“Kingsway Tree Haven: Our Majestic Oaks” was sponsored by LEAF, represented in the tour by Janet McKay, the Executive Director. Janet shared her expertise and enthusiasm for the urban forest with over sixty participants, including tips on preserving, planting and pruning throughout the walk and particularly at Stop 7, which addressed “How the Tree Canopy is Replenished”. Janet explained that the bottom branches of a young tree do not grow up as the tree develops but remain at the same height from the ground for the duration of the tree’s life. Lower branches can be pruned once the tree is larger and established.
LEAF has recognized and supported Kingsway Tree Preservation, a group organized in the fall of 2012 by myself and another local resident, Peter Foley. We had become concerned that mature oak trees in our neighbourhood were being jeopardized in favour of development. With input from many sources, we have created an infographic to encourage citizen involvement in tree issues. Peter shared the infographic at the conclusion of the walk. Citizen engagement in tree preservation is vital and we’re hoping to help people get involved. We will present the final infographic at a Kingsway Tree Preservation meeting in September.
Two of the tour stops were at trees that inspired Kingsway Tree Preservation and focused on concerns over development and landscaping practices that threaten the health and longevity of heritage oak trees. Another stop illustrated how a newly built home respected and maintained the existing mature trees, following in the tradition of Home Smith’s “green approach”. He was known for sending periodic newsletters suggesting planting trees and cedar hedges instead of fences and perennial borders.
The walk was a reminder of the fragility of this unique ecosystem of trees. Philip van Wassenaer of Urban Forest Innovations, a renowned arborist with special expertise regarding heritage trees, shared his insight and experience. He discussed “hardscaping”, a practice of paving over the ground. His forthright assessment of hardscaping made us all pause and reflect on the impact of compromising root systems, not only depriving them of water but also of air and nutrients. Often, this practice marks the beginning of the end for trees. Philip emphasized that the oak trees in the Kingsway area were here long before houses were built. Some of the oak trees, particularly the split-stemmed oaks, may have regenerated from roots as old as five hundred years, after the trees were first cut down back in the 18th century.
The sun shone down on “Kingsway Tree Haven’s” Jane’s Walk on Sunday. I hope that the energy and enthusiasm of the tour leaders and participants will continue. Citizens need to be informed and involved to ensure that we can continue to enjoy the majestic trees of this neighbourhood for the next 100 years.
Nancy is a gardener, artist and art educator. One of the founders of Kingsway Tree Preservation, she is on the Board of Arts Etobicoke, a member of the Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts and sits on the executive committee of Exploring Creativity in Depth. She is a long time resident of the Kingsway area and cares for two large mature trees.
This Tree Tours was supported by Mountain Equipment Coop.