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Famous Trees of the Lower Mainland

Posted by Daniel on Aug 15, 2009 - 42 comments

Historian Chuck Davis writes:

If I had the time I’d like to compile a small booklet on celebrated local trees. The late Dr. Gerald Straley of UBC wrote Trees of Vancouver, the standard reference for the kind of trees here; what I have in mind is trees that are interesting for historical reasons. Trees, for example, planted by distinguished visitors, or the Hollow Tree in Stanley Park, or the “Hudson’s Bay Tree” used by factor James MacMillan to mark the location of the proposed Fort Langley, or the famous maple tree that once stood where Gassy Jack’s statue is located in Gastown today, but was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1886.

One tree that would get special attention is Charlie Perkins’ tree next to the Trans-Canada Highway in Surrey. You’ve likely driven by that Douglas Fir, originally 210 feet high, many times, and may know some of its story.

Many decades ago Charlie and four of his chums used to splash and play in a small swimming hole near that tree. All five went into battle when the First World War began. Only Charlie, a flight instructor with the Royal Flying Corps, returned. As a remembrance of his friends he planted ivy around the base of the tree and dedicated it to the memory of his friends.

Then, in 1960, Highway 1 began to be built through Surrey. Its proposed route would put it right through the little glade Charlie had cleared. The memorial tree would have to go. Charlie, now a senior citizen, protested, and friends and neighbors joined him in that protest. They were heard by Highways Minister Phil Gaglardi, and the highway engineers curved the road to go around the tree. This is perhaps the only instance in Canadian history where a major highway was diverted to avoid harming a tree. You can see the bend in the road to the right of the eastbound lanes of the Trans-Canada between the 176th Street and 200th Street exits.

Charlie’s Tree is still there, although some years ago fires set by vandals led to its being topped. But every year on November 11 a wreath is placed at the lofty stump by the Whalley Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, and other passers-by leave poppies and bouquets of flowers.

Labels: LANDMARKS, TRANSPORTATION
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COMMENTS:

Anonymous user said:
I grew up wondering about the tree then in 1998 when I went to University in the Uk I heard the story from an eldery man there. When I met him he said 'my brother in law lived in Surrey, BC you may know his tree'. He described Charlie's tree. He then told me the story of his brother in law's tree. He said that the ivy was taken from Audley in the UK and planted at the base of the tree. He said that the highway was diverted around the tree. I am headed over to visit them again in a month, and will ask him the story again and here the british side of the story.
May 05, 2012 at 7:33pm
Anonymous user said:
Nice
Apr 10, 2012 at 10:35am
Anonymous user said:
Ken Edlund re charlies tree what a nice way to remember your special friends god bless our veterans
Apr 02, 2012 at 10:00am
Anonymous user said:
Ken Edlund re charlies tree what a nice way to remember your special friends god bless our veterans
Apr 02, 2012 at 9:59am
Anonymous user said:
Ken Edlund re charlies tree what a nice way to remember your special friends god bless our veterans
Apr 02, 2012 at 9:59am
Anonymous user said:
Ken Edlund re charlies tree what a nice way to remember your special friends god bless our veterans
Apr 02, 2012 at 9:59am
Anonymous user said:
Ken Edlund re charlies tree what a nice way to remember your special friends god bless our veterans
Apr 02, 2012 at 9:59am
Anonymous user said:
Ken Edlund re charlies tree what a nice way to remember your special friends god bless our veterans
Apr 02, 2012 at 9:59am
Anonymous user said:
Ken Edlund re charlies tree what a nice way to remember your special friends god bless our veterans
Apr 02, 2012 at 9:59am
Anonymous user said:
Ken Edlund re charlies tree what a nice way to remember your special friends god bless our veterans
Apr 02, 2012 at 9:59am
Anonymous user said:
Ken Edlund re charlies tree what a nice way to remember your special friends god bless our veterans
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Mar 17, 2012 at 8:58am
Anonymous user said:
As a child my parents told us the story of the tree. I am happy to see the tree get the recognition that Charlie intended it to. C Alexander
Mar 11, 2012 at 9:49pm
Anonymous user said:
As a child my parents told us the story of the tree. I am happy to see the tree get the recognition that Charlie intended it to. C Alexander
Mar 11, 2012 at 9:49pm
Anonymous user said:
As a child my parents told us the story of the tree. I am happy to see the tree get the recognition that Charlie intended it to. C Alexander
Mar 11, 2012 at 9:48pm
Anonymous user said:
As a child my parents told us the story of the tree. I am happy to see the tree get the recognition that Charlie intended it to. C Alexander
Mar 11, 2012 at 9:48pm
Anonymous user said:
having lived here all my life and driven past everyday for the past 19 years, I also noticed the sign so googled to find the answer to the question that has been nagging at me all these years on why the tree was important enough to keep. May Charlie's tree live on forever.
Mar 07, 2012 at 12:19pm
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Anonymous user said:
I have been driving by that tree since I moved here 16 years ago. Further I remember it from many more years ago when I was a child and we came here from Saskatchewan to visit family. When I noticed the plaque, I'd always wanted to stop and read it but traffic has been far too nasty to chance it. As with the other comments it was because of the new sign I found this site and learned of the tree's story. Thank you for posting the story and thank you to whoever put up "Charlie's Tree."
Raylene
Feb 03, 2012 at 5:39pm
Anonymous user said:
i heard a story that it started to bleed when they tried to cut it is thta true
Jan 28, 2012 at 5:37pm
Anonymous user said:
i heard a story that it started to bleed when they tried to cut it is thta true
Jan 28, 2012 at 5:37pm
Anonymous user said:
i heard a story that it started to bleed when they tried to cut it is thta true
Jan 28, 2012 at 5:37pm
Anonymous user said:
Our family drives by that tree often and we always wondered about it. Today we googled and learned the story. May charlies tree always stand strong!
Jan 22, 2012 at 2:20pm
Anonymous user said:
As the above mentoined, what an amazing stoy.

