The city is investigating after it had to remove a tree that was home to one of the B次元官网网址渕ost noticeable eagleB次元官网网址檚 nests in Surrey.B次元官网网址�

SurreyB次元官网网址檚 manager of trees Nadia Chan told Peace Arch B次元官网网址 that she received a call Tuesday afternoon that a tree, located on private property at the corner of Croydon Drive and 20 Avenue, had been partially cut and was at risk of falling.

A city arbourist visited the site that afternoon and determined that the tree was at high risk of falling because it had been cut on both sides, and B次元官网网址渁lmost entirely the way through,B次元官网网址� Chan said.

Surrey eagle biologist David Hancock, owner of , was there to supervise the removal of the tree Tuesday evening.

B次元官网网址淚 had no alternative (but) to say that it had to come down,B次元官网网址� Hancock told PAN, adding that the tree was hanging on by two inches of wood.

Hancock said heB次元官网网址檚 known of the eagle nest, which could be easily spotted from Highway 99, for the past eight years. It has been used to raise bald eagles every year since then, he added.

Chan said the cityB次元官网网址檚 first priority was to secure the area. Crews began closing the road, and removing the tree at approximately 5:30 p.m.

Chan said an investigation has been opened by both the city and province, and they are yet to have any leads on who may be responsible for damaging the tree. She said the city notified the province because the damage caused to the tree is an infraction of the Wildlife Act.

B次元官网网址淪o many people drive by and see it so easily. The tree and the area around it was slated to be saved. The fact that (someone) just said B次元官网网址榯he hell with it, IB次元官网网址檓 just going to pay the fine and cut it downB次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� thatB次元官网网址檚 sheer greed,B次元官网网址� Hancock said.

Hancock said there were no eagles in the tree when it was cut down, but he did see an eagle nesting in the tree on Sunday (July 22).

B次元官网网址淭he nest is an active nest. ItB次元官网网址檚 raised young every year.B次元官网网址�

While the tree was being removed, Hancock said a group of neighbours gathered to see what was going on.

B次元官网网址淚t was not pleasant, but everybody behaved themselves.B次元官网网址�

Chan said the city did not issue any permits for the removal of the tree.

B次元官网网址淭he person who started the removal complicated matters. It was a dangerous removal. The company that we had on site did an amazing job at bringing that tree down safely,B次元官网网址� Chan said.

Hancock said the person who initially cut the tree wedged out a section and then cut through the other side.

B次元官网网址淎ll of a sudden, it wasnB次元官网网址檛 going to go in the direction he wanted so he abandoned the area and got the hell out of there,B次元官网网址� Hancock said. B次元官网网址淚t was about to fall on the power lines.B次元官网网址�

Chan agreed that the power lines were a concern.

B次元官网网址淣ow Surrey doesnB次元官网网址檛 have its showpiece bald-eagles nest. One of the most productive. ItB次元官网网址檚 kind of sad,B次元官网网址� Hancock said.

Wednesday afternoon, Surrey resident Brian Thorsteen was walking near the fallen tree. A pile of twigs and feathers, which used to be an approximate five-foot-by-five-foot eagles nest, was scattered across the ground.

Thorsteen said he didnB次元官网网址檛 want to take a closer look because B次元官网网址渋t makes me feel sick.B次元官网网址�

He told PAN he was in the area at approximately 5 a.m. Wednesday morning, and could hear juvenile eagles crying from a nearby tree.

Hancock said heB次元官网网址檚 interested in rallying the community together to build a new eagle nest in the area.