As the City of Vernon prepares to remove cedars and junipers to improve a residential area’s wildfire resilience, one resident worries about the loss of privacy and a decrease in the value of her property.

In July, the city announced that crews would soon be working on Lakeridge Drive, Amber Drive, Cameo Drive and Garnet Drive, removing cedar and juniper trees along those roads in the Okanagan Landing area and replacing them with more fire-resistant landscape plants.

Trees and bushes will only be removed if they are located on municipal property and not on private property.

Diane Hamilton, a resident of Amber Drive, is concerned about the potential loss of the 38 large cedar trees that line her property.

Hamilton said when she bought her home 13 years ago, she assumed the trees were hers. It wasn’t until she put up a fence around her yard that she realized the trees were on city property.

She said she feared her privacy would be lost if the cedars were cut down because she lives on a busy road, with a four-way intersection and a bus stop right next to her house.

“We bought this house for privacy,” she told the Morning Star. “Without these trees, it would be a real goldfish bowl.”

Hamilton said she had considered selling her home and recently had a real estate agent appraise her property. The agent told her the loss of the cedars could reduce the value of her home “by $30,000 to $50,000.”

Hamilton added that “hundreds” of birds, including owls, use the trees for nesting in the spring and that the trees also provide habitat for other species such as tree frogs and bats.

Hamilton said she was informed by the city that tree removal in the area would begin on Monday, August 12.

Although she doesn’t want the trees cut down, like most people in the community, she is concerned about the risk of wildfires. But she said she would rather trim the cedars than remove them.

City spokesman Josh Winquist said the removal of the “fire-prone” trees and plants was a proactive measure consistent with the city’s approach to reducing wildfire risk.

“We know that landscaping changes on City of Vernon properties can alter the aesthetics of a neighborhood,” Windquist said. “That’s why public information sessions and ongoing information will be offered to residents affected by the work.”

Vernon Fire Chief David Lind said most of the feedback from residents has been in favor of removing the trees and shrubs.

“As a community, we are moving forward and many residents are taking FireSmart measures on their properties,” Lind said. “I am confident that if we all work to make our community FireSmart ready, we can gain momentum. We appreciate the community’s understanding and cooperation as we work to better prepare and protect the city and its residents from the impacts of fire.”