Re: “Rallying to save a giant,” The Leader, June 11.
I was horrified to see that this giant cedar may be in the crosshairs of developers.
I do not suppose that very many people of Surrey have heard about this tree, let alone have actually seen it. My wife and I, like the people in the picture, had the opportunity to do what they were doing with the former tenants who lived at that location. There were four of us and we still couldn’t get more than half-way around the circumference with our hands outstretched.
Looking at this tree in a picture does not do it justice. You have to see it in person and if possible try as you may stretch your own outstretched arms around it.
I asked the former tenants how old the tree is. He said to the best of his knowledge it was 750 to 1,000 years old. That has to be the oldest tree in Surrey by a long shot and could possibly be one of the oldest in Canada. I cannot see how any developer would be allowed to cut down such a majestic tree.
I have contacted our mayor and councillors telling them not to allow a permit to destroy this tree by any developer.
I have heard back from several councilors and they have told me they have not seen any development plans submitted to council to date for this property.
Just to make sure that the mayor and councillors know how we feel, we need to let them know. We need to let them know that we care about our trees, especially a tree of such majesty, and we will not stand still and let this tree be cut down for any future development. It would be an absolute crying shame and a travesty to see such a majestic tree destroyed in the name of development.
P. Heigh