An oak tree that once towered roughly 50 feet met its demise along Oliver Street on a bright and rainy Thursday evening, taking power lines and clear access along a public pathway with it.

Oak Bay Fire Department responded to a call around 8:30 p.m. on June 9 and learned the tree had fallen in the 800-block of Oliver Street between Central Road and McNeill Avenue, according to Acting Assistant Chief John Ballantyne.

Following correspondence with BC Hydro, he said the old oak had dislodged residential electrical lines and tumbled off private property but hadnB次元官网网址檛 disturbed the circuit breaker.

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B次元官网网址淭he biggest problem for us is power lines,B次元官网网址� Ballantyne said, referencing the B次元官网网址渟ummer pop-offB次元官网网址� the department deals with annually.

He added itB次元官网网址檚 rare for older trees to go down but invited residents to come admire the fallen tree, which as of 11 a.m. Friday (June 10) continues to lie where it landed, impeding access from St. Patrick Street to Monterey Middle School.

Chris Hyde-Lay, Oak Bay parks services manager, said the tree suffered from shoestring root rot.

B次元官网网址淵ou really want to keep an eye out for pests and diseases,B次元官网网址� he said, noting the unusual amount of rain in recent months has also been a factor.

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Hyde-Lay advised residents to consult an arborist about their trees and only water them monthly. He added that the Garry oak in particular is a B次元官网网址渞elatively good tree for drought tolerance.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淛ust manage it as you manage your roof.B次元官网网址�

Do you have a story tip? Email: evert.lindquist@blackpress.ca.

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