A row of red oaks on 91原创's 48 Avenue should be cared for by the Township, a representative of the strata development that owns the property told Township council at their April 28 meeting.
Herb Jamieson, a resident at Reunion Townhomes, said the 10 large trees known as the Belmont Oaks have historical significance to the community.
The trees are planted on the south side of the street in front of what was formerly Murrayville Elementary School, near the crest of the hill just east of the Five Corners intersection. The school was originally built in 1911 as Belmont Superior, with two classrooms and three teachers. More classrooms were added as early as 1913, and by the 1920s, the school was converted into an elementary.
The oaks were planted the year of the original construction, and have become a significant landmark along the street, Jamieson said.
However, they're showing their age.
"So, 115 years old, they're starting to have some issues," Jamieson said.
The aging trees are susceptible to disease and decay, and there have been incidents of some larger branches falling off, although none of them damaged any buildings on the property.
Although the trees were planted for a school site, the school itself closed in 2008 due to declining enrolment and school consolidation.
In 2019, the original building was re-sited on the property by Nickel Brothers House Moving, and was re-modelled by Lanstone to contain a number of condo units. The exterior was restored to more closely resemble its original schoolhouse on its exterior.
Part of the original development plan, passed by the Township council in 2018, included protecting both the original schoolhouse and the Belmont Oaks.
But Jamieson said the strata council now wants the Township to take over the oaks.
"It's really beyond the scope and capacity of Reunion Townhomes," he said.
Councillor Kim Richter asked for a staff report on the situation with the Belmont Oaks, and the council unanimously voted in favour. A report will return to the council at a future meeting.
