The Vancouver PoetTree is a place where anyone with poetic aspirations may write and attach their masterpieces of the written word.

Look for venerable red oak at the corner of Beach and Bidwell in Alexandra Park on English Bay, just across the road from the waterfront inukshuk. This is one of Vancouver's most spectacular trees. Aged between 100 and 110 years old, it is an inspiration in itself. If you feel inclined, sit or stand under the tree, gaze out over the Pacific and compose your poem. You may use one of the paper Vancouver PoetTree templates provided in the water-resistance sleeves, or paper of your own.

The idea behind the PoetTree was to provide a place for people to combine cultural expression and environmental appreciation. Other than that it will be up to the artistic and environmental communities to figure out just how this works. On the environmental side, the method of securing the poems to the tree was approved by the city's Arboriculture Department managed by the Park Board. (So don't take this to mean you can start manipulating public trees at will.)

The rope holding the poems is modeled after a style used in Japanese temples and shrines to honour particularly venerable trees, some of which may be centuries old. The rope, made of tree bark from the Philippines, was tied so that the tree would suffer no entry wounds, even from shallow tacks. The lanyards are made from recycled beverage containers, and the water-resistant sleeves are made out of, okay, plastic. In the future we would like to source an affordable green alternative. For now, vinyl is final. 

There are no real rules regarding the poetry for the tree...but community members will monitor the site to make sure it doesn't get trashed. You may NOT post ads, announcement, or anything that could be considered offensive by a diverse, inclusive and respectful community.

Poems appearing on the tree may from time to time be reprinted on this web site.

To inaugurate the Vancouver PoetTree, Canada's Poet Laureate Fred Wah read a dedication poet at the site on the First Annual TreeKeepers Day on Sept. 21, 2013.