[CANUFNET] Tree Planting Programs

Fri Nov 8 10:13:30 EST 2019

Good morning.  Sorry for the late reply on this.  The City of Richmond Hill supports several tree programs that provide access for residents to native trees and plants for their own private properties as well as community tree plantings on public lands:

Through the Community Stewardship Program<https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/things-to-do/Community-Stewardship-Program-and-Tree-Planting.aspx> (established 1998 - funding by operating) staff work with agencies and community volunteers to improve the local environment on public land through activities such as tree planting, natural area stewardship, and stream restoration.  To support this work we also have a tree planting monitoring and maintenance program which involves capturing baseline data and then going back to visit 2 and 5 years after the planting.  Information collected is used to inform maintenance and stewardship such as watering, mulching and pulling weeds.

Through our Healthy Yards Program<https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/find-or-learn-about/Trees-and-Yards-Healthy-Yards.aspx?_mid_=284> we offer residents the opportunity to purchase native trees, shrubs, and perennial flowers at a subsidized rate.  Plants are pre-ordered through Shopify in the spring and distributed at the City's Public Works open house in May.  We also sell rain barrels and composters at the event and give out free wood chips.

Through a partnership between Richmond Hill, York Region and LEAF (Local Enhancement And Appreciation Of Forests), residents can also purchase trees through LEAF's Backyard Tree Planting Program<https://www.yourleaf.org/homeowners>. The program offers subsidized tree services for private yards and includes onsite consultation with an arborist and full tree planting services.

Lastly, we also have a tree dedication program called "Celebration Forest" which provides residents with the opportunity to have a native tree planted in honour/memoriam of a loved one at a local conservation area called Phyllis Rawlinson Park<https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/things-to-do/Phyllis-Rawlinson-Park.aspx>.

Ann Marie

________________________________________________________________

Ann Marie Farrugia, B.E.S., MA.Sc., ISA, EP

Manager of Natural Environment

Corporate Asset Management & Environment Services  |  Environment & Infrastructure Services

905-771-5509 |  annmarie.farrugia at richmondhill.ca |    RichmondHill.ca

-----Original Message-----
From: CANUFNET <canufnet-bounces at list.web.net> On Behalf Of Julian Dunster via CANUFNET
Sent: November 7, 2019 12:27 PM
To: canufnet at list.web.net
Cc: Julian Dunster <jadunster at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] Tree Planting Programs

It is good to see the many planting initiates underway. It would be

useful to know how many of these include a capital budget for :

a) ensuring the trees get properly established ( so, say a 4-5 year

watering and weeding protocol) and

b) what the actual survival rates are.

Over the past few decades I have seen many well intentioned tree

planting schemes attracting headlines. Far fewer actually succeeded in

creating long term tree canopy. It is an ongoing issue.

Many of my municipal colleagues bemoan the waste of money as they plant

trees but have no budget to water them or maintain them in the years

after planting, and so the initial capital investment is largely wasted.

Out here on the west coast, summer drought is now our new reality and

watering restrictions are commonplace, and even when not enforced,

watering is expensive. On some sites I am finding it hard to locate

anyone who can water trees well -  as opposed to simply dumping x

gallons of water on the ground and assuming it will work.  I also find

that gator bags have very variable success. Just because they are there

does not automatically mean they work. They need filling regularly, and

they need maintenance. I am seeing a lot of case where they encourage

moulds / fungi and insect when placed too close to the tree trunk, and

other cases where ants seem to love the moisture but plug the drains

holes with mud.

How many of you have a capital budget to ensure planting success?

What is the percentage  failure rate of the trees planted?

jd

On Behalf of Dunster and Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd.

Dr. Julian A Dunster R.P.F., R.P.P.., M.C.I.P., ISA Certified Arborist,

ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist # 378,

ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified

Honourary Life Member ISA + PNWISA

North American distributor for Rinntech

www.dunster.ca<http://www.dunster.ca>

www.treelaw.info<http://www.treelaw.info>

www.rinntech.info<http://www.rinntech.info>

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