The Stampede Elm, a fixture in Calgary for about 125 years, was cut down last week for a new event centre.
The Stampede Elm is an American elm tree planted in Victoria Park in the early 1900s. The memorable tree stood proudly in the centre of the Calgary Stampede parking lot.
However, the Calgary Woodturners Guild has a proposal to keep the historic tree alive.
Terry Golbeck, the guild’s program director, wants the wood from the Stampede Elm distributed among non-profit woodworking clubs in the city.
When the Calgary Stampede returns this summer, Golbeck wants the clubs to display their pieces at a booth honouring the Stampede Elm.
He would also like the pieces to be auctioned off, with the proceeds going to the Alberta Junior Forest Wardens (AJFW).
The AJFW is a family-oriented program that develops youth awareness, appreciation, and respect for the natural environment.
“Because these are people who plant trees, they learn about trees as kids, and I think it would elevate their profile, and the kids can see the value of being part of planting trees,” Golbeck told CTV News.
The city has yet to provide a definitive answer, but the guild did receive a response.
“The person who emailed me said that they liked the ideas and that they would forward them to a committee who was considering what’s going to happen to the tree,” said Golbeck.
What Good Is Old Wood?
According to Golbeck, the wood of the Stampede Elm can still be used, even if the tree’s core is rotten.
He points out that working with elm wood is much different than most wood because it is cross-grained, which makes it very sturdy.
A cross-grain is caused by a tree’s cells spiralling in one direction and then, after a few years, spiralling in the opposite direction.
Elm trees played a big part in settling America and were used to make everything from wagon wheels to water pipes before the introduction of metal ones.
Today, elmwood is used to make sporting goods, industrial flooring, crates, musical instruments, and more.
Because elm wood is so tough, it is much more challenging to work with than most other woods from trees grown in a northern climate.
But the wood’s unique grain pattern makes the extra effort worth it.
As for what can be made using the Stampede Elm’s wood, the sky’s the limit for the Calgary Woodturners Guild.
“We’ve got guys that make pens; they don’t take much wood. We have guys that make huge live edge pieces, so there’s not really a limit there. It’s just your imagination, you could make anything,” said Norm Olsen, president of the guild.
Planting The Seed Of Change
If the guild’s proposal is approved, it would create an opportunity for more than just woodworkers. The proposal would help the AJFW support more youths.
“We do all kinds of fantastic things from hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, target shooting, so it just helps offset the cost for our programming,” said Tim Watts, a board member with the AJFW.
As the threat of a warming climate continues to grow, teaching our youths the importance of respecting and protecting our environment is necessary.
During its life, the Stampede Elm watched Calgary grow from a small town to a bustling city.
Unable to survive relocation, the city decided to cut the elm down. Similarly,
Calgary is cutting down several trees in the Marda Loop neighbourhood.
Calgary’s removal of trees raises the question of where the city draws the line.
The Stampede Elm was a heritage resource but was cut down in favour of an event centre.
What does that mean for the remainder of Calgary’s historic trees and green spaces?
