Adopt-a-Park-Tree is a simple concept with substantial impact. Trees need water, especially in the first few years after planting. Without enough water, young trees are at risk of dying before establishing their root system, which takes three to five years. With an Adopt-a-Park-Tree program, each young tree is adopted by an individual who agrees to regularly water, weed and mulch. So simple, yet so effective!
On Sunday June 29th, residents from around Cedarvale Park gathered to adopt their trees. Woodchip mulch was carted all across the park and one by one, tree bases were transformed from weedy and dry to rich and beautiful.
After approximately 30 trees were mulched and watered, everyone gathered to take a tour of the park, adding inspiration to the day’s hard work. Michaelle McLean kicked off the tour with some words of encouragement for the volunteers. Michaelle and her group, Friends of Trinity Bellwoods, started the first ever Adopt-a-Tree program and are now inspiring others to follow suit!. LEAF’s Executive Director, Janet McKay, then led the group through the park, highlighting many simple ways that volunteers can help improve the health of young trees. As the group meandered along the paths, we saw first-hand the devastating effects of some of Toronto’s major urban forest challenges such as the Emerald Ash Borer and the invasion of non-native plants. Janet emphasized the importance of stewardship projects like Adopt-a-Park-Tree in improving the health of our urban forest.
Friends of Cedarvale, who run the Adopt-a-Park Tree program, spoke about the diversity of stewardship and improvement projects they’ve undertaken in the past years, demonstrating just how much local residents can make a difference in their neighbourhoods.
One week later, on Sunday July 6th, we met with Friends of Norwood, DECA Tree and East Danforth residents to launch the program in two more beautiful parks. Our day started by mulching and watering 32 new trees in Norwood Park.
After our tree-care work was done, the group gathered to learn about Norwood’s gorgeous old trees – a vision of what the little adopted trees will eventually become! Robyn Stewart, LEAF’s Education and Outreach Coordinator, led the group on a tree tour through both the quiet residential streets and busier commercial areas between Norwood Park and East Lynn Park. The tour also highlighted a couple of other local tree stewardship projects. Councilor Mary-Margaret McMahon shared her knowledge of the Gerrard Street Tree Adopters program. This great project, organized by the Beach Hill Neighbourhood Association, helps the street trees thrive. Each tree base has been personalized with interesting perennial plantings and signage, creating a sense of community ownership and pride. Later, the tour passed by another great example of local tree action in Merrill Bridge Park where DECA Tree has been working to protect the new trees in the heavily used dog park.
As the tour came to an end in East Lynn Park, participants gathered to help mulch and water more than 16 trees. Some of the adopters even named their trees with fitting titles like “Tree-Rex” for a ginkgo (one of the world’s oldest living tree species) and “Coffee Crisp” for a lovely Kentucky coffeetree!
If you feel inspired to get involved with your local park and maybe even start an Adopt-a-Park-Tree program of your own, LEAF and Park People have a great resource to help you get started – The Adopt-a-Park Tree Manual!
You can also find out if your park already has a “Friends of” group through Park People’s website.
We have lots of people to thank!
Friends of Cedarvale, Friends of Norwood and DECA Tree for all of their time, energy and dedication!
Michaelle McLean and all the Friends of Trinity Bellwoods for inspiring the Adopt-a-Park-Tree program and manual!
The City of Toronto for providing woodchip mulch.
And Trees for Life and Ontario Power Generation for their generous support of LEAF’s Adopt-A- Park-Tree Program!.
Erin MacDonald is LEAF’s Volunteer and Stewardship Coordinator.