Victoria Day weekend revellers have destroyed a significant tree, according to the Essex Region Conservation Authority.
An Indigenous Signal Tree, which was used by indigenous peoples to mark boundaries or point to areas of interest, was severely damaged by fireworks over the long weekend at the Maidstone Woods Conservation Area. A photo of the damaged tree was released on Tuesday.
ERCA General Manager Richard Wyma said the authority is "extremely saddened" by the vandalism.
“It’s simply devastating that someone would destruct a tree of such cultural significance,” said Wyma in a media release. “We suspect someone set off fireworks in the tree’s hollow and that the tree was destroyed from the inside-out.”
According to the ERCA statement, signal trees were formed by bending saplings down near the ground, and tying the main stem to a rock or another tree with rawhide, grapevine, or secured with giant boulders. The lateral branch pointing directly upwards was retained while the rest were removed. Over time the tree settled into the bend, the rawhide was removed or withered away, and a so-called nose was often left to point the way. As the tree grew, the diameter of the main trunk remained bigger than the lateral branch forming the crown.
Wyma said the trees are getting tougher to find.
“Though common in pre-settlement times, most are now lost to habitat destruction and the practice of removing ill-formed trees in woodlots,” said Wyma. “The remaining ones are among the most important heritage trees around, and we are truly saddened by its loss.”
ERCA said the tree was a favourite spot for photography.
Two children sit on an indigenous signal tree at Maidstone Woods Conservation Area, May 2019. Photo provided by Essex Region Conservation Authority.
Anyone with information regarding the damage to the tree is asked to call their local law enforcement agency's non-emergency line.