- The Editor,
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Re: Letter: 'Too many of these decisions are being made behind closed doors,' Port Coquitlam writer says of tree loss (March 17, 2022)
- I saw the letter written showing the removal of the beautiful large trees in downtown Port Coquitlam and I was devastated.
- Twenty-one trees!
- Yes, I had read about the “downtown revitalization," stating the changes would increase the usefulness of the space.
- I assumed a few trees (four or five?) would be removed, with many trees an integral part of the new design… not removing 21 mature trees, several that have defined Port Coquitlam’s downtown for over 100 years!
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This is not just about losing "small town charm"; this seems to be about changing the identity of Port Coquitlam. It's a complete disregard and lack of respect for the city's culture and history.
Those trees are the reason many people moved here.
The downtown core trees and gardens are some of the most beautiful in the entire Lower Mainland. Port Coquitlam’s skilled landscape designers incorporate both ornamental and native plants/trees in amazing themed gardens that are sustainable, educational and beautiful.
Our trees and gardens are — were — an example for other cities to strive for, celebrating the city's history using the new wave of landscaping techniques taught in all horticulture programs. The downtown core is — was — one such space.
The city itself is only 108 years old (incorporated 1913), and many of these trees would have been planted around that time.
That young tree planted in front of the 1913 city hall in the photo was likely one of the ones cut down, making it over 100 years old.
And what about the leaf canopy above the photographer?
Not to mention the plan to plant new trees under wood and impermeable concrete: The gardens were so beautiful because they were a diversely planted garden ecosystem, both above and below the ground.
Trees thrive when the roots thrive in a healthy soil. We now know the average root system of a tree extends up to two-times wider than the width of its canopy. Trees isolated under concrete don’t thrive, they simply survive. They will be stressed from the extreme hot/cold concrete cover, without any way for nutrients to reach the outer roots, and will likely not grow well.
The last few years, we have experienced record breaking temperatures and summer fires as climate change hits home, followed by a pandemic, with many of our elders finally coming out of isolation, and now with the war on Ukraine by Russia.
I’m truly shocked our mayor and council would push through this type of destruction when now is when this city’s people need stability, beauty and hope.
What are our mayor and city council thinking?
I can’t think of any other city with such a green, vibrant and unique downtown area surrounding city hall itself.
My heart breaks to see (once preserved) living historical monuments of this city I grew up in destroyed in only a few days.
It's a huge irreversible mistake.
- Sherie Bohorquez, Coquitlam
Tri-City resident for more than 35 years
