Achi news desk-
A large elm tree that stood for more than a century in a parking lot just north of the Calgary Saddledome has been cut down.
The tree, affectionately known as the Stampede Elm, had stood at the location, just south of 12th Avenue and east of Olympic Way SE, for more than 125 years.
However, the city recently announced plans to remove it to make way for the construction of Calgary’s new events center and on Monday crews moved in to tear it down.
All that was left by Monday afternoon were piles of logs and a fence surrounding the area in the middle of the parking lot where the iconic tree once stood.
An elm tree that stood on a lot near the Calgary Stampede grounds for more than a century was reduced to a pile of logs and wood shavings.
Global News
The removal of the tree is one of the early signs of construction on Calgary’s new events centre, which will include a new home for the Calgary Flames.
Although the beloved tree may be gone, the city is taking steps to preserve its memory and genetics for future generations.
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Around 150 seeds have been collected to be planted in a nursery in the city and branches were also cut from the tree to grow into new trees.
The University of Calgary has also taken steps to preserve the tree’s memory by producing digital images of the historic elm.
