Loyalist roots

Free tree planting along Loyalist Parkway

If you are a property owner along the Loyalist Parkway in the County, you could be eligible for a free tree planting this fall. In its ongoing mission to increase the amount of trees along Loyalist Parkway, the Loyalist Parkway Association is offering native tree planting at no cost to landowners along its route. The Association will supply and plant sugar maple or red oak saplings complete with mulch and stem protector to ensure a healthy start.

Large trees line Loyalist Parkway in this 1940s picturesque photo taken between Waring’s Corners and Picton.

“The landowner will have to undertake and provide water and weeding,” says Ted Davie, Chair of the Association. “This is particularly important in the initial year of the tree’s life to ensure that it will have a chance to get root systems well established.”

Davie went on to caution that the tree site must be clearly marked and to keep in mind the additional space for future plantings must be 35 feet apart.

The Association is recommending the planting of red oak as an alternative to maple. The oak is slower growing, but has great foliage in the fall. Oaks also resist disease and rot better than maples, and are less likely to need trimming and pruning in the long term. The small saplings have been chosen as opposed to the larger saplings for their better survival rate and ability to adapt to their environment. Having the new tree situated inside the property line will help prevent someone using it as a signpost, as well as avoiding any contact with in-ground utilities.

Applications must be by letter to Pat Heffernan, Acting Director of Operational Services, The Corporation of the County of Prince Edward or by email to pheffernan@pecounty.on.ca. Information required will be resident name, telephone number, address, email, 911 number and lot number if possible. The due date for applications is August 15. Planting will take place in September and October of 2019

In an earlier brief to council, Hillier councillor Ernie Margetson showed his support for this program, stating that the only requirements from the municipality would be to cooperate with the Loyalist Parkway Association and select locations for planting. The Association will take it from there, staking the locations, obtaining the plant stock and planting the trees. Margetson also noted that the Loyalist Parkway is split in the County between two jurisdictions, one municipal which covers 38 kilometres (Carrying Place to Bloomfield) and one still provincial that covers 14 kilometres (Bloomfield to Glenora) and the difference between the tree levels in the two is significant. Margetson is hoping that the County can take advantage of the up to 75 trees allotted for planting by the association this year and get a significant portion of those trees planted inside its borders.

“All we are looking for is some cooperation on this project from the County on where the trees should be planted. Considering the controversy recently regarding trees around the County being taken erroneously, it’s obvious that council is struggling with this. Here is a free program offering their complimentary services in the precise area where we are deficient. Council should recognize this and accept some help. It’s a win win situation,” says Margetson.

Margetson also stated in his brief that he, as the council representative on the Loyalist Parkway Association, was advised by Davie that his group has been attempting to plant trees along Loyalist Parkway in the County for three years now with no success. Davie relayed to Margetson that he is hoping for more engagement and cooperation from council this year and from operations staff. Considering this is a free program that will do nothing but benefit the County, both aesthetically and environmentally, both Margetson and Davie are hoping that residents will take advantage.