Fortunately, I took LEAF’s Tree Tenders Volunteer Training in 2006, which gave me the ability to share tree knowledge and galvanize people in my community to do something about our diminished canopy.
For starters, many people in my neighbourhood were not aware of all the benefits that trees provide, or that you can get a tree for your front yard through the City’s free street tree program. So my first tree-planting initiative was to garner a couple dozen small front yard trees. Those trees inspired even more neighbours to plant trees - but this time they footed the bill to plant large-caliper native trees that reached to the roofs! Over the next few years we added approximately 35 trees to our local park. We also added gardens and a pergola with seating, making a fantastic community hub for activity.
In 2012 we started the Pocket Tree Project, modelled after the Leslieville Riverdale Tree Project, and it has been a great success. After losing many more trees from age, disease and insects (with more marked to come down soon), we decided it was time for another major push. Door-to-door canvassing, posters and flyers netted the area 75 new front yard and boulevard plantings including 5 more large-calliper trees.
We decided large-caliper trees were worth the extra money because we wanted to get our canopy back as quickly as possible. As a result, in just 7 years we have trees already above rooflines. As a homeowner in my fifties, time is of the essence if I want to enjoy the fruits of our plantings!
With funds from our Community Association, we will be posting signs along tree bases this spring to let people know how it all came about. This will increase the visibility of the project and hopefully get even more trees planted!
The work is ongoing but the conversation has started and we are seeing great local pride in our neighbourhood and the environment we live in. Go LEAF Go!
If you’d like to help the trees in your neighbourhood, try LEAF’s Tree Tenders Volunteer Training Program this spring!
Jeff is a firefighter working and living in Toronto in the Pocket area of Riverdale. A Tree Tender since 2006, he has helped oversee the planting of over 35 trees in his local park as well as over 100 front yard trees.
The Tree Tenders Volunteer Training Program is supported by Ontario Power Generation's Biodiversity Program and York Region.