Arbutus

Any arbutus growing in Vancouver is not an "accident" of Nature but a willful effort on the part of its planter. This tree (technically a vine) is difficult to establish, owing to a root system that shuts down when exposed to too much water. Hence the prevalence of arbutuses growing out of rock crevices. For those trying to establish an arbutus, a downward slope is essential.

I watched the former resident at the NE corner of East 18th Avenue and Clark Drive make two attempts at establishing what is now a mature arbutus. When the resident left and the house was slated for demo, I worried it might suffer the same fate as an arbutus across the street, when it was cut down seven years ago to make way for profit. Thankfully the City was watching over this particular arbutus, not to mention a builder who, at some expense, did everything possible to ensure that this tree would survive.