Urban Forest Management Strategy

Stories

• Crimean Linden Tree

  by Wendy, almost 5 years ago
  CRIMEAN LINDEN trees are what not to plant in Surrey or anywhere! One was planted by the City of Surrey about 25 years in front of our house and on neighbors lawns down our street. The aphids infest it every year and excrete sticky droplets all summer on our vehicles, driveway, rock garden and plants. We have called and have had many City of Surrey arborists, over the years, come out to tell us this tree should have never been planted in a city, they are fast growing and meant for a windbreak on a farm, but because it’s a... Continue reading

  CRIMEAN LINDEN trees are what not to plant in Surrey or anywhere! One was planted by the City of Surrey about 25 years in front of our house and on neighbors lawns down our street. The aphids infest it every year and excrete sticky droplets all summer on our vehicles, driveway, rock garden and plants. We have called and have had many City of Surrey arborists, over the years, come out to tell us this tree should have never been planted in a city, they are fast growing and meant for a windbreak on a farm, but because it’s a healthy tree they won’t cut it down. So everyone hates it!! They have to walk on the street around the sticky mess (dangerous!) or friends and family’s vehicles get covered in minutes. The last thing I was told by the City of Surrey is to collect money from my neighbors to afford the couple thousand dollars we have to pay to have it removed!! I hope no one else gets burned by the City of Surrey like we did, considering there are so many native trees here that are so beautiful. Even though the city has had no problem taking down bigger trees and replacing them down the street in Don Christian Park.

• Any Evergreen Tree especially Cypress

  by kirabay, almost 5 years ago

  Too many deciduous trees are being planted by Surrey and wish you would plant more evergreen trees. Existing trees are being cut down for condos/large houses and they are not being replaced adequately. Surrey does not follow up and the trees that were to be saved are gone within a few months.

  Green Timbers is an exceptional park and would like to see a smaller version in the Newton area. Tons of development and little green space.

  Too many deciduous trees are being planted by Surrey and wish you would plant more evergreen trees. Existing trees are being cut down for condos/large houses and they are not being replaced adequately. Surrey does not follow up and the trees that were to be saved are gone within a few months.

  Green Timbers is an exceptional park and would like to see a smaller version in the Newton area. Tons of development and little green space.

• The Douglas Fir

  by The Tree Lady, almost 5 years ago
  I feel it is imperative to maintain the essential character of South Surrey and North Surrey also, by saving both the Douglas Fir and Western Cedar wherever possible. This can achieved in many ways. Firstly, maintaining the street trees, (168 north of 24th for example.) Set backs of new developments have been brought far to close to the road, (7 feet) making it almost impossible for the mature 100 foot trees to survive.

  Please don't forget the Rural Designation areas such as Country Woods. Create some laws with teeth in them to keep new house sizes to a proportion that... Continue reading

  I feel it is imperative to maintain the essential character of South Surrey and North Surrey also, by saving both the Douglas Fir and Western Cedar wherever possible. This can achieved in many ways. Firstly, maintaining the street trees, (168 north of 24th for example.) Set backs of new developments have been brought far to close to the road, (7 feet) making it almost impossible for the mature 100 foot trees to survive.

  Please don't forget the Rural Designation areas such as Country Woods. Create some laws with teeth in them to keep new house sizes to a proportion that does not lead to most of the mature, beautiful trees being removed. Remember that one's neighbour's trees greatly impact the beauty of the district overall. Houses being built these days are huge, in some cases, spoiling the beauty and environmental health of the whole district.

• the fight for the trees in peace arch park.

  by proud tree hugger., almost 5 years ago

  around 18 years ago, a group called friends of peace arch park got together each week to discuss and do whatever possible to save the beautiful old trees along the peace arch . They were intending to take them down to widen the border to the U.S. these trees meant a lot to many, not just to the people who loved and visited and walked this park daily. i am proud to have helped save these trees, and especially the one tree at the end of 0 ave and the edge of the park. Its magnificent beauty never fails to... Continue reading

  around 18 years ago, a group called friends of peace arch park got together each week to discuss and do whatever possible to save the beautiful old trees along the peace arch . They were intending to take them down to widen the border to the U.S. these trees meant a lot to many, not just to the people who loved and visited and walked this park daily. i am proud to have helped save these trees, and especially the one tree at the end of 0 ave and the edge of the park. Its magnificent beauty never fails to make me feel in awe.

