Residents in Kelowna are expressing dismay over the impending removal of a row of well-established silver maple trees that have provided shade to a residential area for many years. The trees, located on the 1400-block of Bertram Street, are being cut down to make way for the construction of the Bertram Active Transportation Corridor, a new cycling path aimed at creating a north-south route through downtown Kelowna.
Among the affected residents is Kelly Rosvold, a long-time resident of the neighborhood, who views the trees as an integral part of the area’s charm and livability. Rosvold emphasized the importance of the trees in providing shade and comfort, especially during the hot summer months in Kelowna. He even took it upon himself to water the trees during drought conditions at the city’s encouragement.
Despite previous efforts to preserve the trees during a housing development project in 2023, the City of Kelowna now considers the silver maples as no longer viable due to their deteriorating health. The city plans to replace each removed tree with two new ones, although it acknowledges that it will take time for the new trees to reach the same level of maturity and provide similar shade.
While the city aims to enhance urban tree growth with newer planning standards, residents like Rosvold remain saddened by the loss of these mature trees. He believes that the beauty and shade provided by the old trees cannot simply be replaced by young saplings. The new bicycle route being constructed along Bertram Street, connecting Sutherland Avenue to Cawston Avenue, is set to be completed by this fall.