in Victoria as she wrapped up a three-day British Columbia West Coast royal visit.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.