Hugging Big Trees

HUGGING BIG TREES
 September 13 & September 15

There is a lone white pine at the O’Hara Mill Conservation Area near Madoc that stands proud and tall along the edge of Deer Creek. It even rivals most of those to be found along the Big Pines Trail at Algonquin Provincial Park. It stands within a stone’s throw of the historic O’Hara saw mill, a lone survivor of the logging days when trees all around it were cut and skidded to the mill to be sawn into lumber. Whenever I lead hikes along that trail, I always pause and wonder what circumstances contributed to this tree being saved.

There are many such trees that capture one’s imagination. However, it isn’t necessary to drive to Madoc to find them; they can be found right in Prince Edward County, says Andy Margetson, Coordinator for the Prince Edward Stewardship Council. He says the Council is undertaking a program this year to identify heritage and noteworthy trees in the County, and is inviting the public to be involved.

“Did one of your grandparents plant a tree to commemorate the end of World War 1 that still survives, or plant a tree to commemorate another historical event? Do you know of a tree that is noteworthy for its age or size?” asks Margetson.

Under the Heritage Tree Program, any noteworthy tree, or grove of trees, can be nominated for recognition. These trees, subject to the agreement of the landowner, will be photographed and their locations mapped in a brochure so they can be found and admired by others.

Personally, I wouldn’t know where to begin. Would I nominate the lone sycamore tree on Babylon Road, a species common in southern Ontario, but rare in the Quinte area? What is the history behind its appearance, and one other that has since died, on Babylon Road at South Bay? Were they planted as their strategic placement along a roadside fence bottom suggests, or is there another story?

One of the oldest gingko trees in Ontario grows behind a residence on Picton’s East Main Street. Knowing how many years it has taken the individual in our backyard to grow 10 feet, this specimen must be at least 100 years old. Others can be found at Glenwood Cemetery. They are not a native tree in Prince Edward County, but seemingly, under the guidelines of the nomination process, this is not necessarily a criterium. A Heritage Tree or a Noteworthy Tree an be culturally significant, historically significant, unusual in Prince Edward County, noteworthy in age or size, or simply a treasured tree in the community. Certainly, one of the gingkos at Glenwood could fall under a few of those categories as it is a female tree. Most gingkos sold by nurseries end up being males, as the female of this China native bears fruit which produces a smell not unlike that of rancid butter.

There are many fine black walnut trees in Prince Edward County, stately specimens that tower above the roofs of homes, like the individuals on the front lawn of the Legion, likely there long before the Legion was even built, or the individual at Sandbanks Provincial Park. What stories these fine trees could tell, and their presence should indeed be recognized in some way, and this program is perhaps a good way to accomplish this.

The brochure that has been produced on this program and which can be used to nominate a favourite tree, requires such information as where your nominated tree is located, description of the habitat around the tree, species (if known), distance around the trunk, and an estimate of the height. Finally, a space is provided where you can take your pen and pour out your soul, and describe why you think this tree should be designated as a Heritage Tree. Nomination brochures are available across the county, at Gilmore’s Meats in Rossmore, Campbell’s Orchards in Rednersville, the post office in Carrying Place, Pierson’s IGA in Wellington, the Public Library at Consecon, Hillier House in Hillier, the Bloomfield Post Office, and at Hick’s Store in Milford. In Picton, forms can be obtained from the Regent Theatre, Robyn’s Nest Pet Store, Macaulay House, Picton Farm Supply, County Farm Centre and from the Royal Canadian Legion.

Margetson says that a panel will evaluate the nominations and select those most noteworthy. The winners will be announced and a guide will be published for the public wanting to see the winning trees.

The Prince Edward Stewardship Council’s brochure states that the Council’s purpose is to achieve and maintain, through voluntary efforts, a healthy and sustainable environment that will contribute toward the maintenance of the unique and natural and rural character of Prince Edward County. In that capacity, the Council strives to improve and sustain the long term health of our agricultural and natural resources, by developing relationships and partnerships in the community that help to service landowner needs. In addition, the Council promotes good land stewardship through education and initiatives such as the Heritage Tree Program.