Tree-placement
An illegally chopped down 120-year-old tree has been replaced with an eight-year-old white pine.
A new tree has been planted near the spot where a city landmark was illegally chopped down last year.
A man cut down the more than 120-year-old white pine on Lyon Boulevard last year. It was valued at $15,000, which the man was ordered to repay. There was an outcry from community members who claim to have been saved by the tree while rounding the corner on Lyon over the years.
“The tree is what we would consider a heritage tree. It was certainly a monument tree in the community,” city forester Shelley Vescio said Thursday afternoon.
A ceremony took place across the street from the tree’s stump Thursday as an eight-year-old white pine was planted in its memory. Vescio said the old tree’s value can never be replaced but appreciates the fact that a new tree, donated by Green Forest Management, will be a commemoration.
“They thought it would be a good start,” she said. “We think that the community values this to such an extent that we really hope everyone embraces the fact that we wanted to plant this tree again and I hope that it’s well taken care of by our community.”
The old location doesn’t have suitable soil for the new tree. And its new location will keep it out of the way from oncoming traffic Vescio said.
As for the old tree, an artist competition will be opening soon for idea on how to use its wood. Lakehead University is storing one piece of the tree while the city’s park storage holds another.
