Fight to save trees fails but new battle Begins

Workers finish off one of three large maple trees on Mississauga Rd in Port Credit that Laurie Kallis was trying to save. The trees were believed to be between 200-300 years old.The lot is being cleared for development.

Trees Toppled

On Wednesday, a tree-cutting firm moved in and started cutting down the stand of maples trees on the lot.  What angered Kallis was when two huge and old maples trees adjacent to the home, one 154-inches in circumference, where about to be toppled.  "I guess they felt that if they cut the trees down before making a building application, it would be easier to get approval," she said. That's when they started to call anyone who would listen.  But despite pleas to the landlord and the City, the two trees came down yesterday evening.  Attempts by The News to reach the developer were unsuccessful.

Historic Value

Russ Pooley of Mississauga's Recreation and Parks department said the trees were between 200-300 years old.  And while the 154-inch diameter tree was not the biggest in the city, it was close.  The largest sugar maple in Mississauga is 164-inches and located on the Chappell Estate.  The largest on record in Canada is 164-inches.

Kallis tried to see if the trees could be saved for their historic value, but Ward 8 City Councillor Katie Mahoney, who has championed the cause of saving tress along scenic Mississauga Rd., confirmed that, "While we hope that developers won't cut down trees, the bottom line is there isn't much we can do about it on private property."

Heritage House

In the meantime, Kallis contacted the City's heritage office to see if the house can be designated as a historic site and be saved from the wreckers ball.  The Gordon House, as it is known, was built in 1912 and for many years its owner George Gordon was the Port Credit Justice of the Peace.  The front room was the JP's office and one can still see the marks in the carpet from his desk.  He had seven children, the last two of whom, Lillian and Rhena, lived in the home alone for many years until their deaths. "Mark Warrack (of the heritage office) went through the home and he feels there is a case to declare the home on two grounds," Kallis said.  "He is going to put it on the agenda for a meeting on August 10."

The right thing

In the meantime, the Kallis' have decided it's time to start looking for another home.  "Well, our lease is up at the end of August and we sort of understood it would be month-to-month after that as it will take a long time to get approval for the townhomes. "After all this, however, I doubt our lease will be renewed, but I think we're doing the right thing."