The 'park's heartbeat': Beloved tree in Perth to come down Thursday

For many decades, the iconic tree named Jessie has been a friend to the residents of Perth, comforting them with shade on hot summer days and providing a familiar presence every year during the Stewart Park Festival.
On Thursday, however, locals bid farewell to their treasured companion, which has towered over Stewart Park with its thick branches and rough, mossy bark. The silver maple tree has been deemed a safety hazard by arborists and must be cut down.
“I think of (Jessie) as the park&