PORT SYDNEY - The maple tree is a Port Sydney icon.
In all seasons, its unique grandeur attracts the eye.
The “giving tree,” which seems to defy gravity as it extends its reach over the Muskoka River, has been the site of countless family portraits in all seasons and has been the muse of several artists.
It has been the centre of a long-standing fundraising campaign for the community hall.
So when the Town of Huntsville had the tree aggressively pruned last week, some in the community were shocked. However, while some were appalled, calling the act a “desecration,” others thought it was high time the tree had a little professional work done.
“A resident of Port Sydney had asked me last fall to have a look at that tree specifically,” said Colleen MacDonald, manager of parks and cemeteries. “He felt that it was in need of some care. I fully agreed once I did an inspection.”
The town hired Davey Tree Experts to do maintenance pruning for the tree and five others at Indian Landing.
“This type of maintenance pruning involves removing dead branches from the crown and also lightening or thinning the crown as preventative measure. A crown that has been thinned is better prepared to tolerate high wind, snow and ice load,” said MacDonald.
One resident said he thought the tree was going to topple into the river when high water levels in the fall crept up the trunk.
“The removal of dead branches is a measure to prevent injury to people (and) damage to property. The thinning, pruning and lightening of crown is preventative in nature but also encourages healthy, vigorous growth,” said MacDonald.
She added that the work done to the tree was performed by a certified arbourist, which has its operations yard in Bracebridge.
“Our goal in this work was to improve the health and structure of this tree, as well as the others that were pruned. I can say with confidence that we achieved that goal,” said MacDonald.
See page A5 for a related letter to the editor.