TRURO, N.S. – About a quarter of the tree sculptures that line the streets of Truro, N.S., have been removed in recent years because of rot and more will likely follow.
Don Cameron, the town’s tree committee chairman, says they knew the art wouldn’t last forever, but where they expected 20 to 30 years they’ll probably only get 10 to 15.
The wooden sculptures started in 1999 as a way to deal with the number of trees infected with Dutch elm disease and to slow the spread of the disease to healthy elms.
The affected trees were generally between 100 and 175 years old.
There were 43 sculptures in the collection, ranging from historical political figures to athletes, business people and well-respected local individuals.
Cameron says the town made the best out of a bad situation and will continue to enjoy the remaining sculptures for as long as they last.
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