The whodunit regarding the mystery of the missing cherry tree from the plaza of the Burrard SkyTrain station is over.
Last week I heard from Cherry Tree Blossom Festival organizers who were perplexed after a ceremonial Akebono cherry tree planted in 2006 was cut down with no explanation. All that remained in its place was a stump, 20 centimetres in diameter, topped with a small orange cone.
A photo provided by festival staff shows five dignitaries, including former park board commissioner Al De Genova with shovel in hand, at a planting ceremony in 2006. Later photographs show just how much the sapling had grown in the past seven years.
But then last week, the tree disappeared.
According to park board general manager Malcolm Bromley, the tree had been damaged irreparably and was cut down by staff unaware of its significance.
He adds the damage could have been caused by too much water, too much rain or simply the weight of the branches.
We had a couple of cherry trees go at the same time, ironically, says Bromley.
He adds because there was no marker near the tree, parks staff had no idea of its importance so no one notified the festival. Bromley met with festival executive director Linda Poole Monday afternoon and assured her a replacement tree will be planted and there will be a marker or plaque in place to identify it as symbolic.
Poole is delighted by the park boards response to the issue.
Theyre very committed to rectifying the situation, says Poole. Were going to work together to determine a proper place for the tree and creating a plaque to indicate the special status of that tree.
Tree life
And while were on the subject of trees, the park board is asking the public to once again do its part in keeping newly and recently planted street trees alive by watering them during these dog days of summer.
Park board crews water new trees through their first two years of life, but also welcome help from the public during that time period and after.
According to the park board, watering is important to a trees growth and health and they require even more water during hot spells like the one were experiencing now. Extreme hot weather is damaging to newly planted trees, which are establishing root systems. Trees planted within the last five years many with water me tags attached would benefit most by watering at this time.
Vancouver residents are asked to keep an eye out for young stressed streets trees adjacent to their property, typically indicated by leaves turning brown or falling. The best practice is to apply at least 12 to 20-litres of water (five to 10 minutes with a slow running hose or a couple of watering cans full) two to three times per week over the roots. Regional water restrictions do not apply to trees and shrubs. In the past five years, the park board has planted more than 15,000 trees bringing the total across the city to about 140,000, with an estimated value of more than $500 million.
sthomas@vancourier.com
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