March 2011
Monthly Archive
March 26, 2011
Guelph Loves Trees 2007
GUFF announces the Guelph Loves Trees 2011 school challenge.
GUFF has issued a challenge to the public elementary schools in Guelph – take part in the Guelph Loves Trees 2011 competition for a chance to win a $500 award to your school’s library.
Using an entry form provided by GUFF, and distributed to teachers by the school librarian, students are invited to use words and images to convey the importance of protecting and planting trees in Guelph.
The $500 award will go to the school with the highest number of entries per student population and will be presented at a celebratory event to be held at 11a.m. at 10 Carden St. on Saturday April 23 to mark Earth Day.
Samples of the entries from each school will be on display at 10 Carden and students and their families, their teachers and the general public will be invited to enjoy the show. GUFF will also showcase the best entries at its public events in the coming year.
Guelph Loves Trees is an opportunity for students to be creative while learning more about trees and their value to the environment. Students are encouraged to draw and write about their favourite trees and parks and the benefits that these trees bring in terms of shade, shelter, clean air, water retention, and food for people and animals.
Guelph Loves Trees is one of several projects planned for 2011 by GUFF in recognition of the International Year of the Forest.
March 26, 2011
Resources for the Guelph Urban Forest Friends Guelph Loves Trees 2011 School Challenge:
Because the urban forest canopy of Guelph is well below the recommended 40% tree cover that will aid our ecological adaptation to the stress of climate change, GUFF supports awareness and action to remedy this situation. Native species are the best trees to withstand climate stress. Big trees can give us the added benefits of shade to reduce ‘the heat island effect’ of our city.
Some possible ideas for your theme or image to put within the circle:
- your favorite native tree or trees and their importance to you and Guelph
- how trees aid water quality
- your favorite park and its trees indicating why it is your favourite
- trees, their leaves and climate change
- the relationship between tree canopy and smog
A healthy tree canopy will include many different native trees including the following: Burr Oak, Shumard Oak, Chinquapin Oak, Red Oak, Sugar Maple, Silver Maple, Freeman Maple, Black Cherry, Black Walnut, Bitternut Hickory, American Beech, Paper Birch, Honey Locust, Blue Ash. Other Carolinian species for Guelph include the Tulip Tree and Kentucky Coffee Tree.
And for more diversity, some conifers: White Pine, Eastern White Cedar, Tamarack, White Spruce, Eastern Hemlock .
Some useful web references:
www.evergreen.ca/nativeplants/learn_more
www.treecanada.ca
www.grandriver.ca
www.ontariotrees.com
March 21, 2011
The talk on Heritage Trees – Preserving our Natural Roots by Edith George scheduled for March 23 has been postponed until May.
Heritage Trees – Preserving our Natural Roots by Edith George, Adviser to the Ontario Urban Forest Council and past Director of the Weston Historical Society.
Jack Radecki, past president of OUFC will also be present to explain the importance of heritage designation in supporting our heritage trees and Guelph’s history.
What is a Heritage Tree? and Why is it important to protect them?
We learn how a tree can be designated as “heritage”, using the toolkit produced by the Ontario Heritage Tree Alliance. Edith’s main focus is on how we can identify a tree’s historical and cultural significance. She uses one of her neighbourhood’s special red oaks as the example tree in her presentation.
Come out and enjoy the second of Guelph Urban Forest Friends special evenings, “The Trees in Our Life” for the 2011 International Year of the Forest.
March 21, 2011
Research into the interactions between old trees and their moss that harbours cyanobacteria, produces a combination that contributes to the long-term health of surrounding trees. They are somehow fertilizing the ecosystems around them.
Without the presence of these old trees, the health of the surrounding younger trees is degraded.
Read more about this interesting research HERE.
