Stumps and partial trees — some of substantial size — are all that remain of 10 cottonwoods that used to keep watch over the Fraser River at Sapperton Landing Park.
Metro Vancouver has removed 10 cottonwood trees from the park, staff confirmed after a recent inquiry from the Record.
Steven Schaffrick, division manager for the central area with Metro Vancouver Regional Parks, said the trees, which ranged in age, were removed because they posed a hazard to park users and the nearby SkyTrain guideway.
Schaffrick said the trees were assessed by arborists and found to have signs of decay and beaver damage. Compounding the issue was the fact that the majority of the trees were along a part of the riverbank that had been weakened by erosion.
Two of the trees were cut to a height of three metres and left as wildlife trees for animals such as woodpeckers, owls and squirrels.
"Replanting on a one-for-one basis has already taken place, with two oaks, two paper birch, two hawthorns and four lodgepole pines replacing the cottonwoods," Schaffrick confirmed via email. "As invasive species such as blackberry are removed on site, Metro Vancouver will continue to plant native shrubs and trees."
Metro Vancouver received permits from the City of New Westminster to remove the trees, he noted.
"The ecological health of our parks and the safety of park users and neighbours are very important to Metro Vancouver, and we appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation as we do essential work in our parks," Schaffrick said.
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