Neighbourhood fights to save withering ginkgo tree

A century‑old ginkgo biloba in the heart of Willowbrook has become the focal point of a community dispute that pits long‑time residents against the city’s planning department. The tree, planted in 1925 by the town’s founder, stands on the corner of Maple and 5th Streets and has served as a gathering spot for generations. When the city announced plans to widen the adjacent road to accommodate increased traffic, officials cited safety and infrastructure needs as the primary reasons for the proposed removal of the ginkgo.

Neighborhood activists, led by local historian Maya Patel, have organized petitions, social media campaigns, and a town‑hall meeting to argue for the tree’s preservation. They point to the ginkgo’s ecological benefits, its historical significance, and the community’s emotional attachment. In response, the planning department has offered a compromise: relocating the tree to a nearby vacant lot and installing a protective barrier during construction. However, many residents argue that relocation would compromise the tree’s health and that the proposed barrier would not meet the tree’s specific root‑zone requirements. The city council is scheduled to vote on the matter next month, with legal counsel already reviewing the potential for a court‑ordered injunction.

If the council approves the widening plan, the ginkgo’s fate will hinge on the outcome of the legal challenge. Should the tree be removed, the town will likely initiate a memorial plaque and a new planting program to honor its legacy. Conversely, a ruling in favor of the residents could set a precedent for protecting other historic trees in the region, underscoring the growing tension between development and conservation in small communities.