Photo by Vince Fedoroff
ON BORROWED TIME – The Mayday tree was moved to city hall as a tribute to the memory of former MP Martha Black.
Project forces uprooting of beloved Mayday tree
City manager Linda Rapp describes the historic Mayday tree outside city hall as the most beautiful tree in the city.
City manager Linda Rapp describes the historic Mayday tree outside city hall as the most beautiful tree in the city.
But with the major reconstruction planned for city hall over the next two years at an estimated cost of $24.5 million (see story above), the most beautiful tree will have to come down.
Rapp said staff have examined the tree and have determined it’s near the end of its natural life.
But staff have also taken clippings from the tree to be planted elsewhere, she said.
The Mayday tree, or European bird cherry tree, was moved to the location from the former First Avenue home of George and Martha Louise Black, says the commemorative plaque that sits at the foot of the tree.
The tree was moved to the location as a tribute to the memory of Martha Black, also referred to as the Yukon’s First Lady. Black was the first Yukoner and second woman to be elected to the House of Commons. She served as the member of Parliament from 1935 to 1940.
Black arrived in the Yukon after coming over the Chilkoot Trail during the Klondike Gold Rush in 1898.
The tree was given to the Blacks by Mayo resident Simon Mason-Wood.
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Comments (17)
Up 1 Down 0
yukoner on Jun 10, 2021 at 9:39 am
This whole project, and the tree as the crowning jewel, is a complete farce.
The City of Whitehorse Parks knew 5 years ago in early stages of City Hall redesign that the tree would have to be moved. The lead hand refused to allow any assessments, because it would be too much work and too expensive to move the tree.
Time to stop lying! Show us an actual report, completed by a certified Arborist and Tree Risk Assessor. The City doesn't have one single staff member with the expertise to make this determination. Go ahead and call the Parks manager or director up, I bet those boys couldn't name a single tree in any park they're in charge of. They're trying to get this tree cut down ASAP so it can cease to be an issue.
The tree can ABSOLUTELY be saved, the City of Whitehorse Parks just lacks the will and vision to make it happen.
Up 1 Down 4
Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2021 at 11:22 am
Hey LORF...that wee short of hilarity, in milliseconds put our community in my head during that epic battle scene.
treebeard was the one who lit off the revolt too, kicked out the dam to rinse the filth outta the valley...
Tell me our many special interests, state actors of all levels, perpetually offended,
fed THE hell up regular citizens of all flavors couldn't make that scene valid?
..I'd suggest you may be wrong, they absolutely could!
Who the Orcs are, of course, would depend where on the "wheel of essential" you "feel" you may be "best" represented by.
Frankly, a good artist (which absolutely is not me) should do a local reproduction of said epic LOR battle scene factoring in all our "players"
LORF...sincere thanks for that rabbit hole "triggered" by your participation.
Up 2 Down 0
Lord of the Rings Fan on Apr 22, 2021 at 8:46 am
Don't tell Treebeard...
Up 14 Down 4
Blake on Apr 20, 2021 at 9:20 pm
Maybe the tree could be saved if council/staff weren't using up space by gifting themselves a large private paved parking lot (tax-free benefit, of course). It is as Joni Michell predicted.
Up 11 Down 3
TheHammer on Apr 19, 2021 at 1:36 pm
There was time in my culture to cut down certain trees was a death penalty. Every Tree had a connection to the fairies. 'Fairy folks are in old oaks.'
Up 9 Down 1
If the tree is on its last legs on Apr 18, 2021 at 4:41 pm
Why not plant another one beside it?
Up 8 Down 32
Nathan Living on Apr 18, 2021 at 11:16 am
Give a few cuttings away then cut this tree down.
Times are a changing and we have to move on.
Green spaces and environmentally sensitive areas have no place in modern Whitehorse. We are a wealthy modern city so many things are now a thing of the past.
Up 2 Down 18
Atom on Apr 18, 2021 at 11:02 am
Shouldn't folks be out protecting their homes from the imminent spring flood, proclaimed by some Yukoner? Sunny today, again! Beware.
If cut soon, split and stacked, the tree will honour Yukon history by warming the user, hopefully a true Yukoner, this winter come cold times...you know, real cold like it used to be here.
Yes, if folks looked hard enough, they may find all kinds of ways to honour this piece of Yukon heritage and ensure it keeps hearts aglow with it's extra ordinary significance....
