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Beloved Saskatoon Tree Felled After Decades of Memories
9 Sep
Summary
- Saskatoon's widest tree, a prairie cottonwood, was removed in 2025
- Tree was a neighborhood landmark where generations of kids played
- Locals had mixed feelings about the tree's removal due to safety concerns
In September 2025, a beloved prairie cottonwood tree in Saskatoon's Montgomery Place neighborhood was removed by the city after standing as a local landmark for over 40 years. The tree, located at the corner of Normandy Street and Elevator Road, was named the widest in the province by the Saskatchewan Forestry Association in 2019, measuring 1.7 meters around.
For generations, the tree had been a gathering place for local children, who would come to test their climbing skills on its low-hanging branches. Russ Prosko, a longtime resident, recalled how the tree was a popular spot for kids, though sometimes they would get stuck and need help getting down.
While Prosko and other neighbors expressed mixed feelings about the tree's removal, the city decided it had to go due to safety concerns. Tim Fullawka, an arborist with Living Skies Tree Service, explained that the tree was starting to decay and had become a hazard. After a full day of work, the massive tree was finally toppled, with some of the wood being repurposed for a memorial carving in the neighborhood.
The loss of the iconic cottonwood tree has left the community feeling nostalgic for the memories it held. As one resident noted, it was a landmark that many people would drive by and photograph over the years. Though the tree is gone, its legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of those who grew up playing in its shade.
