When?

From April 22, 2025 (weather conditions permitting)

Where?

In the south portion of the park, near Rue Rachel, around the sports fields and the family hub. 

What?

Starting this spring, the operation will include:     

• Felling 8 trees (6 in 2025 and 2 more within the next 3 years)
• Trimming 13 trees whose branches pose a risk 

Furthermore, the following actions are planned for this fall: 

• Planting 6 red oak trees, in order to maintain the park’s canopy 

Why?

The decision was reached following a diligent analysis. While trees may appear healthy, they could be affected by internal cavities (fungus), which compromises their structure. 

Over the past decades, the park’s poplars have been monitored by urban forestry crews due to their size and their characteristics. This particular species does not have a good defense mechanism against internal cavities. Thus, once a cavity appears, it quickly spreads to the entire tree. There is no known treatment to slow its progression in affected trees. 

There are also other aspects that can cause a tree’s deterioration. These include freezing rain, strong winds causing broken branches, as well as certain insects. 

How are cavities diagnosed?  
 
Various techniques lead to a reliable diagnosis. Firstly, binoculars or an aerial bucket provide an aerial view of the tree in order to detect any anomalies. 

The condition of the trunk and branches is also assessed using a tomograph, which is an imaging tool used to scan a tree’s sound waves to detect decay without piercing or damaging the tree. 

Depending on the location of the cavity in the tree, branches may need to be trimmed (for safety) and the trunk may require felling.