Perth's first Elder Tree Care Event Day was very successful!

Saturday, the 12th of July 2025 was the first of what we hope will be an annual event to bring care and attention to the many mature (aka "Elder") trees that grace Perth's parks, streets and gardens.  A relatively small, but very enthusiastic, group of tree lovers were treated to a morning full of activities that raised the awareness of how important trees are to the environment but also to the quality of life of people who not only admire the many varieties of trees but gain true health and soul benefits from these champions of nature. The morning's events began at the bandstand where Perth's Town Crier, Brent McLaren, called us together with a bit of background history.

Perth's Mayor, Judy Brown, gives the opening address with Town Crier behind her.

We next gathered on the west side of the footbridge where a silver maple tree was given some TLC by Tobias Effinger, the arborist brought in by Tree Trust Canada, the organizer of the event.

To the right can be shown the silver maple tree that received the care with another silver maple on the opposite side of the footbridge.

Tobias explaining how a CT scan of the tree had shown some rot that he believed would not be fatal

Our third station was on the western side of Stewart Park where Ashley Cochrane, of North 44 Landscape Design,  planted a serviceberry tree with the help of her husband and a company employee. North 44 very kindly contributed a portion of the cost of the tree that should be a very attractive addition to the park's tree canopy in all seasons.

The fourth station was located at the tiny open air stage near the magnificent old elm tree on Mill Street. Here Professor Pricklethorn delivered a marvelous program "For Children of All Ages"  that described the beauty and benefits of trees in a hilarious but very informative manner. He engaged members of the audience to be his assistants and displayed a scroll of tree fruits, nuts and syrups that was as tall as the professor himself!

The fifth and final station began at the "Grand Old Lady Elm" (any name suggestions?) but spread out across the park as Braedon Witt of Tree Trust Canada led interested people around on a tree inventory tour. To the right can be found a satellite view of the the five station locations (number 6 being the refreshment station) with a view of the elm at far right.