‘Failed to thrive’: trio of replacement trees replaced

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This article was published 13/08/2022 (1328 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

New trees recently planted to replace some of those chopped down during the disastrous move of a display house in Charleswood last year were removed after failing to take root.

In late July, the city put up three replacements, all poplar trees, in the median of Roblin Boulevard between Charleswood Road and Carlotta Crescent.

However, all three were removed, after being in the ground for only about two weeks, because they “failed to thrive,” according to a spokeswoman for the city.

“This is a normal part of tree planting and, while not desirable, is not particularly unexpected at any given location where trees are planted,” the spokeswoman said.

Three new trees were replanted Friday by a contractor as per the city’s warranty.

Charleswood residents were left scratching their heads after the replacement trees disappeared earlier this week, said a resident, who contacted the Free Press.

At the time, the stumps were still in the median.

“It looks like somebody went and cut them,” said the man, who didn’t want to be named. “Only the bottom of the trunks are visible.”

When a tree is taken down, the city’s spokeswoman said, it is “common practice” to first remove it as close to grade as possible.

She said the stump is removed when a crew digs a new planting hole.

A total of 23 mature Siberian elm trees were destroyed, sparking an outcry from residents, when a large home was moved along Roblin in the early morning hours of Aug. 7, 2021.

The house was too wide to avoid hitting the trees in the median while the structure was moved from a spot near Roblin and Scotswood Drive.

At the time, Winnipeg police said officers arrived to provide a scheduled escort around 7 a.m., and discovered 17 trees had been cut down to make way for the house.

Residents reported hearing the sound of a chainsaw shortly before 5 a.m.

Six more elms were later removed, after inspections by city forestry staff.

Police said a man involved in the move was charged with mischief over $5,000.

There was no update to provide on the case, a police spokeswoman said Friday.

In November, the city confirmed it had reached a compensation deal with the moving company to cover damages and costs associated with the cleanup and stump grinding.

While it was moved to its final destination, the same house collided with an overhead sign on the Perimeter Highway’s Wilkes Avenue overpass Aug. 11, 2021.

Kola Building Movers Ltd. received more than $3,000 in Highway Traffic Act fines for an overweight load and height and plate requirement violations, according to court records.

The company, based in Austin, Man., about 120 kilometres west of Winnipeg, did not respond to a message seeking comment.

— staff