PoCo Loses another Heritage Tree

On August 10th 2020, members of the Port Coquitlam community came together to express their gratitude through words, music and theatrics for our trees and grief over the impending loss of a beautiful, healthy Himalayan (Deodar) Cedar located on the east side of 2263 McAllister Avenue in Port Coquitlam. The City of Port Coquitlam is allowing the removal of this tree along with mature ash, maple and cedar trees on the site to make way for a downtown revitalization project.

The event was organized by Nancy Furness, president of the Wondrous Tree Fellowship (formerly PoCo Heritage Trees). She says that they acknowledges the need for such a project but that they are deeply disappointed by the lack of public consultation and consideration given to retention of the healthy, mature trees (in particular the Himalayan Cedar) on-site. In a time of climate change and population densification the need to preserve our large urban trees is greater than ever before.

In 2019/20 the expansion of Port Coquitlam recreational center saw the removal of 122 of the 148 trees that were on the site. While many of these trees can easily be replaced there is great concern for the older trees on both sites that can not be replaced by mealy planting new saplings. These older trees not only provided an opportunity for residents and visitors to the downtown core to be closer to nature, they were also part of the avian highway system which brings all sorts of wildlife in from the surrounding rural areas.

Trees are important for air quality ;

For every 10% increase in urban tree canopy, ozone is reduced by 3-7%.

Trees are also proven to remove carbon from the air, getting absorbed and stored as cellulose in their trunks, branches, and leaves in a process known as sequestration. A single mature tree can absorb over 20 KG of carbon dioxide every year and release enough oxygen back into the atmosphere to support 2 humans.

Trees have also been proven to have a positive impact on skin cancer, asthma, hypertension, and other stress related illness by filtering out air pollutants such as , sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, cadmium, nickel, and lead.

Trees also reduce smog formation, provide shade from solar radiation, and provide an attractive, calming setting for recreation.

Speakers at this event include ;' Nancy Furness,

President of the Wondrous Tree Fellowship - Welcome

Priscilla Omulo - First Nations land opening.

Christina Gower - Trees and mental health.

John Saremba - Urban trees as wildlife habitat.

Sandy LeMonnier - Personal thoughts on trees.

Laura Dupont - Trees and community.

Musical performances by Bill Marshall and Kate Smith