A Devastating Loss: The Story of Brad and Elayne Rix
Brad and Elayne Rix once had two majestic trees in their front yard—a 65-foot mature Linden tree and a large Horse Chestnut tree. By the fall of 2023, however, these towering figures were reduced to mere stumps after Fortis BC pruned them heavily, citing safety concerns as branches were close to power lines. Brad Rix, a former Fortis lineman himself, understood the importance of tree safety around power lines but was nonetheless devastated by the drastic pruning. "It was horrible to look at," he said. "The trees don’t even look like trees anymore." The pruning was so extreme that Rix felt compelled to remove the trees entirely, leaving behind only a shoot and a stump as a reminder of what once was.
The Emotional and Financial Toll
The Rixes were left grappling with both emotional distress and financial losses. Brad Rix described the experience as "devastating," emphasizing how the trees had become a cherished part of their property. The couple has since sought professional estimates to determine the value of the trees before they were cut. They are now pursuing legal action, filing a claim in small claims court against Fortis and a local tree company, seeking $35,000 in compensation. This amount covers not only the cost of the trees and their removal but also pending expenses related to irrigation and landscaping, as the loss of the tree canopy has altered the yard’s ecosystem.
A Call for Change
The Rixes hope their legal action will prompt Fortis to adopt better communication practices and more thoughtful tree-trimming methods. "They didn’t have to do that," Brad Rix said, reflecting on the aggressive pruning that left their trees unrecognizable. They are not alone in their frustration. Other Kelowna residents, such as Giulio Di Palma and Gordy Charles, have shared similar experiences. Di Palma returned home to find his Spruce tree half gone, describing the incident as "shocking" and leaving him feeling "disappointed, upset, [and] violated." Charles, who had several of his trees heavily trimmed while he was on vacation, said the sight made him feel "sick," adding, "The trees have been brutalized."
Fortis BC’s Response and Internal Review
In the wake of these criticisms, Fortis BC announced that it would conduct an internal review of its tree-trimming practices. When contacted by Global News, the company stated via email, "We are working more closely with municipalities and, where possible, stepping up notifications at a community level to let the public know when this work is underway in their area." While this response acknowledges the need for improvement, it comes too late for the Rixes, who have already suffered the loss of their beloved trees.
A Statement of Defence and Unresolved Allegations
Fortis has denied any wrongdoing in the matter, stating in its defence that the trimming work was neither excessive nor negligent. None of the allegations made by the Rixes or other affected homeowners have been proven in court. Despite this, the Rixes remain hopeful that their legal action will spark positive change. "Let’s get a positive solution from what we are going through here, so that other people don’t have to go through this," Brad Rix said, emphasizing their desire to advocate for improved practices that balance safety with homeowner concerns.
A Community’s Hope for Better Practices
For Brad and Elayne Rix, the battle is as much about seeking compensation as it is about raising awareness and pushing for accountability. By sharing their story, they hope to ensure that other homeowners are treated with more respect and consideration in the future. Their case highlights the importance of communication and transparency between utility companies and residents, as well as the need for more thoughtful approaches to tree maintenance. While the outcome of their legal action remains uncertain, the Rixes—and others like them—remain determined to see meaningful change.
