To Tree Lovers Everywhere...

There has been little to no rain this summer. As a result, quite a few of the saplings that OPT planted are getting thirsty and in need of some tender loving care. But we do not have enough volunteers to help with the task. 

Are you willing and able to volunteer a couple of hours a week to help us out? If so, tell us which days/times are most convenient for you and which parks you would prefer to work in? This will help in planning a schedule so each park has its regular time slot. Some of the bigger parks, like the Wildlife Reserve, might need one big event, with lots of volunteers, but afterwards watering can be done by a two person team, on a two week shift, one day each week. We need at least two people per team as nobody should work alone.

The parks OPT looks after are: Last Duel Park, Wildlife Reserve, Darou Farm, Daines Place (off Drummond) Scott's Park (off Roberts) and Conlon Farm. The elms we helped plant in Stewart Park are cared for by the Town but we need volunteers to brush Japanese beetles off the leaves.

Please contact ourperthtrees@gmail.com if you are able to help in any way.

It Takes A Forest To Save A Village

After the devastating wildfires of 2023 in Behchokǫ̀ , Tłı̨chǫ community members collected seeds from the surrounding forest. Those seeds have grown into 750,000 seedlings. They are being planted across the Northwest Territories and the trees will create a natural fire break that will help to protect the community for generations to come. Youth and elders are working side by side, developing local capacity and sharing traditional knowledge that will sustain their forests long into the future.

Growing Green Cities

Growing Green Cities: A Practical Guide to Urban Forestry in Canada is a comprehensive, evidence-based resource designed to support anyone involved in building healthier, greener, and more sustainable urban environments across Canada. This guide synthesizes leading practices and the latest academic research to support municipalities, nonprofits, and professionals in making informed decisions on how best to manage resilient and equitable urban forests. To view a copy,  http://bit.ly/45EBXh8. 

National Tree Day 2025

According to Tree Canada, it's never too early to start planning for National Tree Day coming up on September 24 & 27. For a trunkload of tips and ideas, simply download the National Tree Day toolkit. https://treecanada.ca/ntd-toolkit/?

And The Winner Is...

In a two-month competition,  people across Ontario were invited to submit a photo of a much-loved tree with a few words about it.

And A majestic White Elm gracing Perth’s Stewart Park took third place. Here's the whole story, https://treetrust.ca/tree-pageant-2/

Further to this story Our Perth Trees has started talks with Tree Trust Canada (the competition organizers) that may see Tree Trust return to Perth in 2025 for a Tree Care Day that would bring some much needed TLC to this beloved old tree in a happy community gathering of interested people. Please click on this link for more information: Tree Care Day 2025

Proof of the Power of Partnerships

Tree Canada has partnered with the sməlqmix (Lower Similkameen Indian Band), Corvidae Environmental Consulting, Cariboo Carbon Solutions, Little Symphony, Ecojustice, and Wakefield to reforest land that was destroyed in 2023 by record-setting wildfires. Through Tree Canada's National Greening Program, this multi-year initiative will restore approximately 540 hectares of forest—an area larger than Vancouver’s Stanley Park—by planting 840,000 trees by 2026. These will include native species such as Douglas fir, Western larch, and black cottonwood, as well as fruit-bearing shrubs such as Shepherdia canadensis aka Buffaloberry. 

How To Love A Tree

According to the blog Kindercare, there are 8 ways to love the trees in your life. Did you know? Well, here you go. Check out Taken By Trees...https://bit.ly/3Z5wOwK.

Mini Forest Training

Green Communities Canada is providing this training curriculum to build an understanding of how to coordinate a Mini Forest project and to support new coordinators through their first Mini Forest event. To enrol, https://bit.ly/4g7koud.

Memory Trees

Now you can plant a tree as a living memorial for someone. These memorial trees will be planted in areas where there is a need for reforestation or afforestation. Multiple trees can be dedicated. Plus your memorial gift includes a mailed commemorative card that can be personalized with a message of sympathy. For more information visit A Living Tribute, https://bit.ly/3AHZmlZ.

Australian Environmental Laws Fall Short 

According to the University of Queensland research, Australia's environmental laws are failing to stop high rates of tree clearing to make way for agriculture, development and mining. To read more,  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240820221806.htm .

The Tree Population is Growing

Did you know the biggest driver for global tree growth is climate change? According to a report from the World Resources Institute, trees are now able to take root in otherwise 'inhospitable' regions such as deserts and urban areas. As a result, there are more trees now than there were 30 years ago. For more on this study, http://bit.ly/3ZonpRc .

For Trees' Sake

Read about a couple who are cycling across Canada in the name of reforestation.  They want to help fight climate change, protect biodiversity and, most importantly, raise awareness about the importance of forests.  Follow their bike trip (and donate to their cause) at www.greenbikes.com.

Trees Can Save Your Life

A study by the University of Louisville has found that people living in neighbourhoods where the number of trees and shrubs has more than doubled showed lower levels of a blood marker that causes heart disease, cancer and other chronic illnesses. Check it out at https://bit.ly/4dfUrGn.

All Along The Highway...

Trees for Life has partnered with the 407 ETR to plant 20,000 trees within the 407 corridor and to eradicate invasive plant species . 

For the full story, https://bit.ly/3MW4tl7.

How To Plant A Tree

We know you love trees. Who woodn't? (hehe). And Tree Canada has produced a guide to help you plant trees that thrive. Learn more at https://bit.ly/4eDQXi5.

Smiths Falls' First Mini Forest

Residents of Smiths Falls, Ontario, including local public school students, planted the town's first mini forest within a week on land provided by the town. Find out how it was done, https://bit.ly/4dILIfZ .

So You Want To Make A Difference

The Northwest Territories has done exactly that. Partnering with Tree Canada and Let's Plant Trees, they plan on combating climate change, among other things, by planting one million trees. Here's how https://bit.ly/3D2r924

The Leaves In A Book...what you might want to read

The Hidden Life Of Trees. According to author Peter Wohlleben, the forest is a "social network" and he looks at how that works.

Your Trees: What They Want You To Know. Tree whisperer Kevin R. Lee explains what trees need for healthy growth and what natural chemical-free ways help them thrive.

How To Be More Tree: Essential Life Lessons for Perennial Happiness.  Author Potter Gift explores the wisdom of trees and what they can teach us about everyday life. 

Our Green Hearts: The Soul and Science of Forests. Diana Beresford-Kroeger reminds us that the "only way out of this mess we have made is to protect the forest." And she shows us how.

How to Identify a Tree Without Looking Up

Adam Haritan, an American arborist, describes how to identify trees in a forest by studying the ground under them. Check out his video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hkw7pyuzhCQ.

Tree Species at Risk