Neighbours were ready to pitch in and plant almost 100 trees near the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre, but utility infrastructure has thrown a wrench in the plan.
Earlier this year, the Nikkei Place Foundation, a Japanese Canadian charity which supports the cultural centre, proposed to plant 66 cherry blossom trees and 28 Japanese maples along Highland Park Line Trail in Edmonds.
The trees, representing Japan, Canada and the cultural diversity of Burnaby, would be funded by longtime Burnaby resident and philanthropist, Ken Shinozaki, who envisioned the project.
But a surprising number of conflicts, particularly between utility pipes and tree roots, are hindering the proposal, according to a recent City of Burnaby report.
BC Hydro said planting trees on the Highland Park Line would conflict with overhead power lines and nearby “critical underground gas pipes” which “supply a substantial portion of south Burnaby,” according to the report.
Additionally, FortisBC said no trees could be planted near its gas pipes, as the planned trees could have too long of a root spread, according to the report.
Similar issues arose when the groups tried to relocate the planting site to the south side of the boulevard along Beresford.
There, the problem would have been proximity to water lines and limited city-owned land for planting.
In another potential area, city engineering staff found storm and sanitary sewer pipes within the statutory right-of-way that would cause “significant challenges.”
Staff added the “required excavation for tree root balls would dangerously position the roots near the sewer infrastructure.”
And staff said it was “not advisable” to plant trees next to the tennis courts at Burnaby South Memorial Park “due to safety and maintenance concerns," according to the report.
There is some space to plant trees between Nikkei Place and the Alan Emmott Centre, but there’s only enough for one or two trees “due to the limited width of the property and its proximity to the Hydro right-of-way.”
“Additionally, conflicts with existing tree structures and underground infrastructure, such as sewer and storm lines, a ductile iron watermain, and Hydro lines, further restrict planting options.”
Keiko Funahashi, executive director of the Nikkei Place Foundation, said her team is ready to look at other options.
“It might not be a tree; it might be something shorter,” she told the Burnaby NOW. “But we want to do something for our community.”
She added the neighbourhood had been very excited about the idea of the tree planting.
“They were fully supportive – people were asking if they could donate towards the project,” she said, noting people even asked to help plant the trees.
City staff will work with the Nikkei Place Foundation for advice on tree retention and tree planning decisions on public lands.
