In the spring of 2003, Jacqui and her husband Paul decided to plant a new tree in their yard that would provide them with shade and privacy and add some diversity to their neighbourhood. They had come across information on LEAF’s Backyard Tree Planting Program in their Toronto Hydro customer newsletter. After learning about their soil, light and space conditions and discussing a variety of native species options with a LEAF arborist, Jacqui and Paul decided to have LEAF plant a Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus). Because Jacqui’s sister lived in Kentucky at the time and Paul loved coffee, it seemed like the perfect tree for their yard!
Jacqui and Paul took pride in their new backyard tree and loved watching it grow. By 2008, their little coffeetree had already grown to about 15 feet! Jacqui’s favourite feature of her tree is its full, leafy canopy. She told us, “The spread is fabulous. I can’t believe how tall it got!.” With regular watering and care from Jacqui over the years, her tree now stands tall in her backyard, providing an abundance of shade and beauty.
A few years ago, Jacqui’s husband Paul sadly passed away. Her tree now holds more meaning than ever because she and Paul chose it and nurtured it together. Jacqui told us, “If this tree were to die, a piece of me will die with it.”
Following her loss, Jacqui got two cats to keep her company. She named one of them Tribble after a cuddly alien from Star Trek because Paul loved the classic television series so much. Tribble loves the Kentucky coffeetree just as much as Jacqui does and spends a lot of time sitting in the shade under the tree. The funniest part is that she will only sit in the soil ring at the base of the tree and not on the grass!
This spring, Jacqui decided to plant another tree in her backyard through LEAF. After consulting with a LEAF arborist, she opted to plant a black cherry tree in memory of Paul because he loved cherries so much!
After having both trees planted by LEAF, Jacqui said that she couldn’t ask for a better organization to work with! She has told everyone about our program and even kept a lawn sign out for her neighbours to see. We at LEAF are so thankful for the amazing people in our community like Jacqui, who put so much love and TLC into nurturing their part of our urban forest.
The Backyard Tree Planting Program is supported by Ontario Power Generation, York Region, City of Toronto, Town of Ajax, and Toronto Hydro.
Brenna Anstett is LEAF’s Field Operations Coordinator.