So many lovely places to stop and meditate
Gardening in Traffic Calming Spaces
Directions
The next few directions will show why this tree walk is a bit of a dance, as we shimmy around a couple of streets so we can see the last two West End community areas before heading back to the start. Walk along Nicola until you reach Nelson. You will see the Fire station on your right and a very old Vancouver building block on the left that is full of character. Both are considered Vancouver heritage buildings.
Then head one block west along Nelson until you get to Cadero and turn left. Walk one block until you reach the corner at Comox. Here you will see another public hang-out space next to another school. Enjoy this hive of West End activity not forgetting to replenish liquids at the water fountain on the corner. You will need it as it’s time for the one hill on the walk. Walk along Comox, cross over Nicola and keep going until you reach Broughton where you need to turn left. Walk one block along this street and you will reach the last of our pedestrian areas. Go through it or stop for a while. On exit turn right and walk along Nelson for one block until you are back at Jervis. Turn right, walk to the corner of Comox and Jervis and look up. Rising high above the buildings is our last featured tree – the ethereal Black Locust.
Stand beneath and look up it’s amazing!
Black Locust
Proper Name: Robinia pseudoacacia
Common Names: Black Locust, False Acacia
Description: This tree is one of the tallest in the West End at around 80ft. It’s a beautiful tree with amazing fissured bark, elegant foliage and creamy white pendulous flowers in the spring. Being a member of the pea family (Fabaceae) the flowers will turn to pea-like pods after flowering.
Defining Feature: Because this tree is so tall getting a close up look at anything but the bark is hard, but that’s enough to go on because it’s unlike anything else you’ll find in the street (see picture below).
