A spruce tree in Lockeport that was due to be cut down, seen here decorated with signs calling to save the tree. Photo: Bonnie Knickerson
Residents of Lockeport have successfully convinced the town to reconsider cutting down a spruce tree that is near the center of the town.
Earlier this week the town announced their intent to remove the tree due to concerns over its health and replace it with another tree.
The spruce tree is a cherished memory to many including Bonnie Knickerson who helped organize efforts to save the tree, ” Every year since the mid-90s the tree has been getting decorated for Christmas, and for a lot of people it reminds them of Lockeport during the holidays.”
After Knickerson heard the tree was to be cut down she had a friend of hers who previously worked at the Department of Lands and Forestry come and inspect it, “He told us the tree was perfectly healthy and there was no reason based on that to cut it down.”
To raise awareness Knickerson and others made signs with phrases like “Save Me!” and “Don’t Cut Me Down” which they then put on the tree.
An image of the signs on the tree was shared online, which was then reposted over 100 times in just a few hours.
The town had originally planned to cut down the tree on November 20 however on November 18 shortly after the image of the tree was posted the Town of Lockeport announced the tree would no longer be cut down.
“We were just so pleased to hear that because for the life of us no one could figure out why they would want to cut this tree down and try and replace it with something else.”
