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
