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The City of Saskatoon’s efforts to protect the city’s urban forest should include large private trees on private property, a city council committee heard.

James Wood, president of the SOS (Save our Saskatchewan) Elms Coalition Inc., said Monday other cities have moved to restrict removal of large trees on private property.

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City administration is currently considering the bylaws protecting trees from being damaged or removed. Wood offered six proposals to protect and maintain Saskatoon’s trees.

“Trees are very important to Saskatoon people historically,” Wood told council’s environment, utilities and corporate services committee Monday. “Trees are a community resource and whether we like it or not what we do with our trees affects our neighbours.”

Two incidents of tree removal in 2017 showed how much Saskatoon residents care about the city’s trees.

A project to widen the Meewasin Trail next to Spadina Crescent in City Park last spring removed far more trees than many residents expected. Many expressed concern.