Incoming turbulent weather elevates tree-toppling concerns in Nanaimo
NANAIMO — As storm season approaches, applications and inquiries from concerned citizens about potentially hazardous trees on their property are mounting at Nanaimo City Hall.
The City’s urban forestry coordinator Patrick McIntosh estimated the City has approved upwards of 30 applications to have damaged or diseased trees toppled since the devastating December 2018 windstorm.
He said the number of damaged trees the City has approved for removal is “way up” from previous years but many formal applications and casual requests from concerned residents aren’t backed by professional advice.
“There’s a real difference between perceived and actual risk,” McIntosh said. “You always need to have a good professional eye look at trees and determine what that level of risk might actually be.”