In an effort to make cellphone towers blend into their environment, Bell plans to build 20 towers disguised as pine trees in Muskoka, north of Toronto.
The steel towers would be 25-29 metres tall and rise up above existing trees, covered with fibreglass branches, and set to be installed in May. Since they will be built on private land, it does not require municipal approval to build. This idea isn’t new, as parts of the U.S. have long had cell towers in disguise.
Not everyone thinks they look ‘natural’ though, as the Alice Murphy, mayor of Muskoka, told the Toronto Star they are “like a white pine on steroids,” but she of course welcomes the towers for better reception, since the area is popular during the summer.
Here’s a picture of the ‘pine tree’ cellphone tower below:
What do you think? Yay or nay? Wood you want to see one of these in your community? I think it’s a great idea, as regular cell towers are an eye sore. Kudos to Bell.
[via the CBC]
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They already do this in Las Vegas. They are disguised as palm trees.
Awesome. Great plan!!
There’s already one of these “trees” along highway 60 in Algonquin Park. If you don’t know which one it is, you’re unlikely to notice it, but once you know it’s easy to pick out.
I have seen it 🙂
Fine by me. I’m at my in-laws cottage right in the heart of Muskoka any chance I get. As a Bell customer, I can say I’ve never had any issues up there, even with data. If they can improve on that, then bring it on!
A+
I want one in my backyard.
My question is tho, wouldn’t animals such and birds or squirrels make nest in that possibly causing damage? Then again, the radiation coming from those towers would basically cook them inside out lol. I never tried crow! Haha. I think it’s a good idea tho.
Muskoka is a district municipality; Alice Murphy is actually the mayor of the Township of Muskoka Lakes, which is in Muskoka district.
It’s a great idea… And it’s already done a lot elsewhere…
I guess Bell ran out of Church Steeples to install their towers in. Does this tree still need the blinking red light at the top if it’s around an airport per say?
I just saw one in Algonquin park yesterday. We were wondering and laughing why is there a fake tree. Now the mystery is solved! It look so odd up close, but very real from far. The base sees exposed bolts and has a fiberglass wrap. Its very evergreen, therefore it sticks out like a sore thumb at this time of the year. For those interested, the tree is located at the entrance packing lot at Whiskey Rapids on Hwy 60.