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The loss of dozens of mature trees along the Meewasin trail last month will be reviewed to see if the Meewasin Valley Authority, when it embarks on future trail renovations, can strike a better balance between improving the trail network and protecting the environment.

“When the trees were cut down and removed I would say that it was dramatic and it was probably more dramatic than anybody anticipated,” Mayor Charlie Clark said during an environment committee meeting Monday. “Our urban forest is one of our most treasured assets and we don’t want to take it lightly.”

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Trees along the Meewasin trail between the old Mendel building and the weir were cut down in early April so the trail can be widened to four metres.

Two people appeared before council’s environment committee to express their dismay about the process.

“This is an enormous clearcut,” Saskatoon resident Jake Buhler told the committee. “We lost an integrated wood land, we lost bird habitat, feeding area, heritage trees considered special by First Nations.”