WATCH: Vancouver looks at closing loophole that has resulted in loss of 24,000 trees

Vancouver city council may close a loophole that has cost the city nearly 24,000 healthy trees over the past 18 years.

The bylaw, which dates back to 1996, allows homeowners to cut down one healthy tree on their property per year regardless of the reason.

However, a new report from city staff says nearly half of those trees were perfectly “healthy.”

Under the proposed new rules, which will be voted on next week, property owners will only be allowed to cut down a tree if it’s diseased, dying or hazardous.