Up 45 Down 2
Yay! remove nature for cold sterility on Apr 16, 2021 at 8:40 pm
Let me guess, KZA design. Similar to McBride museum. Equivalent of a land battleship that screams, cold, calculating, cruel, government, with some metal siding and cheap materials?
Not that any materials are cheap today.
"The building design could use the tree as a focal point..."
"No, no, that would involve architecture, what I've done here is stepped on an empty kleenex box, this is our model to work from. As you can clearly see, there is no room for the tree."
"Can we pick the siding colour?"
"Grey will be an option."
Up 23 Down 6
SBinette on Apr 16, 2021 at 8:14 pm
This is very sad. Obviously this historic tree means a lot to Whitehorse residents. It contributes to the beautiful things we look up to in our City, to the moment it is in bloom, release it smells and reminds us of spring when everything takes life again. The story behind this tree is also of very much significance to Yukoners and connects us to part of our heritage.
I guess I have several questions and suggestions to the City. Why is it that the City can decide of the fait of such an "artifact" in so little consultation when municipal historic sites are bound by many layers of decisions for, as an example, a lilac tree? Would the City consider to re-establish the defunct heritage committee that used to provide input on such decision? Since the tree means so much to citizens, has the City considered to work with people from the heritage and museum sector to see how the legacy of this tree could be celebrated? Our museums work as steward of Yukon collective memory and provide experiences that build community, contribute to defining a sense of place and provide memories and opportunities for stewardship. We also have a historical and museums association that advocates on behalf of heritage matters in Yukon. I don't know about you but I see many opportunities here to celebrate this Mayday tree. One wonder if the City consider the partners in their decisions?
Up 31 Down 5
CJ2 on Apr 16, 2021 at 6:33 pm
This decision (City Hall included) feels like advantage is being taken of COVID restrictions making people less engaged than they might normally be about such a major shift. I get that heritage buildings in Whitehorse aren't charismatic or architecturally significant in themselves. But it does seem like knocking down our modest City Hall should generate a little more interest than a new Dairy Queen. And that the decision is being rushed forward because the federal government offered funding for projects is frustrating.
As for the May tree, I agree with a previous comment that the report that it's on it's last legs should be verified, because administration's bias in favour of this development is obvious.
While it's true May trees don't last forever, this tree has always gotten exceptional care. There are very few mature trees in downtown Whitehorse and there is nothing like that one. The take-no-prisoners approach to development seems soulless and of another age.
Up 39 Down 3
Guncache on Apr 16, 2021 at 6:29 pm
"Staff have examined the tree and determined it is near the end of its life" Do you have experienced arborists in staff? Don't think so. Arborists "outside " dig trees up that are bigger than this May tree and transplant them.
Up 7 Down 25
Oya on Apr 16, 2021 at 5:12 pm
Interestingly, Alaska has declared Mayday trees to be an invasive species. They are most concerned when these trees are so close to a river as to allow the seeds to spread uncontrollably. While I truly do love that tree and think it is absolutely beautiful, I also wonder if we shouldn't also consider restricting Mayday trees. Perhaps something to look into PRIOR to planting seedlings hoping to keep this tree going...
Up 37 Down 3
Max Mack on Apr 16, 2021 at 4:59 pm
"Rapp said staff have examined the tree and have determined it’s near the end of its natural life."
Well, isn't that convenient. Smirk.
Up 46 Down 5
TheHammer on Apr 16, 2021 at 3:25 pm
Typical, it's happening all over the world. This tells everything about the planners and the plans.
Up 55 Down 4
Ernie Bourassa on Apr 16, 2021 at 3:21 pm
I'm sorry to hear this. Back in 2007 when I left Whitehorse to move to Kelowna I took a sprout from the base of this tree and then planted it in my son's yard in kelowna. Despite him cutting the top off twice with his riding mower it survived and grew to at least 15 feet tall in the ten years they were at that location. I love this tree and encourage the City to transplant as many of the sprouts as possible.
Up 76 Down 5
Anie on Apr 16, 2021 at 2:56 pm
Anyone who has lived in Whitehorse for any length of time will remember the city's appalling record of planting trees and letting them die of neglect. Does anyone remember all the mayday trees planted in Crestview? No, didn't think so. But we are supposed to trust them that this previous tree is nearing the natural end of its life and Linda's crew - that's the same Linda who oversaw the "plant em and watch em die" regime when she was head of parks and Rec, will save cuttings and plant new trees from old. Get an arborist in and demand that it be someone independent and the complete report be peer reviewed and made public. Don't let them destroy this historical tree out of convenience. There has to be a way around it.