My Dad and I moved to Vancouver in 1985. The first time I saw the Tree was when we were driving up to the Shushwap during that summer.For years I have always wondered why the highway curved around this huge tree. I saw the sign and googled it and now it feels like a life long mystery has been solved.

Russ
Jan 21, 2012 at 9:22am
Anonymous user said:
As the above mentoined, what an amazing stoy.

My Dad and I moved to Vancouver in 1985. The first time I saw the Tree was when we were driving up to the Shushwap during that summer.For years I have always wondered why the highway curved around this huge tree. I saw the sign and googled it and now it feels like a life long mystery has been solved.

Russ C.
Jan 21, 2012 at 9:21am
Anonymous user said:
As with the above comments, it's the "Charlie's Tree" sign that has finally helped me to find out the story of this lovely monument. When we drove past this afternoon we noticed the addition of some flags as well. What a beautiful tribute. We're so glad that it's still standing.
Jan 07, 2012 at 7:42pm
Anonymous user said:
I have looked for information about this tree for the longest time...I remember driving past it on the way home from my Grandparents house and I always used the Canadian flag nailed to that tree as a landmark that signaled we were almost home. I have never been able to find any info on this until now...I noticed the sign that has recently been posted there that said "Charlies' Tree" and that lead me here...so happy to have my answer. I knew it was something important to someone...how moving this story is...I am so happy that I finally have the answer and that the answer is so amazing.

Renae Carey
Jan 07, 2012 at 1:14am
Anonymous user said:
i never was able to find out the info..but last week i noticed a sign saying Charlie's Tree..how fitting really..as a few miles there is the big sign highway of heroes..Charlie and his friends were heroes in WW1 ..so i hope this tree will remain there forever..
Dec 11, 2011 at 7:01pm
Anonymous user said:
I did not know that there was a sign on this site when the traffic is not so bad I will stop and read it I think it is a great little story and Iam glad they saved the tree. Patricia
Nov 13, 2011 at 8:06pm
Anonymous user said:
I did not know that there was a sign on this site when the traffic is not so bad I will stop and read it I think it is a great little story and Iam glad they saved the tree. Patricia
Nov 13, 2011 at 8:06pm
Anonymous user said:
I did not know that there was a sign on this site when the traffic is not so bad I will stop and read it I think it is a great little story and Iam glad they saved the tree. Patricia
Nov 13, 2011 at 8:06pm
Anonymous user said:
I did not know that there was a sign on this site when the traffic is not so bad I will stop and read it I think it is a great little story and Iam glad they saved the tree. Patricia
Nov 13, 2011 at 8:06pm
Anonymous user said:
I finally, after many many years, stopped this morning and read the sign at the monument. This lead me to your web site and I learned the full story. Thank you for the information you have posted.
Jul 26, 2011 at 8:27am

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