A Retroactive Thank You

This post is about trees, and about people who have made a difference for them.

There is a striking Copper Beech tree on the grounds of the Legislature. The picture below gives some idea of its size. The Copper Beech can apparently grow to 40 metres tall, and has a lifespan of 150 to 300 years.

Copper Beech, BC Legislature

I have learned a little of this particular tree's history, but there is a mystery associated with it. The tree was planted in 1921, to commemorate the provincial government librarian E.O.S. Scholefield. (https://www.leg.bc.ca/dyl/Pages/Copper-Beech-Tree.aspx)

Planting of the Copper Beech tree, April 1921. Source: Friends of BC Archives, Item G-06259, Tweet of April 8, 2018. The spade is being held by the Premier at the time, John Oliver.

To give an idea of the current size of the tree, Ken suggested I pose with it. 

The copper beech today, 100 years later.

And now, the mystery: This tree, for some reason, was almost bulldozed and uprooted in 1970, when it would have been about fifty years old. 

I have not yet been able to learn the reason this action was proposed. But what I have learned is that thanks to two journalists, James Nesbitt and Bruce McKelvie, the tree still stands. When they saw the bulldozer about to destroy the tree, one of them (Bruce McKelvie) stood guard to stop the machine, and the other, (James Nesbitt), hunted down the Minister of Public Works, brought him to the site, and had the work stopped. (Source: https://www.leg.bc.ca/dyl/Pages/Copper-Beech-Tree.aspx)

Standing with the trees against machinery set to destroy them ... does this sound familiar? 

Every one who walks under this tree and enjoys its magnificent shade might appreciate the actions of those two journalists. 

Nesbitt was also a well-known historian, and it was his energy that led to the "Parade of Ships" plaques on Victoria's Inner Harbour. There is a plaque recognizing his efforts, also in the Inner Harbour.

Plaque honouring Nesbitt at the Inner Harbour's "Parade of Ships".  It doesn't mention his other role as a saviour of trees!

James E. Nesbitt. Source John M. MacFarlane http://nauticapedia.ca/Gallery/Monument_Nesbitt.php

Now, moving from the 1970's to current times, here is a different type of effort to protect trees.

In July, I visited Coles Bay Regional Park in Saanich.

The popular beach at Coles Bay Regional Park in Saanich

While the beach is idyllic, I was especially entranced by the adjacent forest, and its ferns, cedars and firs.

The forest at Coles Bay

I noticed a number of large firs which had evidence of someone controlling the invasive English Ivy to prevent it from girdling, and killing, trees.

A large fir with ivy snipped around its base

Close up of the dead ivy vine

At the time I happened to be reading a book by the poet Lorna Crozier, telling some of the story of her life with, and farewell to, her husband Patrick Lane, also a poet. 

The couple lived across the road from Coles Bay Regional Park, and Crozier describes their efforts - especially Patrick's - to regularly go into the park and control ivy that was threatening trees. It was hard work, made even more difficult by the gulleyed terrain and the prevalence of hidden pitfalls that could twist ankles. I am surmising that the photos I took of dead ivy vines reflect their handiwork.

Book by Lorna Crozier which includes a mention of her and Patrick Lane's efforts to control ivy in Coles Bay Park

 

Two stories of fighting for the trees. There are hundreds more. I am grateful to each person who puts their energy into defending these living beings.