City mystified as large tree suddenly topples in Vancouver’s West End

VANCOUVER – A huge tree has toppled in Vancouver’s West End, damaging two low-rise apartments.

The tree was among a row of similar trees, all roughly 12 metres tall, along the 1800 block of Nelson Street, just north of Denman Street.

Park Board officials say it came down without warning on Thursday afternoon.

Boughs of the large, deciduous catalpa tree smashed windows on several floors of both buildings but no one was hurt.

Roots of the tree were also ripped out of the ground, tearing up a large chunk of sidewalk.

Park Board spokesman Howard Normann says crews will take a very close look at the tree and its roots as they haul the remnants away, because it’s not clear why the catalpa fell.

“The roots look healthy, the tree looks good.It’s very strange,” he says.

Weather was pleasant and winds were light at the time. (CKNW)