This spring, volunteers with local group Communitreees gathered on two separate days to work on the Elora Cataract Trailway.
These volunteers continued the fourth year of a native tree and plant restoration project, focused on two sections of the trail near Fergus.
Both the work days, April 23 and May 3, were beautiful and sunny, organizers say.
All the rainy days following provided a good start to the trees, helping settle their roots into the soil of their permanent home on the trail.
On the two days volunteers carefully planted and mulched 110 new trees from Green Legacy, some species very highly rated for wildlife-value and adding further diversity.
Additions
Three new additions this year to the list of over 25 native species planted by Communitrees are hackberry trees, shagbark hickory and red pine.
Coordinator, Carolyn Crozier said the goal this year is to add 150 native trees and shrubs (some good-sized) to the trailway and to continue tending the over 200 trees the group has previously planted.
“Our songbirds will love this,” Crozier said.
“They rely so much on protein from our native insects, which thrive on our beautiful native trees.”
Native trees
Local hikers and cyclists seem to be noticing the thriving groves of young native trees, such as red oak and trembling aspen.
What may not be noticed is the critical removal work undertaken by an offshoot group of Communitrees.
Invasive species
That group is working to remove invasive aliens such as buckthorn from these sections of the trail, as it’s a serious threat to our native trees.
Contact
To participate contact Carolyn Crozier at ccrozier@wightman.ca
