Royal Oak Trees, King George Highway
King George Highway, Surrey, Colombie-Britannique, V3S, Canada
Reconnu formellement en:
2004/01/12
Autre nom(s)
s/o
Liens et documents
s/o
Date(s) de construction
1937/01/01
Inscrit au répertoire canadien:
2005/03/17
Énoncé d'importance
Description du lieu patrimonial
The Royal Oak Trees are a row of ceremonial trees set along the wide side boulevards of the King George Highway, from the Nicomekl River near Crescent Road to the convergence with Highway 99 at 8 Avenue in South Surrey.
Valeur patrimoniale
The Royal Oak Trees are valued for their symbolic ties to the British Empire and monarchy. These trees were planted as a commemoration of the 1937 coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth and symbolize the British origins of many of Surrey's first settlers. Countries throughout the Empire were sent English Oak seedlings from the royal forest at Windsor Great Park to act as a lasting commemoration of the Coronation.
The King George VI Highway, part of an international highway system that connected Canada from the Fraser River, south to the Peace Arch at Blaine, Washington, was officially opened on October 16, 1940. The naming of the highway for the King was also a demonstration of loyalty to the Mother Country at a time of war. The trees were planted to define the highway as a formal processional.
The Royal Oak Trees are also valued because they provide a transition between a major public transportation corridor and private property. Creating a visual and symbolic break, the trees have become an important part of the landscape along King George Highway, from the Nicomekl River to 8 Avenue. The protection and maintenance of these trees also demonstrates the commitment of the City of Surrey in recognizing and preserving its natural heritage.
Source: Heritage Planning Files, City of Surrey
Éléments caractéristiques
Key elements that define the heritage character of the Royal Oak Trees include their:
- prominence and visibility along the King George Highway from the Nicomekl River to 8 Avenue;
- large spreading crowns, lobed leaves, deeply furrowed grey-black bark, lush dark green foliage in the spring/summer and autumn acorns;
- height (approximately fifteen metres), species (Quercus robur) and full seasonal canopy; and
- punctuation of the wide side boulevards, created by equal spacing on a straight line.
Reconnaissance
Juridiction
Colombie-Britannique
Autorité de reconnaissance
Administrations locales (C.-B.)
Loi habilitante
Local Government Act, art.954
Type de reconnaissance
Répertoire du patrimoine communautaire
Date de reconnaissance
2004/01/12
Données sur l'histoire
Date(s) importantes
s/o
Thème - catégorie et type
- Gouverner le Canada
- Le Canada et le monde
Catégorie de fonction / Type de fonction
Actuelle
- Environnement
- Élément naturel
Historique
Architecte / Concepteur
s/o
Constructeur
s/o
Informations supplémentaires
Emplacement de la documentation
Heritage Planning Files, City of Surrey
Réfère à une collection
Identificateur féd./prov./terr.
DgRq-45
Statut
Édité
Inscriptions associées
s/o