Saying Goodbye to Exhibition Place’s Oldest and Largest Tree

May 31, 2018

TORONTO May 31, 2018 – On the grounds of Exhibition Place next to the Administration Building, known today as the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) Administrative offices, stands a large American Elm – one of the oldest and largest trees in the City.

For over a century this Elm hugged the southwest side of the building, while its long branches and lush green leaves provided canopy coverage to the thousands of visitors who converged at the Princes’ Blvd. and Saskatchewan Dr. intersection.

In 2004, the Board of Governors of Exhibition Place approved and installed a plaque honouring the American Elm as the oldest and largest tree at Exhibition Place, commemorating its place within the grounds as a symbol of strength, resilience and endurance.

 

But today, after weathering many harsh Toronto winters and surviving Dutch Elm disease, the City of Toronto has determined that the tree that greets visitors as they enter the grounds at Dufferin St. has to come down. The dead tree poses a risk to the health and safety of people, roads and buildings in the area.

 

Work on removing the tree will begin today on May 31. The work will take a few days to complete.

Please be aware that due to the size and danger involved with this type of work, road restrictions and detours will be in effect while this work is being completed. We ask that anyone visiting the Exhibition Place grounds avoid entering from Dufferin St. for their safety, as well as the safety of the City of Toronto staff that will be working to take the tree down. Visitors are requested to enter the grounds from Strachan Ave. and Manitoba Dr.