It was a cold damp day as a community and student crew gathered on a wet overcast Saturday morning to plant trees. Although most would no doubt rather be back home in bed or sipping on a hot tea or coffee, this group of 15 volunteers were nontheless gathered at the corner of Tavistock Road and Henley Street. The group was made up of community residents and high school volunteers from West Carleton High School.They were here to expand the Elmhurst Woods Naturalization Area (an Urban Forest) between Elmhurst and Henley Streets by planting trees in a southeast corner of the area which had been groomed clear by the city for decades.

With grant approval issued in September, City staff and association member Henry Swiech set about organizing for the Saturday October 18 planting date. Tracey Schwets and Julie Jackson, Forestry Services Program Co-orinators from the city, arranged for the delivery of sugar and silver maple, white ash, and hackberry trees. Julie along with Tracy Beaulieu also directed and supervised the volunteers. Hot chocolate and refreshments were graciously provided by Loeb Lincoln Heights. Thanks to Manager, Dan Cashman

A total of 81 trees were planted in this phase 1 of the project. Although it will take several years of care and maintenance to ensure success, these trees will start giving back to our community next spring. If approved at the association’s Annual Meeting in November, a Phase 2 grant to continue the project will be applied for.

According to the Ottawa Forests Advisory Committee

Our forests make Ottawa a better place to live. Trees have been proven to:

1. Improve air quality by removing sulpher dioxide, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, ozone and trapping dust particles
2. Block UV rays
3. Cool our streets and houses in summer
4. Slow the wind
5. Reduce soil erosion and moderate surface runoff
6. Protect wildlife
7. Slow down traffic along streets
8. Improve our sense of well being
9. Increase property values

Courtesy of USDA Forest Service:

Trees can absorb carbon dioxide at the rate of 26 pounds per year – especially young trees that are still growing.

The evaporation from a single large tree can produce the cooling effect of 10 room size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day.