Busy time for Dundas Valley Tree Keepers

It was time for the Dundas Valley Tree Keepers to finally present results of last summer's tree survey to the community. The volunteers - some of whom took part in last summer's Trees Count program - have been so busy putting on public education events, that they hadn't had time to reflect on the information they gathered last year.

At the end of May, the group hosted an event called "How are our Trees Doing?" The results proved interesting: nearly half of the trees surveyed were Maples, the majority being the non-native Norway Maple, considered to be a weed tree because it is fast-growing, invasive and inhibits the growth of native species.

The predominance of one species however has greater implications because if historic Dundas is hit with a disease that targets Maple trees, a large part of the urban canopy would be lost.

Other findings in the 92-page report included detailed information on the trees that were surveyed (in a section of Dundas that includes the Dundas Driving Park, and the historic area covered by Cross, Park, Sydenham, Albert, Queen, Alma, Elgin, Melville and Victoria Streets.) The inventory is designed and data interpreted by staff the University of Toronto Faculty of Forestry. They calculated that the value of the 1,169 trees surveyed was $3,851,379. This was based on replacement cost, size, species, location and current condition.

This figure does not include the important non-monetary role trees play, such as protecting homes from wind gusts, offering shade and home to urban wildlife – as well as the aesthetic pleasure people get from simply looking at them!

Some Trees Count results were posted on display at the talk so homeowners whose yards had been surveyed could check on details about their trees. The group is hoping to have copies of the report available to residents through the library and town hall in Dundas.

An exciting upcoming event will be the first Guided Heritage Landscape and House tour, led by two of the Tree Keepers – Ann Gillespie (a heritage building expert) and Bill Kennedy (well-known locally for his knowledge about trees).

This will be the first heritage tree and building walking tour ever! The walk will be on Sunday June 8 at 2pm, meeting at the parking lot of St Paul's Church, on Park Street in Dundas. Call 905-627-5410 for more information.