Prominent Arbutus tree to undergo risk assessment

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed September 25, 2017 12:30 PM

A large, ageing Arbutus tree on the 300 block of Millstone Avenue will undergo a risk assessment to see if it can be safely retained. The tree, suffering from structural decay, will undergo procedures by Dr. Julian Dunster involving sonic tomography testing which will create two-dimensional cross-sectional images featuring the inside of the tree.

The tree's prominence in the community, along with its proximity to houses and a busy road, requires that it be thoroughly examined.

"The City of Nanaimo really values this tree. At one point the sidewalk was reconfigured to accommodate the growth of this beautiful specimen,” says Urban Forestry Coordinator, Patrick McIntosh, “All trees will eventually decline and die and this one is no exception. Due to the potential for damage to people or property, our decision on whether to retain or remove this tree will be based on the best information available to us."

The minimally invasive examination will occur within the next two weeks. For more information on Urban Forestry in Nanaimo visit the link provided in the online version of this news release to the Urban Forestry section on the City website.

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