Memory Trees
In 1997, I was chosen as the artist-in-residence for Vancouver's Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre. During that time, I collected many anecdotes about trees in the neighbourhood, especially those which people said had been important to them in some way. I also started an extensive photo archive of the local trees. Since that time, many of them have been removed, to accommodate development or because it was thought some sort of hazard to the public. In other cases the trees I photographed have grown substantially or have been replaced by other trees. So the archive serves as a kind of time capsule, documenting Marpole-Oakridge's urban forest circa 1997.
I owe a great debt of gratitude to Carol Sogawa who was the co-ordinator of the community centre at the time. Carol set up numerous interviews for me with people in the community and also helped me locate many of the trees. This project wouldn't have succeeded without her knowledge of the community's culture and history. Thanks also goes to Jil Weaving and Susan Gordon of the Vancouver Parks Department for facilitating the artist-in-residence program.
Slide Show:
Atlas Cedar
Photo taken by Oliver Kellhammer, April 1997
Artist-in-Residence, Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre
Atlas Cedar
Cedrus atlantica
According to a former student at this school, children used to play in this tree. Some of the branches are still pulled away from the trunk in the places where the children would climb up the tree and jump off.
Bigleaf Maple
Photo taken by Oliver Kellhammer, Summer 1997 Artist-in-Residence, Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre
Bigleaf Maple
Acer macrophyllum
These maples and horse chestnuts have grown along this pathway since well before Oak Park was expanded in 1945. People used to walk along this route to get to the Oak Street tram, which made its last run in 1952.
LINK TO MAP LOCATION:
Cypresses
Photo taken by Oliver Kellhammer, May 1997 Artist-in-Residence, Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre
Row of Lawson Cypress along Laurel St. There is something a little scary about these trees. They seem vaguely anthropomorphic, like dark green ghosts floating just above the lawn.
Golden Trees
Photo taken by Oliver Kellhammer, May 1997 Artist-in-Residence, Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre
These golden Tilia trees are located in Tisdall Park. I'm not sure what cultivar they are but the leaves are absolutely spectacular when the sun hits them late in the summer afternoons.
Japanese Cherry
Photo taken by Oliver Kellhammer, March 1997 Artist-in-Residence, Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre
Japanese Cherries
Prunus serrulata
Ornamental planting at entrance to Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre.
Japanese Maples
Photo taken by Oliver Kellhammer, May 1997 Artist-in-Residence, Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre
Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum
These trees had originally been planted in front of the old police station at 620 West 45th, when it was built in 1961. They were transplanted to Tisdall Park in the spring of 1997, after the station was slated for demolition.
Lawson Cypress
Photo taken by Oliver Kellhammer, April 1997
Artist-in-Residence, Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre
Lawson Cypress
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana
This cypress is the last of three such trees once standing on this spot. The two others, cut down in 1991, had golden-coloured foliage. The children at the Marpole preschool were given one of the stumps and they enjoyed hammering nails into it.
Lawson Cypress stump at Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre
Magnolia
Photo taken by Oliver Kellhammer, April 1997 Artist-in-Residence, Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre
Magnolia
Magnolia soulangiana
A neighbour saved this magnolia, located on West 60th St., from being cut down as the property was being redeveloped. The night before the bulldozers were to move in, she put up a sign reading "this tree is very special." She said it made her feel good to know that one less tree had been pulled down.
Oakherst Hospital Trees
Photo taken by Oliver Kellhammer, May 1997 Artist-in-Residence, Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre
Various Trees: Acer, Cornus, Quercus, Tilia, Fagus etc,
This beautiful grove, containing maple, Western Dogwood, English Oak, linden, European Beech and hawthorn was on the grounds of the former Oakherst hospital.
Some of the trees dated back as far as the First World War.
Construction of a housing development began here in 1997 and many of the trees were subsequently destroyed. Another piece of Vancouver's storied horticultural heritage obliterated...
Rowan Trees
Photo taken by Oliver Kellhammer, May 1997
Artist-in-Residence, Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre
Rowan Trees
Sorbus acuparia
Two rowan trees, also known as mountain ash, stood here in front of Colbourne House until the spring of 1999. In Scotland, these trees were traditionally planted on either side of gates to keep away evil. In Ireland, the rowan tree is said to be inhabited by fairies.
later that summer...
Sequoias
Photo taken by Oliver Kellhammer, April 1997 Artist-in-Residence, Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre
Sequoia
Sequoiadendron giganteum
These sequoias were planted in the winter of 1982-83 just after the all-weather soccer field was installed. Adult sequoias are among the largest and oldest trees in the world. If they are lucky, these specimens could live 2000 to 3500 years.