Trees Across Toronto planting event where every tree counts

TORONTO, April 26, 2014 /CNW/ - Councillor Chin Lee (Ward 41 Scarborough-Rouge River) and City staff joined members of the community to plant approximately 2,600 trees and shrubs as part of the Trees Across Toronto program. At Milliken Park were representatives from Lomco Landscape Contractors, HSBC Bank Canada, Toronto Parking Authority, Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation, and Enbridge Gas Distribution, along with approximately 2,000 volunteers for the Trees Across Toronto annual tree planting event.

"Trees are one of the most important features of our natural environment. As citizens of Toronto, it is our responsibility to protect, maintain and grow our urban forest canopy," said Mayor Ford. "Trees Across Toronto is a splendid example of corporate sponsors, City staff and the community working together to show our commitment to environmental stewardship.

Today, hundreds of volunteers at Milliken Park planted over 1,800 native trees and shrubs. At Newtonbrook Park, the other Trees Across Toronto planting site, volunteers planted 800 more for a total of over 2,600 native trees and shrubs.

"Once again, Torontonians have stepped up their commitment to environmental stewardship of our urban canopy. Since 1999, approximately 240,465 trees have been planted through the volunteer planting," said Councillor Lee. "By volunteering their time and efforts to plant trees today, Torontonians have exercised their green thumbs to increase our urban forest and enhance our natural urban spaces."

result in a significant reduction of the tree canopy.
The devastation of trees caused by the ice storm of 2013, Emerald Ash Borer infestation and other causes of ongoing tree mortality make it important to plant more treesthe likelihood that Toronto will be invaded by other forest pests, . Toronto has approximately 860,000 ash trees and it is expected that the Emerald Ash Borer will kill most of them by 2017. The volunteers who attended today's event contributed to counteracting the effects of the Emerald Ash Borer by reducing the likelihood that Toronto will be invaded by other forest pests.

Anyone who missed today's planting event is invited to plant a tree on their own property or consult the Green Toronto website for additional planting events hosted by the City of Toronto this spring. Over 60 per cent of the urban forest is on private property. It is crucial that residents plant trees on public and private property if Toronto is going to protect and nurture its urban forest. Every tree counts.

Toronto's urban forest contributes significantly to Toronto's livability. When you plant a tree, you are contributing to making Toronto a green and healthy city.

More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/engagement/tat.

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

SOURCE: City of Toronto

Media contact:Parks, Forestry and Recreation media line, 416-560-8726, [email protected]