Vancouver artists could carve some good out of recent powerful windstorm

VANCOUVER – A windstorm that toppled trees across British Columbia’s south coast could fuel many fireplaces over the coming winter, but officials hope it will spark something creative, too.

The Vancouver Park Board estimates at least 500 trees came down in parks and along boulevards during the Saturday storm, with large canopied trees such as maples, among the losses.

The park board says chunks from several huge cedars will be donated to First Nations artists, but that still leaves plenty of wood that must be piled and removed.

Park board chairman John Coupar says several coveted species of hardwood are available.

He says everyone is welcome to remove wood from boulevards and use it as they wish, although chainsaws shouldn’t be used on public property.

Any wood still remaining on city property will be chipped. (Global)