Yes, it’s just a tree. Yes, it was already dead and there are plenty of live trees out there waiting to be hugged.

But I’m still a little down about this scene I passed today. The lovely graffiti covered trunk of this dead tree has been at the corner of Queen and Peter for, well, I don’t know – but it’s been long.

It’s not clear what prompted the second death of this stump. Did a drunk walking out of the Entertainment District without digits take it out? Maybe it was one of those double wide strollers that can’t help usurping the entire sidewalk? A mystery takes root. 

Whatever happened here, the city will probably be on the scene soon to haul off another little bit of Queen St. ephemera.

If you're looking for a tree on your property, best to put a call into LEAF. In this case, neighbours can get a tree replanted on this patch of city-owned turf for free. 

UPDATE: The tree appears to be in safe hands.