Category: Environment

Legacy Trees Carry on Forest Genes

(longer version with photos at http://www.champlainoaks.com/2017/09/legacy-trees-carry-on-forest-genes/)

Discovering the family story DNA can tell reminds us of just how diverse genetic roots can be in a human life. Farmers know that the genetic variations within wheat, corn, millets and other food plants hold the key to disease resistance and future food security.

The same value comes from keeping forest genes going. The genes of the bur oaks honoured in Champlain Park on National Tree Day are an unbroken genetic code from the end of the last Ice Age 10,000 years ago. Over multiple generations, the cycle of acorn to mature tree has repeated itself in our neighbourhood over and over again. Along the way, the offspring adapted to the thin soils, dry spells and periodic flooding of the Ottawa River shoreline between Chaudière Falls and Des Chênes Rapids. More recently, they adapted to life in the city.
Continue reading “Legacy Trees Carry on Forest Genes” →

Forest Tree Watering

Daniel Buckles writes:

Water a baby tree: if you are planning to take a walk in the neighbourhood woods (NCC area), take water with you to water one of the small recently planted trees. They need it.

Daniel Buckles, PhD.
SAS2 Dialogue
New email: Dbuckles@sas2.net
http://www.sas2.net/

Bur Oaks to Receive Heritage Status – September 27

Daniel Buckles writes:

On National Tree Day (Wednesday, September 27) Forests Ontario will be at the Steve and Kay Kot house (124 Cowley) at 10 AM to announce the induction of four “Champlain Oaks” into the provincial Heritage Tree program. Three other trees (on Keyworth and Daniel Ave) are also being acknowledged in the Heritage Tree Program.

Here is a link to the Champlain Oaks announcement and profiles of 4 trees that will receive heritage status from Forests Ontario on National Tree Day 2017. http://www.champlainoaks.com/2017/09/forests-ontario-to-honour-bur-oaks-as-heritage-trees/

Join us to celebrate trees and the natural heritage of our community.

Champlain Oaks Available for Planting

Daniel Buckles writes:

I have a small number of Bur Oak saplings grown from seed of the oldest and biggest trees in our neighbourhood. The saplings are direct descendants from the ancient oak forest viewed by Champlain in 1613 and that lined the Ottawa River following the last great Ice Age. Contact me if you have a plantable spot and would like to establish one of these trees.

Daniel Buckles, 613-722-8048.

Trees in the Neighbourhood and BIG TREES Website

From: Debra Huron <debra@debrahuron.com>
Subject: Trees in the neighbourhood and BIG TREES website
Date: Mon, 10 Jul 2017 10:53:59 -0400

The most recent edition of the Kitchissippi Times featured an article about Neighbourwoods, which is a tree mapping project that began last summer in Champlain Park. Written by Andrea Prazmowski, it includes interviews with Catherine Shearer of Cowley Ave. and Daniel Buckles of Daniel Ave.

Another article in the same edition was written by Daniel Buckles and is titled How Can I Protect Trees in my Neighbourhood?

The ward-wide group that has taken on protection of mature trees now has a home one the web with a new website for BIG TREES of Kitchissippi. The same group is also active on Facebook.
Continue reading “Trees in the Neighbourhood and BIG TREES Website” →

Pontiac Depaving Park Expansion Update

Seen in councillor Jeff Leiper’s Kitchissippi Ward Newsletter #100:

Pontiac closure

We are finally in a position to begin closing off the portion of Pontiac between Cowley and Carleton to car traffic after months of discussions with the City. Sometime in early July, planters will go in to block off the road and we’ll work with the NCC to bring down their fence quickly after to join the NCC and City parks. It’s still uncertain when we can de-pave the stretch, and we’re working with the community association on that, as well as some parking restrictions in the area to deal with Tunney’s Pasture parkers.

Urban Forest Management Plan going to Committee

Subject: Fwd: UFMP Report Available today!
Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2017 01:56:36 -0400
From: Heather Pearl <hpearl2012@gmail.com>

Hi all.  I have been working on the Urban Forest Management Plan for the past couple of years, representing the the FCA.  Here’s the result of the labours of many people, and in particular of Martha Copestake, City Forester Extraordinaire:

  • The Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) will be presented to the Environment and Climate Protection Committee on Tuesday, June 20th.
  • The agenda and associated staff reports for that meeting are now available on the City’s website. The UFMP is the third item on the agenda.
  • The staff report outlining the UFMP project is on the Agenda. The Final UFMP is attached as Document 1 to that report.
  • The final UFMP can also be found at the project website www.ottawa.ca/urbanforest, along with links to the formal submissions under the heading Phase 2, Public consultation.
  • The public is welcome to attend the Environment and Climate Protection Committee Meeting and comment on the UFMP. You may also submit comments in writing to the Committee Coordinator, Christopher Zwierzchowski.
  • If the UFMP is approved at Committee, it will go to Council on June 28th.

Attached are fact boxes created by the graphics team on the benefits of urban trees.  We have been invited to use these to help promote the UFMP through our web site and other other social media outlets (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) and to share them widely with our networks and contacts.

Heather

2017 06 13 draft UFMP to ECP Cttee Ottawa.pdf
2017 06 13 draft UFMP.pdf



Continue reading “Urban Forest Management Plan going to Committee” →

Neighbourwoods in Champlain Park – June 10

Spring has finally arrived and the leaves on the trees have come out enough so we can identify the trees and we can once again build the NeighbourWoods survey/inventory. This process will help the community learn about the wonderful resource we have, and the many benefits the urban canopy bring to the neighbourhood.
Continue reading “Neighbourwoods in Champlain Park – June 10” →