• When there is a development planned please keep some areas for parks and old growth.

  by mmshu, almost 5 years ago
  We need to keep some old growth and plan for more parks.

  We need to keep some old growth and plan for more parks.

• All of them!

  by Smiling, almost 5 years ago
  I am a tree lover so I love all of them.

  I am a tree lover so I love all of them.

• Country Roads.

  by Reggie, almost 5 years ago

  Along 32nd, just west of KG Boulevard, there are several small acreage holdings. One, on the south side, features a white rail fence. Alongside the fence are several beautiful deciduous trees, I don't know the species, but .... their leaf colours change as the year goes on. Right now, the colour is a brighter fresher green than later on in the summer. In the fall? Deliriously colourful. They are my personal favourites.

  One species of which I'd like to see more? Arbutus. They are native, and unique to the West Coast. They have leaves that resemble rhododendrons in shine and... Continue reading

  Along 32nd, just west of KG Boulevard, there are several small acreage holdings. One, on the south side, features a white rail fence. Alongside the fence are several beautiful deciduous trees, I don't know the species, but .... their leaf colours change as the year goes on. Right now, the colour is a brighter fresher green than later on in the summer. In the fall? Deliriously colourful. They are my personal favourites.

  One species of which I'd like to see more? Arbutus. They are native, and unique to the West Coast. They have leaves that resemble rhododendrons in shine and shape. But it's the bark that makes them unique, as it is reddish, thin, and constantly pealing. Arbutus trees seem to prefer salt-tinged air, and apparently needs a particular fungus found in the soil where they grow - a fungus/bacteria/something that must go with them if and when they are transported.

  I live in White Rock.

  
  

• Sylvan Serenity

  by Sally, almost 5 years ago
  In the south Surrey urban forest there are many beautiful trees which provide me with a sense of serenity as I enter. Tall sentry guards at the opening of the trail bring to me a feeling of guardianship and strength immediately as I enter the forest world. Welcoming, this sense of calm washes over me as I pass through the trails. Stretching my neck up I experience full wonder as sunlight trickles and splashes over the branches causing the trees to glow in the backlight. For years I have passed through these trails, running, biking, and now walking. I have... Continue reading

  In the south Surrey urban forest there are many beautiful trees which provide me with a sense of serenity as I enter. Tall sentry guards at the opening of the trail bring to me a feeling of guardianship and strength immediately as I enter the forest world. Welcoming, this sense of calm washes over me as I pass through the trails. Stretching my neck up I experience full wonder as sunlight trickles and splashes over the branches causing the trees to glow in the backlight. For years I have passed through these trails, running, biking, and now walking. I have brought along my paints, canvases and lunch and have spent the day there. I have come home and recreated my visions in poetry and sketches. Inspired by the birdsong I have paused and witnessed this to be the home of squirrels, ravens, chickadees, hummingbirds, numerous other small birds, woodpeckers, owls and even an eagle I spotted once. Mosses, lichens, mushrooms, rain puddles, snow, frost and the changing leaves of deciduous trees have provided colour and texture to my adventures. I have attended volunteer plantings, bird walks and once, a private forest walk provided by none other than Roy Strang, an amazingly knowledgeable, articulate and inspirational man who also truly loved the forest. I am blessed to continue to engage in these experiences to this day, and am grateful to those who began and continue to protect this sacred and serene sylvan landscape, Sunnyside Urban Forest.

• Boulevard trees make me happy

  by Jules, almost 5 years ago
  Last year, some time after road work was completed, the city planted more than a dozen boulevard trees along our street. These were a welcome surprise because our strata had already planted quite a few. Now in between our high rise and the one across the street in City Centre, there is a triple row of trees. The city trees were a bit behind the strata trees this spring, making me think that they had all died. I was sad about that, and then I saw tiny buds, and 3 weeks later the trees are full and amazing. They really... Continue reading

  Last year, some time after road work was completed, the city planted more than a dozen boulevard trees along our street. These were a welcome surprise because our strata had already planted quite a few. Now in between our high rise and the one across the street in City Centre, there is a triple row of trees. The city trees were a bit behind the strata trees this spring, making me think that they had all died. I was sad about that, and then I saw tiny buds, and 3 weeks later the trees are full and amazing. They really have added so much value to the area. Thank you! - Julie M.