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OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, September 23, 2009 · 16 Living Oakville Beaver LIVING EDITOR: ANGELA BLACKBURN Phone: 905-337-5560 Fax: 905-337-5571 e-mail: ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com The last has not been heard from the ear tree By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF There's a big, old tree on Third Line that has witnessed -- and appears to have heard -- a lot of life in Oakville over the years. Now that its centre is hollowed out and its health has been brought to the attention of the Town of Oakville, the tree will soon cease to be standing at its abode at 260 Third Line. However, it will live on, particularly the piece of it that resembles a human ear, thanks to the concern of Oakville resident Steve Zazulyk and Ward 1 Councillor Ralph Robinson. Early this month, Zazulyk, who owns Canway Group Corporation in town, was driving by as is his usual practice en route to dropping his daughter off at school, the Oakville Christian School at the foot of Third Line. "We have been admiring that tree for years. It looks like it has a human ear on the side of it. Whenever we drive by, we say `There's the ear tree,'" said Zazulyk, assuring The Oakville Beaver he does indeed have both feet on the ground. Originally from Sarnia and a forestry student in his university days, the Oakville businessman has operated his business here for many years. He also moved here to make his home with his family -- his wife, LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER Kelly, and their daughters, Natalie, 19 ALL EARS: Steve Zazulyk stands beside what he calls "the ear tree,"a silver maple and Olivia, 14. This month however, on a trip past on Third Line that will soon be cut down. the beloved `ear tree,' something new was added to the usual view -- a large, orange X on the side of the tree. The tree was destined for destruction and Zazulyk felt compelled to see if he could save it. "My daughters are always rolling their eyes when I do some of the things I do," admitted Zazulyk, explaining just like trying to save the tree, he often stages his own community cleanups and picks up trash armed with a bag at a particularly messy location. Zazulyk was especially attuned to trees after having spent time this summer with his wife visiting California's Sequoia National Park where they saw the General Sherman -- a giant Sequoia tree that's nearly 300 feet tall that's believed to be somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000 years old. This time around, when Zazulyk took in all the large orange X signified, he put out an appeal to Ward 1 Councillors Ralph Robinson and Alan Johnston. In a particularly speedy turnaround, Zazulyk found himself invited to an inspection of the tree with Robinson and a lead Town forestry staffer, Erik Hasenhindle. While Zazulyk had met with the homeowner whose house is nearest the tree and offered to get the tree pruned by a friend who is a forester, the homeowner had declined. And indeed, the Town determined that the tree was hollowed out inside. A branch had fallen and that led the nearby property owner to reporting it to the Town. Robinson confirmed that once alerted, the Town is bound to take action for a situation that may be unsafe. So, Zazulyk found himself somewhat disappointed with the confirmation that the tree would be cut down. However, to cure those blues over the silver maple with the human-like ear, the Town has offered to give Zazulyk the section that appears like an ear and the Stanfield Road resident already has big plans for it. He said he'll make it into a table for his patio -- and when it's finished, he's inviting all those involved in this episode of the tree's life, to share a glass of wine at the ear tree table. Zazulyk who is very enthusiastic about Oakville and who can recite the many notable trees around town, said he was very impressed by Robinson and Hasenhindle. "People often criticize the Town, but this town wants to keep our trees," said Zazulyk. "The tree is going to come down, we're not sure when," confirmed Robinson. "As sad as I am as it's quite unfortunate, the whole centre of the trunk is empty," said Robinson. And just why does this tree have what appears to be an ear on it? According to Robinson, it appears a poor job in trimming a branch from it years ago, left the scar. Brookdale celebrates 50 Brookdale Public School is teeming with youth every day even as the school itself marks its 50th anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 3. Just as the public elementary school welcomes young elementary students daily during the school year, Brookdale, which is located at 1195 Bridge Rd., will welcome the community to its anniversary party on Oct. 3. Brookdale opened in September 1959. Since then students have been educated within its walls and the school communities over the years have reached out into the surrounding neighbourhood and broader community. Though small and now aging, Brookdale continues to be a contender as its students continue to achieve competitive success in the realms of robotics, volleyball, basketball and crosscountry events. On Saturday, Oct. 3, from 1-4 p.m., Brookdale will be open to the public to celebrate its 50th anniversary. There will be decade rooms, tea and staff past and present. An invitation is being extended to the entire community to visit and salute 50 years of academic excellence in Oakville. A MILESTONE: Students at Brookdale Public School celebrate their school's 50th anniversary.