Shangri La

In one of my previous posts I wrote about the highest trees in Toronto.  Twenty six of our Hornbeam trees were lifted to the 65th floor of the Shangri La Hotel in downtown Toronto.  We have since planted them in June as the construction progressed.  Now, as the hotel is nearly finished so was the final part of our installation.  We had to install some large Sculptured Pines to the third floor and the sixth floor.  This installation also included installing some large granite rock.  Not any rock mind you - this took weeks of preparation and searching southern Ontario's quarries to find the perfect pieces.  Many quarries were searched with the final selection coming out of Havlock Ontario - east of Peterborough. It was not just one trip to the quarry - it was several.  It was necessary to place the rock before it left and cut it so the pieces would fit in the precise manner required on the the third floor. And then there were the trees.  They were sourced last fall from a nursery on the west coast.  They came to PAO early in the Spring and were healed in the ground and maintained and pruned until the construction of the third and sixth floor were complete.  Which was last weekend.  Then there was the prep work of the actual installation.  These rocks weigh 10,000 lbs - not easy to move. So with the coordination of several people, we finally were ready to install.  We required an extra large crane for this as the rocks were so heavy.  We finally got a permit and were able to close down two lanes of University Avenue for the weekend.  The crane was set up and then it was show time.  The rocks went up first followed by the trees.  Once the trees were up they they then had to be manoeuvred into position.  These trees are very valuable and have distinct formations so the placement of them is crucial.  Once they are in position they will not be moved again.  It was exciting and neat to see it all come together (didn't need the rain though!).  The crane operators were amazing - the coordination between the two of them was tremendous.  Think of it -the crane guy (Michael) on the ground can't see a thing on the third floor or sixth floor - yet he is operating the crane.  So the the guy on the third floor (Scott) is directing him literally every inch of the way. Pretty spectacular.  And of course there are our guys - who just adapt with each obstacle.  It doesn't matter how well you plan things in this industry, there is always something unforeseen.  I think the pictures are self explanatory - and there are alot of them - hope you enjoy!