People living in Waterloo’s Old Westmount neighbourhood are upset over what they say is a plan to replace some of the area’s old trees with hydro poles.

Posters could be seen on several old trees in the Avondale Avenue and Allen Street area on Wednesday.

Residents like Jill Dunbrook, who put up the posters, say it’s about more than just shade and a nice view.

She claims removing the trees will not only ruin the streetscape, but also drive down property values in the area.

“We’re not happy with the placement of the poles…they’re going to deter from the neighbourhood. We pay exceptionally high taxes here to have the privilege to have these things in our neighbourhood and the fact is that we were not consulted.”

Dunbrook says residents haven’t been given enough details about the plan and would rather see the poles put on Caroline Street or have hydro cables underground.

Real estate agent Richard Putnam, who owns a home in the area and has sold many others, says it’s hard to say how much equity one would lose due to trees.

But he says it could certainly affect the overall look and value in the area.

“If they had to take that down to put a sidewalk in or put a hydro pole in or something, then it changes the whole configuration of the front of my house.”

Ward 7 Councillor Melissa Durrell says she’s been hearing a lot of frustration from residents, and she hopes the hydro company will provide a list of options and their costs.

“Big wires on big poles is not something we’re used to seeing in this neighbourhood and so we need to look at some options and make sure that whatever happens here is best for Uptown West.”

While burying the cables could be too expensive, Waterloo North Hydro says residents have missed the main issue.

Rene Gatien, Waterloo North Hydro president and CEO, says right now the only thing happening in the area is the rebuilding of electrical circuits and the replacement of existing hydro poles.

“We’re not cutting down any trees. What we’re really doing is we’re planning work for next year.”

But Dunbrook insists the hydro company has been reluctant to provide full information about the project.

“We should have the right to say what’s going to affect our neighbourhood, particularly when it’s going to affect our pocketbook with our home equity.”

Waterloo North Hydro says it is coming up with several options and expects to be ready to present them in about two months.