Park Board Prepares to Take Down Hollow Tree

June 26, 2008 (No. 35) - The Vancouver Park Board is preparing to take down Stanley Park's Hollow Tree. The Board made this difficult decision due to safety concerns about the deteriorating state of the tree trunk. The western red cedar, dead for many years and long supported by braces and cables, was further damaged in the winter storms of 2006/07 and is deteriorating at an increasing rate, becoming a greater risk to park visitors.

Starting this week, a contractor is strengthening the tree with internal bracing. Every effort is being made to keep the tree intact so that it will withstand the impact of taking it down. It is expected that the bracing process will take approximately ten days, depending on how the work proceeds.

The tree will be then be cut at approximately one and half metres above its base by forestry staff, picked up by large cranes, and lowered onto its side in a bed of sand and gravel 20 metres from its present location. The Park Board chose this option for the Hollow Tree over other more engineered solutions. The Board's view is that this approach is respectful to the tree's history and consistent with the natural park setting. It also offers a continued opportunity for residents and park visitors to view and learn about the tree in Stanley Park.

When the date and time are finalized for taking down the tree, the Park Board will announce further details. Road access to the area closest to the Hollow Tree will be restricted during this stage of the work which is expected to take approximately a day.

The Park Board welcomes ideas from the public or interested groups on how to best tell the tree's important story in an on site display. Suggestions on ways to remember the Hollow Tree can be submitted to Director of Special Projects Jim Lowden.

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For more information, contact: Joyce Courtney, Manager of Communications, at 604-257-8699.
www.vancouverparks.ca

 

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation maintains 220 parks and 40 major facilities throughout the City of Vancouver. The Park Board's mission is to provide, preserve and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit people, communities and the environment.

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