A large chestnut tree in Oak Bay that was poisoned came down Tuesday.
The removal of the tree, which sits on Beach Drive, was done by Bartlett Tree Experts.
Large chestnut tree in Oak Bay that may have been intentionally poisoned being removed today #yyj #oakbay pic.twitter.com/QdTJzh8zeW
— Oak Bay News (@OakBayNews) October 23, 2018
The tree’s rapid decline spurred an investigation by the District of Oak Bay and Oak Bay Police in May. Oak Bay News was told earlier this year that depending on the outcome of the investigation, criminal and civil charges may be laid.
READ MORE: Large Oak Bay tree dies after possible poisoning
Oak Bay Police said Tuesday that in order to lay criminal charges they need sufficient admissible evidence that a specific individual committed a crime.
The District of Oak Bay was asked about the investigation but did not respond by press time.
Deputy Chief Ray Bernoties told Oak Bay News earlier this year that this is a complex case.
“These files can be more complex than one might think,” said Bernoties in June. “Even when it might be obvious who has motive, we need to establish ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ that a specific person is the actual individual who committed the offence.”
Whereas, in a civil proceeding, Bernoties explains, there is a lesser burden which is often referred to as a “balance of probabilities.”
More to come.
– With files from Keri Coles
