Longstanding arbutus tree to come down in Nanaimo
A decaying arbutus tree that has watched over generations of Nanaimo residents is being taken down because it is a public safety risk.
The Millstone Avenue tree is about 18 metres tall and 80 to 100 years old, said Patrick McIntosh, urban forestry co-ordinator for the City of Nanaimo. “It is quite impressive.” When a sidewalk was installed, it was constructed around the tree, he said. That work was done many years ago and the tree would not be enclosed that way today.
McIntosh said the tree was likely hit by a car, causing more damage. “It has kind of been steadily declining for a while.”
The tree is not on the city’s heritage tree list but is recognized as significant, he said. “Obviously, it is a fixture in the community. People take ownership. It is a member of their community and they [residents] have grown up with it.”
Gye and Associates of Victoria assessed the tree, finding extensive and spreading structural decay throughout the trunk and lower stem, as well as a rapidly declining canopy.
The company carried out resistograph testing to evaluate the state of the tree, using a very thin drill in the trunk to measure differences in resistance, which reflects how sound the wood is. The test is so sensitive that it can measure grow rings, McIntosh said.
A healthy arbutus may live 200 to 300 years, he said, but “a city is a tough place for trees.”
Recent hot weather with drought conditions, being surrounded by pavement, and being hit by a vehicle all made the tree’s immune system more vulnerable, he said.
The tree will likely be removed this month and new trees will be planted in the area.
Wood will be salvaged by the Mid-Island Woodworkers Guild. The non-profit organization provides wood to its members and makes donations to local high schools.