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Large ‘problematic’ tree removed from Qualicum Beach golf course

Lombardy Poplar tree taken down by town, member upset
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Crews work on removing a large Lombardy Poplar tree from the Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Course that has become problematic for neighbouring residents. - Karly Blats photo

A member of the Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Course is upset with the removal of a large Lombardy Poplar tree near the course’s seventh fairway.

The large tree is being removed by arborists hired by the Town of Qualicum Beach because it has proven to be problematic for neighbouring residents, according to town CAO Daniel Sailland.

“We looked at a number of different options with our two available professionals and the best alternative was to have the tree removed and a different variety of tree will be planted,” Sailland said.

The golf course on Memorial Avenue is owned by the town. The removal of the tree began Tuesday at approximately 9 a.m. and could take several days to be fully removed.

Qualicum Beach resident and member of the Memorial Golf Course, Peter Drummond, said the nearly 80-foot tree is iconic and shouldn’t be cut down.

“The problem is with neighbours who have roots in their yard… I’ve spoken to a few of them,” Drummond said. “They claim there is a liability issue with the root incursion into their foundations.”

Drummond believes there are alternative methods to solve the problem.

“There should be a due process and there was not a due process. The town made the decision on their own,” he said.

President of the course board of directors, Norm Watts, said the board is disappointed that the tree had to come down but that “sometimes it happens.”

“We’re always sorry when a tree has to come down because trees are such a beautiful art of our golf course,” Watts said. “It is a town golf course and the town was the principal decision in this particular case.”

karly.blats@pqbnews.com

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