Growing back with hope

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/07/2020 (2013 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A group of residents in southeast Winnipeg has taken a green-thumbed approach to help restore the area’s urban tree canopy.  

According to a news release, residents in the Kingston Crescent and Kingston Row neighbourhoods recently planted trees in nearby parks, boulevards and yards, which represented more than a year of collaborative work.  

The Kingston Crescent Urban Tree Committee has been working in partnership with Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital), the City of Winnipeg’s urban forestry department, Alliance Tree Care, and area homeowners to do their part in contributing to Mayor Brian Bowman’s vision of planting one million trees across the city, organizers say.

Sixty of the 80 new trees were planted by the City along the boulevard and in three parks — Kingston Park, Norfolk Park, and the Canoe Club — and 12 trees were planted in Kinston Park and Norfolk Park that were purchased from Alliance Tree with the help of a grant from Mayes. Residents planted another eight trees on private property that will help build the tree canopy. 

 
Robert Orr, chair of the committee, said he’s been pleased with the collaborative effort of everyone involved in the initiative, not least because area residents have been saddened and concerned about the loss of dozens of towering trees in the neighbourhood to Dutch elm disease, as well as the threat posed by the emerald ash borer.

“It’s been disheartening, at best, to watch our elm trees disappear,” Orr said.

“It’s hard to imagine this neighbourhood without these trees. As a child, I remember Winnipeg before Dutch elm disease arrived, and I never thought these trees would disappear.”

Orr said while the committee planted a smaller number of tress than the City, their dozen trees will be well maintained and nurtured with water, fertilizer, and fencing.

“It’s the best of both worlds,” he said.

Orr said the key to beginning the process of replenishing the tree population is to “plant straight away.”

“In Winnipeg, especially in the last 10 years, we’ve had a harder time keeping up with the disease. We have to act fast, or it will take over the city,” he said, adding Winnipeg has the largest population of mature elms in Canada.

Orr said he hopes residents in other neighbourhoods in Winnipeg might follow suit.

“I really hope every neighbourhood in Winnipeg is willing and able to do what we have done. We’re lucky here — it’s a strongly connected neighbourhood with lots of interest.”

On behalf of the committee, Orr said he is grateful for the contributions of everyone that came together to make the planting initiative a success.

As well as Orr, the executive committee members are vice-president Barb Bristow, treasurer Roxana Mazur, and secretary Lorraine Thomas. Diane Poulin has put her name forward as a member-at-large.

The trees planted include maple, Ohio buckeye, discovery elm, crab apple, American linden, cherry and lilac.