The tree is a World War One memorial created by Charlie Perkins in 1919

SURREY (NEWS 1130) – A tree that is the cause of a curve on Highway One between 176th Street and 200th Street has fallen.

Locally it’s called Charlie’s Tree, after Charlie Perkins, who fought in World War One. He dedicated the tree to his friends who never made it home after the war.

No word on what brought it down, but crews were out last night with heavy equipment working on it.

The tree’s existence was in jeopardy in 1960, when Highway One was being built through Surrey, but Perkins stood by the tree to protest it being taken out. The highway engineers adjusted the design so the road curved around the tree.

Wreaths, flowers, and flags are still left at its base every year in remembrance of the war effort.

Breaking: video of crews taking away #CharliesTree. Made history as memorial to soldiers. Fell by HWY1 #SurreyBC pic.twitter.com/QQZKNmlFcE — Bruce Claggett (@BruceClaggett) July 31, 2016