A West End resident is hoping the city will get to the root of a thorny issue in his neighbourhood.
John Unger urged council to remove five acacia trees that are growing on the city’s boulevard in the 1400 block of Dublin Street.
“They are dangerous,” he told council.
To prove his point, Unger brought samples of the acacia trees’ roots and thorny branches that are growing in his yard.
“If it was just the roots, I could deal with that. But the thorns on these things are incredible. They will hook you,” he said. “My grandchildren can’t even run in the front yard.”
Unger said he’s raised concerns about the trees with city staff for years, but has been told it’s too expensive to remove the trees.
“We have been dealing with this for 10 years,” he said. “There were nine trees originally planted; there are five left. What’s happening is, and according to the B.C. Horticultural Society, the city has planted what they consider to be an invasive tree.”
Despite the acacia trees’ “incredible” scent, Unger said they are messy as they have aphids in the summer. Most concerning is the fact that the roots have travelled up to 50 feet from the tree and popped up in residents’ yards.
“At last count, in a 10-foot square I had 14 of these,” he said.
Unger said a city horticulturalist and arborist came by to check out the trees last September, but he didn’t hear back from them.
“That’s why I am bringing my roots to you,” he said.
Council referred the matter to the city’s director of parks and recreation for a report back to council.
“They say a picture is worth 1,000 words but I think actually bringing the root right in must be worth 1,001 words,” said Mayor Jonathan Cote.
