'Replacing not the same as increasing': Georgina's tree-planting efforts focus on replacing already removed ash trees

Town distributing limited number of tree seedlings, pollinator planting packs during the week of April 17

Yorkregion.com
April 17, 2023
Amanda Persico

A little less conversation and a little more action is needed to address climate change.

And one of the easiest things to do is plant a tree, said Georgina resident Hessel Pape.

“We all know the benefits of trees,” he said. “The environmental benefits are obvious.”

Those benefits include: absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen; preventing flood damage and erosion; and providing shade, habitat and food.

“And the list goes on,” Pape said.

With so much discussion about climate change, planting trees is a simple solution -- an actionable solution.

“Listening to the news, there’s so much concern over climate change. But very little actually seems to be done. We can’t just talk about it, we have to do something.

“The least anyone can do is plant a tree for future generations.”

Pape is calling on the town to increase its tree coverage at the grassroots level by creating a tree planting incentive to encourage each resident to plant a tree on his or her property.

“One tree won’t make that much of a difference, but if even half of the homeowners plant a tree, what a difference that will be.”

Pape hopes to see a resurgence of Arbor Day, the traditional day to celebrate and plant trees -- an annual reminder on the importance of trees.

And Pape hopes Georgina will be the tree planting leader of the region.

Currently, about 44 per cent of the town’s land surface is covered by treetops, said Georgina’s temporary forestry services supervisor James Pugh.

That’s up from about 39 per cent in 2005.

But there’s more to be done, Pape said.

There are plenty of public lands such as boulevards and roadsides that remain bare -- good places to start, he added.

Georgina plans to spend about $760,000 over the next three years to replace removed ash trees affected by emerald ash borer (EAB), said Pugh.

Ash trees -- on both public and private property -- amount to about 19 per cent of the town’s tree population.

“The replacement of ash trees is the primary focus for the $760,000,” Pugh added.

The town’s multi-phased ash tree removal program started in 2021 with all ash trees on municipal property to be removed by 2024.

To maintain a healthy tree canopy, the town’s EAB removal program also includes planting a variety of new native trees, but not all trees will be replaced.

Last year, the town planted about 250 new trees to replace the ash trees removed the year prior. About another 240 trees are to be planted this spring, Pugh said.

This is an opportunity for the town to increase its tree coverage beyond the one-to-one remove-replant ratio, Pape said.

“Replacing is not the same as increasing,” he said.

The Region of York offers several tree planting programs in partnership with local conservation authorities and Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF).

For those who own two or more acres, there’s Grow Your Legacy, a full-service tree planting program that offers funding assistance, planting and maintenance.

There’s also a do-it-yourself bulk seedling program available from the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA).

LEAF also has a series of backyard planting programs available to York region residents including full-service and DIY tree planting options, native shrub bundles and various native garden kits such as butterfly, pollinator, songbird, small-space, condo balcony and shade-thriving options.

The town secured about $2,500 in funding from the LSRCA for a series of tree planting events at local schools later this spring.

To mark Earth Day, the town is distributing a limited number of tree seedlings and pollinator planting packs at each Georgina public library during the week of April 17. Tree seedlings and planting packs will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.