Category: Trees

Tree discussions and other related material. There are lots of trees in the neighbourhood, and a fair amount of tree related conflict with development, which means quite a few posts are tree related. Not everything is Champlain Oaks Project, thus this more general tree category.

What tree should I plant in a small yard? – June 9

Date: Sun, 27 May 2018 10:07:56 -0400
From: DANIEL BUCKLES <dbuckles@sas2.net>

What tree should I plant in a small yard?

[Flowering Catalpa Tree in a Small Front Yard]

If you have thought about planting a tree in your yard but don’t know what options to consider, Saturday June 9 is your opportunity to pick the brain of Owen Clarkin, famed Ottawa tree specialist. Owen Clarkin and I are developing a decision-guide for site assessment and selecting the right tree for you. Make an appointment with us for Saturday June 9 between 1:30 and 5:00 pm (half hour intervals) and we will come by your house to walk you through the steps: What is the vision for your property, what are the notable attributes of candidate trees, what risks to consider, how to care for your tree as it grows?

We are particularly keen to talk with residents in new infill houses so we can see what is possible in very small yards.

Contact Daniel Buckles (Co-chair CPCA Environment Committee) for an appointment (dbuckles@sas2.net) or 613-722-8048.

Jane’s Walk about Local Oak Trees – May 6

Debra Huron writes:

Hug one of our community’s heritage bur oaks this weekend as part of the city’s annual Jane’s Walk. Here are details http://www.janeswalkottawa.ca/walks/19820

We will visit six majestic bur oak trees that will be coming into leaf. Learn how Champlain Park ‘hood has managed to get a provincial designation for these heritage trees—to date, the only such designations in Ottawa. Discuss and strategize on ways to ensure heritage trees and all our natural heritage are recognized by the City of Ottawa as it reviews its tree by-law in 2018.

Urban Tree Bylaw Meeting – March 3

From Daniel Buckles; main post is on the Environment Committee web site at https://urbanforestgreenspaces.wordpress.com/2018/02/25/urban-tree-conservation-by-law-review/

Come to a community meeting to develop and discuss citizen-led changes to the Urban Tree Conservation By-law.

[Protected Tree Bylaw Sign]

This by-law is important because it seeks to conserve larger trees on private property in the urban core. The City of Ottawa is undertaking a review of the bylaw this year. The meeting will provide residents with an opportunity to formulate ideas on how this by-law can better meet its objectives.
Continue reading “Urban Tree Bylaw Meeting – March 3” →

Benefits of our Forest

From: DANIEL BUCKLES <dbuckles@sas2.net>
Date: Thu, 08 Feb 2018 07:03:32 -0500

Just three blocks of trees in Champlain Park bring an annual flow of financial benefits to residents of $41,924 (using the USDA Forestry Services i-Tree benefits calculator). Imagine the flow of benefits of all the trees in the neighbourhood!

The Neighbourwoods in Champlain Park tree inventory has produced two interesting infographics, showing the size and diversity of trees, and the financial benefits to residents in the form of energy saved, storm water filtered, air quality improved, and carbon stored. Check it out, and save by saving our trees!

[Tree Mapping Poster of our Neighbourhood]

Heritage Trees

From: Debra Huron <debra@debrahuron.com>
Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2017 16:16:10 -0500

From Daniel Buckles via Champlain Oaks website http://www.champlainoaks.com/2017/11/calling-all-heritage-trees/

Calling all heritage trees

[Oak Tree between the SJAM Parkway roads]On the heels of September’s ceremony to honour heritage trees in Ottawa, Forests Ontario has confirmed that it can list more bur oaks from this neighbourhood in its provincial registry.

The deadline for nominating a tree to Forests Ontario’s heritage tree program is December 31, 2017.
Continue reading “Heritage Trees” →

Tree Walk – October 15

BIG TREES of Kitchissippi is hosting two outdoor walking events. Celebrate the season and our big trees by learning more, talking to experts, and meeting other tree enthusiasts.

October 15, 2017 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. – Champlain Park Tree Walk – Meet at Champlain Park fieldhouse, 149 Cowley Ave. Focus on Heritage Oaks.

October 22, 2017 1:30 to 3:30 pm – Hampton Park Tree Walk – Meet near the wading pool, at the parking lot off Parkview Road, which can only be accessed from Kirkwood Avenue, via either Buell St. or Sebring Ave. Led by forest therapy guide Andrea Prazmowski, with master tree identifier Owen Clarkin.
Continue reading “Tree Walk – October 15” →

Local Woods Biodiversity Report – October 12

Come hear about the results of a U of Ottawa study on the biodiversity of the NCC-Champlain Woods, and findings from our community mapping exercise Neighbourwoods in Champlain Park. You are cordially invited to a meeting of the Environment Committee on Thursday, October 12 at 7:15 PM till 8:30 PM, to be held at the park Field House on Cowley Avenue. We will discuss these and other activities of the Environment Committee, and seek your ideas for other environmental initiatives you may wish to develop.
Continue reading “Local Woods Biodiversity Report – October 12” →

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/