Metro Vancouver has called in the Mounties after someone cut down as many as 35 trees in one of its public parks.
Metro staff came across the arboreal massacre near a service road in North Vancouvers Capilano River Regional Park in mid-January. The culprits had apparently hacked down the second-growth timber, some of it as much as 60 years old, with hand- and chainsaws. The mess they left behind will cost as much as $50,000 to clean up, according to Metro.
Its a pretty brash and thoughtless act, said Greg Valou, a spokesman for the region. Were (working) with the RCMP . . . to figure out exactly who did this and why, and to bring them to justice. This is a criminal act.
The damage is not just esthetic, said Valou. The trees removal risks destabilizing the steep slope they were growing on, and the loss of canopy has let in sunlight that could encourage the growth of invasive species, he said.
Its an ecologically sensitive area; theres a whole bunch of old growth trees around there. . . . Its created a lot of potential ecological risks.
Its not clear to what extent the removal will affect the surroundings or whether it will impact the older trees nearby, he said, but theres little doubt the damage will be expensive to repair. The area is difficult to access, but staff will nonetheless have to remove the mess before it becomes a fire hazard. Metro is waiting on an arborists report that will give it a full assessment.
Valou declined to speculate about the cutters motives.
The region reported the matter to the North Vancouver RCMP last week, he said. The force is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to contact the detachment at 604-985-1311.
Check back here for more.
Follow us on Twitter: @NorthShoreNews
