National Tree Day In Orillia
By Gord Ball – Special to SUNonline/Orillia
National Tree Day will be celebrated across Canada on September 25th. Sustainable Orillia will join the City of Orillia with a goal to see many dozens of trees planted throughout Orillia and the surrounding area.
Some trees will be planted on City property and more will be given away, on a first-come first served basis, to area residents to plant on their own property. Print-outs will be available with planting instructions.
Thanks to financial support from Sustainable Orillia, trees are free (limited to one per household). Sustainable Orillia is a local, not-for-profit organization which depends on donations to offer its programs and events. Tree planting is one of those projects. As always, donations to Sustainable Orillia will be welcome.
On offer are a variety of native trees and shrubs that are 20 to 30” tall, hardy and low-maintenance. They are being sourced locally from a local grower, Stone Row Farm, located near Coldwater. Trees will include native species such as Sugar Maple, Red Oak, White Oak, Paperbirch, Staghorn Sumac, Eastern White Cedar, White Pine and American Hazelnut. Native shrubs will also be on offer, such as Common Ninebark, White Meadowsweet, Purple-flowered Raspberry and Red Osier Dogwood.
Interested residents are encouraged to place their orders (providing name, e-mail address, and desired species) by Sat. Sept. 21 with Matt Thomson at info@ardtreanature.ca. Trees will be available for pickup at York Street Park, opposite Samuel-de-Champlain Catholic Elementary School on Sat. Sept 28 from noon-2 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.
Tree planters reserving a tree are encouraged to complete a “service locate” prior to digging to prevent damaging or cutting cables, particularly if the location is on a street-front or a property side-line, they are encouraged to schedule a service locate prior to digging in their yard. Requesting a “locate” before digging a hole – at least five days in advance – is free, easy and it’s the law. Hitting gas, electric, or other high-pressure pipes and lines could have serious consequences. More information is available on conducting a locate from OntarioOneCall.ca or by phone at 1-800-400-2255.
Volunteers are required for planting trees on City property, currently planned for York Street Park. Contact Jay Fallis at jfallis@orillia.ca
Tree Planting Day celebrates trees and the value they add to our lives, our community and our planet. Trees clean the air we breathe, filter the water we drink, and provide habitat to over 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity. Forests provide jobs to over 1.6 billion people, absorb harmful carbon from the atmosphere, and are key ingredients in 25% of all medicines. Have you ever taken an Aspirin? It comes from the bark of a tree! And as a bonus – trees are beautiful!
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.
(Image Supplied) Main: Tree Planting Day in Orillia is September 28.
