The City of Parksville warns the public that a high-profile tree is in “declining health” and will have to be removed.
The large 90-year-old American elm at Corner of McMillan and Hirst in front of the SOS (Society of Organized Services) was planted to commemorate the men from Parksville who died in the First World War.
It was planted with several elm trees when the cenotaph was situated at the end of Memorial Avenue in the centre of the road, in front of the McMillan Street School, now the McMillan Arts Centre.
In a news release, the city said is acting on a report it recently received from an independent International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) arborist and staff recommendations.
On inspection, “the elm was found to be in an advanced stage of declining health with dead wood in the upper canopy and extensive decay in the upper branches, caused by the practice of tree topping, quite common 35 to 40 years ago,” the city explained in the release.
The city decided it “represents a significant hazard which will only increase as it continues to decline,” and will be removed before the end of December for public safety.
It will be replaced with another American elm in recognition of its historical significance.
Trees are rated using the TRACE (Tree Risk Assessment in Urban Areas and the Urban/Rural Interface) method which is designed and administered by the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the ISA. Check www.treesaregood.com for more information.