City receives dozens of complaints after snowplows damage young trees

The city has received more than three dozen complaints of trees being damaged by snowplows as street-cleaning efforts have ramped up in recent weeks.

Snowplow operators hired by the city can be fined for damaging trees, a city spokesperson said Monday.

“Our streets maintenance division will reimburse the urban forestry branch for the loss of trees,” city acting manager of corporate communications Julie Dooley said. “If hired equipment caused the damage, they will be held responsible for the costs.”

The number of complaints didn’t surprise public works chair Coun. Janice Lukes, who said at least one contracted snow-clearing company is penalized for tree damage every winter. A contractor took out two trees entirely while plowing last year.

“(The number of complaints) feels average, when you think about the number of trees that are on the boulevards, when you think of the number of pieces of equipment out there, when you think of the snowstorm,” said Lukes (Waverley West).

She said the training videos the city provides to contracted snowplow operators include content on avoiding trees.

“You’re always getting new drivers, and it’s just part of being a winter city and (providing) constant training and educating to the drivers,” she said.

“So I wouldn’t want to slam the operators for this, because it is inevitable. It is inevitable that there will be some tree damage, as sad as it is.”

Elmwood-East Kildonan resident Catherine Anobis watched a snowplow damage several newly planted trees near her Larsen Avenue home last week.

She said the city’s explanation doesn’t match what she saw.

“The (operator) didn’t give a crap,” she said. “He never adjusted nothing. Just hit every tree, for about eight or 10 trees. He just let that side wing hit every tree on the way down.”

Her partner, Aurele Jack, told the Free Press Sunday that the incident was reported to 311.

Dooley said Monday that the city was aware of the damage on Larsen Avenue and that city crews and contractors were both snow clearing in the area.

She said no penalties had been assessed yet.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca