Destruction of protected tree angers residents

Some residents of Killarney in southwest Calgary want answers after a developer cut down a 50-year-old tree that was supposed to have been protected.

The citys subdivision development appeal board recently ruled the spruce must be preserved after almost a year of discussions on the matter.

"I don't know who they're accountable to, because they don't feel they need to respect the neighbours they don't respect the rules of the city," said Killarney resident Cathy Stones.

Stephanie Evans said she couldn't believe her eyes when she watched from her kitchen window as crews dismantled the 16-metre tall spruce next door.

"We're starting to look like the new development in the burbs," she said.

"Is it the developers that run the process and decide which trees come and go or is it the city that protects us?"

Ald. John Mar said developers aren't playing by the rules.

"This is something that is on the upswing in terms of trend and is one that I don't appreciate and want to reverse," he said.

City officials are now investigating what went wrong and why the tree was cut down despite the ruling.

A spokesperson for IQ Homes Inc, the company building on the lot, said the tree will be replaced.