Greening up the Trans-Canada

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This article was published 22/06/2020 (2160 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

People who often drive on the Trans-Canada Highway between Elie and St. Francois Xavier will notice a change.

The rows of trees that line the north side of the busy highway are being replaced with a variety of new trees and shrubs to form an eco-buffer, thanks to provincial funding.

The provincial government designated $2.5 million for the Trans-Canada Shelterbelt Renewal Project to work with Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation to restore 16 kilometres of shelterbelt from St. Francois Xavier to Elie and west of the PTH 430 intersection.

Approximately 20,000 new trees and shrubs sourced from Manitoba nurseries will be planted over the next two years. Shelmerdine Nursery of Headingley is the main contractor for the project.

Stephen Carlyle, Manitoba Habitat Heritage chief operating officer, said the project will run over three years. About one-and-a-half kilometres in the RM of SFX is being replaced this year, with another six kilometres to be completed in 2021 and the final eight in 2022.

“This year is a bit of a test year. This is just the start. It’s the first year of three years of planting,” Carlyle said.

A small section close to the Red Barn outside Oakville was also replaced already.

The primary reason for restoring the shelterbelt is to form a natural vegetation barrier to reduce the impact of north winds and snow drifting across the highway.

“The ultimate goal is to reduce road closures,” Carlyle said.

He isn’t sure when the existing shelterbelt was first planted along the Trans-Canada going west from SFX into the RM of Portage la Prairie but guesses the trees are about 25 to 30 years old. Many have died due to harsh weather conditions, herbicide spray drift coming from nearby farm fields, and excess moisture. The dead trees and all ash trees are being removed, then

Shelmerdine employees will prepare the ground for planting new trees and shrubs.

Carlyle said tree species will include spruce, pine, Manitoba maple, birch, poplar, chokecherry and haskaps.

“There are going to be a mix of species,” he said, adding that specific types of vegetation are being selected for dry and moist areas to boost their chances of long-term survival.

Shelmerdine will provide maintenance including watering for a few years after planting.

“The hope is to make a natural forested strip that is self-propagating.”

Carlyle said owners of land next to the shelterbelt are being consulted, and through the provincial GRowing Outcomes in Watersheds program, will have a 10-metre buffer strip of grass planted between their fields and the trees and shrubs.

Providing food for pollinators is another positive aspect of the project.