For years, the mysterious "cannonball" tree in Old Quebec City drew visitors, eager to catch a glimpse of the dark metallic sphere lodged at its base. Some had even suggested the "cannonball" trapped in the American elm on Saint-Louis Street was an explosive. But that excitement came to an end when the city announced three years ago that it would have the century-old tourist attraction removed.
The 17-metre tree became a public safety risk after fungi invaded it, threatening its structural integrity. Officials called on a Canadian Forces team, which spent three days pulling out the elm and extracting the ball from its cavity in 2021. The Quebec City 'cannonball' tree was cut down in 2021.
(Carl Boivin/Radio-Canada) But to the delight of percussionists, the tree is getting another shot at fame. William Leclerc, a drum maker from Courcelles, Que., has repurposed the wood to make 10 snare drums and a drum kit to highlight the 10th anniversary of his business, Ebenor Percussion.
"It's a sound that I never produced in the past. It has its own identity," he said. "Elm produces a very dark tone, and it has a really nice sensitivity.
" William Leclerc, left, and his father, Gilles Leclerc, have worked together at Ebenor Percussion for the past seven years. (Submitted by William Leclerc) As a trained mechanical engineer and drum enthusiast, Leclerc said he was at Atelier du Bronze d'Inverness to pick up parts when the owner offered to sell him some of the Quebec City elm's wood. The br.
