York Region ensuring new street trees thrive

Yorkregion.com
Oct. 22, 2015
By Lisa Queen

York Region is putting down roots, which is improving the health of trees planted along regional roads.

This year’s assessment of 3,100 newly planted trees showed 84 per cent are in satisfactory or good condition.

In 2003, only 29 per cent of new trees were in satisfactory or good condition due to factors such as poor soil and post-planting care.

The region took action and by 2010, 76 per cent of new trees were found to be in good condition.

By planting between 1,500 and 2,000 street trees along regional roads every year, the region has boosted the number of its street trees to more than 43,000, an increase of 29,000 trees.

A number of different technologies and approaches are used to ensure the trees are able to thrive, according to Georgina Councillor Danny Wheeler, chair of the region’s environmental services committee.

“In addition to their beauty, especially this time of year, trees help make our communities healthy,” he said.

Planting the right tree in the right location is key, the region said.

Top-performing local trees include the Kentucky coffee tree, honey locust and ivory silk lilac trees.

Recent studies estimate the urban forest in the south part of the region alone removes 923 tonnes of pollutants from the air a year, the region said.

“Trees are a valuable asset to our green infrastructure,” regional chairperson Wayne Emmerson said.