New trees for old on Bernard Ave.

Trees being removed as part of Phase 2 of Bernard Revitalization will be replaced with a species more appropriate for urban settings.

Photo: Contributed - City of Kelowna

In all, 36 trees will be removed between Abbott and Pandosy streets. The trees were evaluated prior to the start of the project.

The removal of many of the trees was made necessary by the need to improve sidewalk drainage and pedestrian circulation.

Additionally many of the trees, planted in concrete planters that have severely restricted root growth, had reached their maximum size and were beginning to decline in health.

Approximately 50 new trees will line Bernard Avenue in the Abbott to Water phase, as can be seen in Phase 1 from Richter to St. Paul.

To ensure the new trees get the best start for a long and healthy life, structural soil is being used because it can be compacted for strong pavement design while providing considerable soil volume and permitting healthy, normal root growth.

About 140 new trees will be planted along Bernard Avenue in total from all phases, while about 70 will be removed.

The new trees for Bernard Avenue are called Skyline Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos inermis). It is an adaptive, fast growing deciduous tree that is cold hardy and low maintenance.

Its canopy features fine leaves that filter light and is less of a barrier when looking outside from office or residential buildings. It is seedless, drought-tolerant once established and adaptable to city environments.

For more information about Kelowna’s trees, click on the Urban Forestry link at kelowna.ca/parks.

Visit kelowna.ca/cityprojects under Bernard Avenue Revitalization for more information.