Trees – Neighbours on St. George Street West in Fergus have put their money where their mouths are. After trying unsuccessfully to save a 100-year old tree on the street over the summer, Penny O’Donnell, pictured here with her husband John Little, initiated a drive to replace the grand old sugar maple with two mature trees and two other couples, Daniela Senkl and Graham Warren, and Lisa and Frank Lucchesse pitched in.
Centre Wellington Township was prepared to plant two replacement trees, but neighbours collected about $750 and the township will contribute the same for more expensive but mature trees.
On Oct. 28, a red oak, above, was planted on the boulevard beside the Fergus Curling Club and a sugar maple across the street, beside where the old tree once stood.
“So there’s a happy ending to this story,” O’Donnell said. “Yes, we paid our own money, but now there are two trees that are at least 10 years old. We care about this neighbourhood. It was worth it to us.”
