The health of Cochrane's beloved 300-year-old Grandfather Tree is in jeopardy and the town is asking people to stay off of it while it explores the best measures to take to ensure its survival.
This week, the town sounded the alarm and announced temporary snow fencing will be placed around the iconic white pine in early to mid-December. In the meantime, there is a small sign on site of the Cochrane Ranche tree and people are asked to refrain from climbing on the massive, exposed roots or the tree.
Michelle Delorme, town director of Parks and Active Living, says the parks department has been monitoring the health of the beloved tree for several years and is being proactive to ensure it will continue to be on our landscape.
The white pine has been marketed as a place to visit in Cochrane and is a popular destination for locals. What people may not realize is it's being suffocated by all this love.
"People are climbing on the tree and on the roots and it's causing erosion and compaction of the soil. What that does is inhibit the tree's ability to take up water, and so we really need to start protecting the tree," says Delorme.
She says there is a small sign already there, but it isn't doing the job. A larger sign with a QR code will be posted when the temporary fencing is installed. When scanned, it will provide updates on the town's actions and information on its significance.
"It is a fairly drastic step. We know that the grandfather tree is well-loved in our community and it's one of those spots where people go to see and enjoy nature. That's why we've taken a little bit of a further step in making sure that we're giving it a permanent solution in the long term."
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On its website, the town says the tree is not only an important part of Cochrane’s natural heritage but also a vital symbol of strength and resilience.
"This ancient tree would have reached full maturity around the time of the Cochrane Ranche, standing as a living witness to the region’s history. Its impressive root system stretches deep into the ground to access water, while also growing outward to support the weight of the tree, helping it stand tall through centuries."