Heritage advocates planning goodbye party to remember Port Coquitlam cedar tree

PORT COQUITLAM (NEWS 1130) — Heritage advocates in Port Coquitlam are planning to bid farewell on Monday to a big Himalayan cedar tree that is making way for a major residential and commercial development.

Nancy Furness with Poco Heritage Trees explains to CityNews, the tree is not common in the city.

“It’s one that can grow to be about 1,000 years old. So, it would long outlast any buildings that’s here,” she says.

Furness adds while the Poco Heritage Trees supports the revitalization project because it is “absolutely critical to the downtown core.”

She says, “there was no consideration whatsoever given to the trees on site.”

Furness says she believes the tree could have been a part of the development, but Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West says, unfortunately, it could not be saved.

“Because of the location of the tree and what’s planned for the area, it became a necessity that it be removed,” he says.

“However, there is going to be approximately 40 new trees planted throughout that site and along McAllister. And so, a significant net increase in the number of trees.”

Poco Heritage Trees is organizing Monday’s event from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., which will include speakers, local musicians, and for the kids, a visit from the Doctor Seuss character, the Lorax.

“We’re really gonna miss this tree. Unfortunately, it’s not going to be the focal point of this public plaza, but it’s beautiful while it still stands,” Furness says.