By Pepper Parr
June 6, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
UPDATE: Councillor Meed Ward has provided an update on the willow tree celebration taking place this evening. she will be the master of ceremonies and say a few words about the trees and some of the tributes from the public that have come in; the city arborist will explain why they need to be removed; a member of the horticultural society will provide some history about the trees and the legacy of Spencer Smith, a member of the society who planted the willows. There will be a drumming/smudging ceremony. If it is raining, this will take place inside the lobby/atrium of city hall.
This evening, Monday June 6, Councillor Marianne Meed Ward expects some people to gather near the base of the willow trees in Spencer Smith Park to celebrate the end of their lives.
The city arborist has come to the conclusion that the trees are not safe and they are going to be taken down to just their trunks where someone will be given the opportunity to carve something out of what is left.
The trees will be gone a month from now – the gazebo will undergo a significant change. So many memories begun in that gazebo.
No one knows how many people are going to show up. No one knows if some brave environmentalist will arrive and chain themselves to the tree to prevent their destruction.
The trees are magnificent and it will be a pity to see them go – many people have fond memories of the trees and the gazebo that is nested in between them.
The Gazette learned a number of weeks ago that the trees were going to have something done to them and that the gazebo was going to undergo a change so that it could be made accessible.
Kune Hua, a local videographer, took his camera to the park on the weekend and caressed the trees with the lens of his camera and created for all of us a tribute to the trees and, without realizing it, a tribute to the man who, 70 years ago, planted the willows that are in the park.
The video is very short – click here – enjoy it and share it with friends.
Within a year those magnificent waving limbs will be nothing but a memory – one that can be refreshed by reading the pages of the Gazette. We will, hopefully, be around for another 70 years.
Enjoys the trees – they will be gone forever by the end of the month.
Related editorial content:
First public mention that the willow trees were in peril – in the Gazette
Hold on, before everyone starts going all environMENTAL over these trees, let’s not forget they’re dying, and are creating a safety hazard to actual human people. Sure it’s unfortunate they’re dying and have to be removed, but let’s be realistic here. The safety of Burlington residents that visit the park MUST come first. They’re not being removed for development or any other malicious reasons, they’re being removed for our safety. Go ahead and be sad all you want, but don’t get angry because they’re making an unsafe condition safe again. A little perspective here may be in order.
It’s disgusting!!
Does nobody care about the many many creatures who call these trees home!!
Very very upsetting to me that these trees are being removed!