City of Kimberley Announces Removal of Red Maple Tree at Rotary Park
The City of Kimberley regrets to announce the removal of a beloved Red Maple tree (Acer rubrum) at Rotary Park. Due to the significant damage which occurred late last year and the potential for future issues, the tree has become a safety concern and is being removed.
In late fall, the tree experienced a major branch failure. Although the branch appeared healthy, it broke at a weak point caused by included bark. This defect makes the tree prone to further failure, even if it appears healthy. Approximately 15% of the live canopy was lost as a result of the break, which has impacted the trees balance, and potentially its photosynthetic capacity.
To determine the health of the tree, the City engaged the services of an ISA Certified Arborist and Qualified Tree Risk Assessor who conducted a thorough assessment of the remaining structure. The inspection revealed multiple concerns such as the identification of the included bark defect in other branch unions, poor trunk-to-branch ratio, and the presence of numerous pieces of deadwood throughout the canopy. The risk assessment concluded that given the size of the tree, the large diameter of its branches, and its location in a high-use recreation area adjacent to a playground, the consequences of failure would be severe under abnormal weather conditions, potentially resulting in significant injury.
To eliminate the risks associated with another potential failure, the removal of the tree has been scheduled for early next week. Once work begins, we ask that everyone please pay attention to posted signage and give workers room to complete the job safely.
We understand this news may be difficult for some, and we want to give everyone time to absorb the loss before the tree is removed. The City is committed to replacing the tree soon.
