It took 10 minutes, and the first of three small but contentious trees on Royal Avenue was cut down and fed into the chipper.
A tree-cutting crew arrived on the City of White Rock land at daybreak Wednesday to start what couldn’t be done the day before, when police were called to the site to monitor a peaceful but determined effort to prevent the cutting of trees in the 15100-block of Royal.
The targeted trees had been at the centre of ongoing controversy that has heightened since White Rock council granted a request by some area residents to remove them. The residents had complained the trees were blocking their views, and made an official request to have them removed last summer.
As per stipulations in the city’s tree bylaw adopted last year, the request was initially denied after one couple – Doug and Karen Ellerbeck, whose property abuts the land where the trees are – objected.
Council voted to reverse the decision Jan. 24.
Last week, the Ellerbecks said the city offered to remove just two of the three trees if they consented, or all three if they didn’t.
On Tuesday, less than an hour after arriving to remove the cedar and plum trees, tree-cutters packed up their yellow ‘caution’ tape, orange pylons and chainsaws and moved on.
But White Rock city arbourist Aelicia Otto would not promise protester Paul Wilkes the workers wouldn’t be back – possibly even later that afternoon.
“I can’t make that assurrance,” Otto told Wilkes.
Instead, they arrived the next morning at 7 a.m., managing to remove one tree before Wilkes, who lives next door to the property, blocked the work.
Wilkes had also stood his ground the day before after learning the tree-cutters were on the way.
Wednesday, he woke to the sound of chainsaws and raced outside, but was too late to save the cedar. As workers started cutting the plum, he grabbed onto the tree and refused to let go.
“I held onto it. I said, ‘you’re not touching it, so don’t even try’,” he told Peace Arch News.
While the Ellerbecks maintain their rights were violated by the January decision, they agreed “under duress” last week to accept the city’s offer to retain one of the trees, replace a retaining wall and plant a hedge. It was the best of two options presented by the city, Doug Ellerbeck told PAN, describing the offer as “an ultimatum.” The other option would have resulted in the loss of all three trees, he said.
About a dozen concerned residents and neighbours turned out to the site last Friday to protest and collect signatures on a petition.
Two, including Wilkes, returned Tuesday. Ellerbeck was on hand for the demonstration, but did not participate.
Wilkes told police – who were called to keep the peace – he would not step aside for the tree-cutters.
“No. They’re not cutting them down,” Wilkes said. “If they start up that chainsaw, they’re going to have to go through me.”
After the tree-cutters left, Wilkes told PAN he, too, would be back if the workers return to try and do the job they were hired to do.
Surrounded by a handful of supporters who pledged to help, he reiterated the commitment Wednesday morning. The remaining trees will be watched in shifts, he said.
Wilkes said the city allowing trees to be cut solely for views sets a “horrendous precedent.” He is determined to keep fighting until the bylaw is either amended or revoked – a direction Ellerbeck also supports.
“This is a criminal policy which caters to people who have lots of money,” Wilkes said.
He hinted that councillors will be reminded of the group’s strong opposition to the bylaw at the March 21 council meeting.
“You might want to be at the meeting Monday night. It’s going to be quite active,” Wilkes said.
Protesters Sally Graham and Paul Wilkes speak to officers in the 15100-block of Royal Avenue Tuesday. Police were called after the pair refused to move out of the way of tree cutters hired to remove two of three trees targeted because residents complained they obstruct their views.
