Hey, I suppose this is their way of "being green" I'm kidding of course as that's a real stretch for the term. I think it's a clever idea and maybe they can do something similar in national and provincial parks like Algonquin. Once you stray off the Highway 60 corridor in Algonquin Park you start to lose cell phone coverage quickly. In todays connected world, why should that have to be (>duck<)?

Some folks may not like unsightly towers in such natural settings (they may also not like ringing cell phones either but I think most phones have a vibrate mode), so this is a way to minimize the visual aspect of it anyway. Too bad, no big redwoods up here

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/right-click/bell-canada-muskoka-cell-phone-towers-disguised-trees-191850098.html

Many cell phone towers here in the Phoenix area look like King Palm trees and have for years.

They have been in the UK for a few years now

Dave

In my area, I have seen some that look like pine trees! I've been asked "What kind of tree is that?) by someone who had never seen one! They definitely look better in many environments than a regular tower and those I have seen are much shorter. Do they look fake? Yes, but better than the alternative.

SFJ

The first time I saw one was in Phoenix, I think it's a great idea in cities or parks. I knew there was one in Algonquin park, but it took someone to point it out to me before I could locate it in that huge park.

You'll find them all over the Orlando area...

The ones disguised as trees look sort of like 200' tall leafless
oaks around here. IE -- Fake, and stick out like a sore thumb.

I want to see them make one that looks like the prairie!

Since the prairie is so flat, you don't need them very tall. You could probably hide them in a cow pie, er, I meant windmill!!!

SFJ

Cell towers are a reality and making them look more like trees sounds like a cool idea (I have seen a few like that in my travels as others have noted) Maybe they could even have some bird nests in them - or would that make the birds glow?

I saw one in Algonquin Park last summer, had me confused until I realized what it was

In Arizona I could hear young Kestrels in a nest. There was a palm tree nearby and I concentrated watching that tree. A female Kestrel came by and flew past the natural palm to her nest in a phony palm about 200 yards away.

I've managed cell tower construction on public property (I work for a municipality) for about 15 years. We have them on water tanks, bell towers, fake trees, clock towers, the roofs of tall buildings, light poles at sports venues, church steeples, flag poles and many others. They can be fairly cleverly disguised if the attempt is made.

I have seen cell towers disguised as pine trees, palm trees, saguaro cactus, clock towers, big flag poles, often hidden in church steeples, on water towerss, on power poles, on buildings, hidden on top of a grain silo, etc. Cell companies have to do those sort of tricks for zoning. Everyone wants great cell coverage, but many towns find the towers unsightly. So if Cell company X wants to build a tower the planning and zoning commission might balk. But if a local church wants to build a bell tower (that they then lease the inside to cell company X) the P+Z folks will instantly approve it.

Glowing birds! Would they then have their own built in backlight? Could be kind of cool.

Well Bill now I'll know who to blame for any funky-looking cell phone towers in that unnamed municipality! Can I blame their red light cameras on you too?!

I still don't know how the topic ended up under "photography topics", but it did catch a bit of attention! Around here P+Z always has a fight on their hands (even with bell towers, church steeples, etc.) because of RF radiation concerns, even though almost everyone uses cell phones, 3G or 4G service, etc.

SFJ

Matthew, I usually get blamed for cell tower issues whether I am responsible or not. I don't have anything to do with red light cameras however.

Interesting. I had no idea this was already done south of the border. I hope places like Algonquin Park will increase the cell coverage by using similar disguised towers. Whether you are hiking, doing photography or both...you are able to stay connected. Keep in touch with others hiking in other parts of the park. If you require help (injury, fall, trail info, etc.)...assistance is only a call away. You can check for up-to-date weather, catch up on a few things, etc.

In surrounding Phoenix there are several saguaros as cell towers. Looks like something off the set of a John Wayne movie. It's better than a constructed obvious tower but it is funny to see.