The last thing Larri Woodrow expected when he joined other volunteers to plant trees at Derby Hills Park on Jan. 7 was to find that dozens of trees had been illegally chopped down.
Woodrow and other volunteers planned to plant trees in the riparian zone of Yorkson Creek. What they found was standing trees that had recently been cut and discarded, leaving high stumps.
Because the stumps are high and the trees simply discarded toward the CN rail property, it appears to be the work of a vandal, he said.
“We found fresh quad tracks,” Woodrow said.
Who and why is the mystery, and on Jan. 23, the Township reported the vandalism to Langley RCMP to find out.
Woodrow doesn’t believe it’s the work of residents hoping to improve their views, because none live close enough to have their view impeded by the trees.
The trees were several inches in diameter, and the tallest about 10 feet. The trees were Douglas firs, pines and native cherries.
“When we looked closer, we found further evidence that trees had been removed and chipped with holes bored in the low stumps where rot-promoting chemicals were likely placed,” Woodrow said.
He called the destruction “a terribly wrongful act.”
Woodrow’s suspicions were confirmed by Township staff who visited the park for a second time on Jan. 23. They found that someone had drilled holes in the stumps, likely for applying a herbicide to prevent re-growth of the tree. Based on the condition of the trees, the holes were probably drilled two to three years ago, staff concluded.
The report noted that unauthorized tree cutting occurred in the same area four years ago.
The Township’s Parks Regulations Bylaw states: No person shall cut, pick, break, dig, pull up, injure or in any way destroy, change, or damage in whole or in part any tree, shrub, plant, grounds, turf, flower, building, structure, fence, sign, equipment, seat, bench, thing or ornament of any kind, or in any way foul, litter or pollute an fountain, lake, public beach area, stream, pool, pond, in any park, boulevard, or driveway, or injure, deface or destroy an notices, rules or regulations posted or affixed to anything by order or permission of the council.
Anyone who violates the bylaw may be charged with a criminal offence.
David Leavers, head of the Township’s parks department, is urging anyone who knows about the incident to call police at 604-532-3200, or his department at 604-532-7350.