300-year-old Elm tree to be cut down in Kitchener
A tree standing in Kitchener’s south end that officials say is more than 300 years old is being cut down over safety concerns.
On Wednesday, arborists met at the heritage tree beside St. Jude’s School and Scholars' Hall. The tree has significant importance for the adjacent school.
“We’ve had students who have been very sad, we’ve had parents who have been stopping and saying ‘it’s a sad day,’” said Fred Gore, director at St. Jude’s School and Scholars' Hall. “The tree has sheltered our students since we built. They played under it, they tobogganed under it. It’s a big friend to them. They’re going to miss it for sure.”
Gore said in 2000 the University of Guelph did a tree coring and determined it was 307 years old that year.
Workers take down a centuries-old Elm tree in Kitchener. (Tyler Kelaher/CTV News Kitchener)
The tree is part of the school’s crest and has been a part of Scholars’ Hall for 22 years ago.
Officials with the school said in June of last year, the 60-foot tall Elm tree was in full leaf, and only three weeks later, all of the leaves had fallen off.
Unfortunately, the tree had succumbed to Dutch elm disease, which prevents water and nutrients from circulating through it.
The school said the tree was once identified as the largest and healthiest Elm tree in the province.
The Elm tree is being taken down in Kitchener due to disease. (Tyler Kelaher/CTV News Kitchener)
Now that it’s dead, the school and city feared a tree so tall would be a safety hazard, and decided it had to be trimmed down.
The city will cut off the limbs of the tree and leave about two storeys of the trunk intact.
Pieces of the tree will also be recovered and recycled by the school. Some students have asked for a piece as a keepsake.
The school also plans to carve what’s left of the trunk as a historical monument.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.