THE RAWLINGS STUDY

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Activity:

An inspection and assessment by an independent Wildlife Tree Committee of British Columbia Certified Wildlife Hazard Tree Assessor of a non-biased sample of trees in Stanley Park previously marked for mitigation by City of Vancouver, B.A. Blackwell, or their contractors.

A return inspection by the independent assessor of the assessed trees after mitigation work by City of Vancouver, to verify the independent assessor's assessments.

Purpose:

To study health and stability, assess risk of failure, and confirm or refute the danger rating previously assigned to the blue ribbon marked trees.

Dates:

VISIT ONE: Pre-mitigation assessment of condition: March 5, 2025.

VISIT TWO: Post-mitigation assessment of stumps: April 2, 2025.

Methodology:

An area on the Rawlings Trail in Stanley Park was selected for its high concentration of blue ribbons. Certified Wildlife Hazard Tree Assessor Norman Oberson proceeded to walk south along the trail from the starting point and inspected the first thirteen trees with blue ribbons within a rectangle extending 70 metres to the east of the starting point, and 50 metres to the south. The blue ribbons were believed to signify intent to mitigate by either topping or complete removal.

Each of the thirteen trees was individually inspected using a sounding mallet to find evidence of decay, if any, in the root or in the butt of the tree. Estimating the degree of rot, if any, suggests whether the tree is structurally unstable and should be assessed as safe, dangerous, or requiring of a more detailed inspection.

Result:

There were eleven coastal western hemlocks, one Douglas fir, and one western red cedar. Twelve of the trees were assessed to be safe. Periodic monitoring was recommended for two of the safe trees. Guying was recommended for the cedar to ensure its continued safety during future windstorms.  One tree was assessed to be dangerous, with removal (pruning) of one overhead branch required to re-designate the tree as safe. None of the inspected thirteen trees was assessed to require removal or topping.

On the return visit, the independent assessor observed that eleven of the thirteen trees had been removed by City of Vancouver.

See the video