what\'s it like to live with a historic landmark on your doorstep?
by:Runcheng Chuangzhan
2019-08-11
There is a natural phenomenon on the front lawn of Hussein Sheikh\'s house in Kennedy Heights, Surrey. C.
A red cedar tree, known as a rock tree, sprouted in a glacier crack on a huge boulder and now stands over the family home that makes up the Sheikh\'s classic suburban community.
From the moment he saw the rock tree, he said, he knew he wanted to live there.
\"I was shocked at first because I had never seen such a thing,\" Sheikh said . \".
\"It caught my attention and I said I would buy a house here.
\"Eight years ago, Sheikh moved into his home and every year he brought a tree expert to inspect the rock trees.
Nearly 20 years ago, friends of the Kennedy Park Community Association worked to save the area as a developer proposed to develop a new zoning for the area.
Consulted the Sto: lo and Kwantlen Aborigines who identified the rock tree as a sacred place.
The Council designated the tree heritage and built new subdivision areas around it, including the homes of Sheikh.
Today, it sits behind a small wooden fence about six steps from Sheikh\'s front door.
\"I said I bought the house at all costs, but I didn\'t tell the seller,\" he said with a smile . \".
\"Otherwise he will raise the price. I\'m not stupid.
Shaikh said he read that plants and trees respond to human voices, so he speaks to trees every morning.
Red cedar stump is not the only historical tree in the area.
If you take a short drive from Sheikh\'s house, you will find red cedar stumps.
It is estimated to be between the ages of 500 and 1,000, standing between Kiran Dhaliwal\'s house and the boulevard in front of her house.
The tree has been dead for several years, but it is still high enough to rise on her porch, about 9 metres in circumference.
\"I like it because I like these old traditional things,\" she said . \"
\"Some of my family and relatives said it might affect my resale value, but I said, no, it\'s okay. I like it.
\"Dhaliwal said she didn\'t mind the tourists who came to her house to see the old landmarks.
\"Most of the time, when I was sitting on the window upstairs, I saw someone coming over to take pictures and read [the plaque],\" she said. \"I said go ahead.
This is public property.
A red cedar tree, known as a rock tree, sprouted in a glacier crack on a huge boulder and now stands over the family home that makes up the Sheikh\'s classic suburban community.
From the moment he saw the rock tree, he said, he knew he wanted to live there.
\"I was shocked at first because I had never seen such a thing,\" Sheikh said . \".
\"It caught my attention and I said I would buy a house here.
\"Eight years ago, Sheikh moved into his home and every year he brought a tree expert to inspect the rock trees.
Nearly 20 years ago, friends of the Kennedy Park Community Association worked to save the area as a developer proposed to develop a new zoning for the area.
Consulted the Sto: lo and Kwantlen Aborigines who identified the rock tree as a sacred place.
The Council designated the tree heritage and built new subdivision areas around it, including the homes of Sheikh.
Today, it sits behind a small wooden fence about six steps from Sheikh\'s front door.
\"I said I bought the house at all costs, but I didn\'t tell the seller,\" he said with a smile . \".
\"Otherwise he will raise the price. I\'m not stupid.
Shaikh said he read that plants and trees respond to human voices, so he speaks to trees every morning.
Red cedar stump is not the only historical tree in the area.
If you take a short drive from Sheikh\'s house, you will find red cedar stumps.
It is estimated to be between the ages of 500 and 1,000, standing between Kiran Dhaliwal\'s house and the boulevard in front of her house.
The tree has been dead for several years, but it is still high enough to rise on her porch, about 9 metres in circumference.
\"I like it because I like these old traditional things,\" she said . \"
\"Some of my family and relatives said it might affect my resale value, but I said, no, it\'s okay. I like it.
\"Dhaliwal said she didn\'t mind the tourists who came to her house to see the old landmarks.
\"Most of the time, when I was sitting on the window upstairs, I saw someone coming over to take pictures and read [the plaque],\" she said. \"I said go ahead.
This is public property.
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