Century-old trees in La Fontaine Park razed over safety concerns
At least 7 of the aging trees will be chopped down
A number of 100-year-old poplar trees in La Fontaine Park will soon be but a memory as the city razes them due to safety concerns.
Last year, some branches fell from the centenarian trees. No one was hurt, but the incident launched an investigation that found seven of the trees had to go.
The trees had become dangerous, they were so old.- Plateau–Mont-Royal borough spokesperson Catherine Piazzon
Claude Gagnon, president of community organization Les Amis du Parc La Fontaine, questioned the decision but admitted "it is not easy to challenge when they say it's for security reasons."
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Magali Couture lives near the park and was so distraught by the sight of the workers chopping down the poplars that she convinced a worker to give her a circular slab of "her tree."
"I'll turn it into table. That way, I'll keep a beautiful memory," she said.
The city says more trees will eventually be planted in the park.