A mature cedar known for its gracefully drooping branches — and for a court case involving Port Coquitlam Coun. Laura Dupont — will be given a special send-off Monday, Aug. 10.
PoCo Heritage Trees is hosting a Farewell to a Tree event with live music, a visit from the Lorax for the kids, and information about saving Port Coquitlam’s trees.
The event, from 7 to 8 p.m. on the east side of 2263 McAllister Ave., comes a month before Dupont’s petition is scheduled to be discussed in Supreme Court.
The tree is being removed to make way for a major revitalization of McAllister including a plaza, a walking path and a five storey building with 63 apartments and commercial space on a city parking lot and an empty commercial lot at 2241 and 2251 McAllister Avenue.
In a press release, the group states that while it supports the project, “we are saddened once again by the complete lack of consideration for healthy, mature trees on site.”
Nancy Furness, a member of the group of local citizens, said the event is to raise awareness about the need to protect trees, especially if they are being removed for development.
While the trees will be replaced, according to the city, their removal is required to make way for the development and obtain revenue for city parking and street improvements.
However, Furness said replacement trees are typically small and won’t replace a mature tree.
“We’re losing that iconic tree that’s grown there for many years,” Furness said, noting the the tree is healthy and could last a long time.
“People are saying this is awful,” Furness said, and expressed the disappointment about the lack of public notice when trees are taken down. “We don’t know anything until the chainsaws are fired up.”
Children are welcome to attend the Farewell to a Tree event and can watch The Lorax by Dr. Seuss here. COVID-19 distancing will be observed and hand sanitizer will be on site.
Let people know you are coming by emailing pocoheritagetrees@gmail.com and get more information from the group on Facebook.
