Tree-planting and harvesting

Tree Planting and Harvesting Ideas

Your congregation can contribute to your local community and the climate by planting native trees at your place of worship or on your personal property, or by participating in local community tree-planting events.

Many regions have local initiatives for tree-planting.Her e are a few programs we have heard about:

The Trees Ontario 50 Million Trees Program subsidizes about 80% of the cost of tree-planting on private land. The funding comes through the Ministry of Natural Resources as the Ontario provincial government honours its commitment to the Kyoto Protocol. There is secure funding for the next five years and the program is intended to plant about 3 million trees per year until 2025. Landowners must have at least 2.5 acres (1 hectare) of plantable open land and commit to look after the trees for 15 years. The minimum cost is 15 cents per tree or $120 per acre, although this price varies with tree species and with the agency doing the actual planting. (For comparison, the cost of tree seedlings alone would be nearly $400 per acre). The delivery agent does the paperwork, buys the seedlings, plants the trees, controls vegetation, does 3 check-ups. Thanks to Eleanor Reed, Registered Professional Forester, Lands & Forests Consulting for this information.

Toronto’s LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) program offers a subsidized backyard tree-planting service and information on native tree species; they have lists of native trees available and also offer special events relating to tree planting.

The Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation works with local groups to enhance public green space.

ReForest London has a Million Tree Challenge and also offers tree sales as gifts and vouchers.

Tree Ottawa asks you to plant, protect, and promote urban trees.

Many municipalities offer funding for urban tree-planting and canopy protection.

Fruit and Nut Trees

Ottawa’s Hidden Harvest encourages the planting and harvesting of urban food-bearing trees. On the planting side, those with land are able to purchase trees for planting, and those without land are able to donate trees for planting in schools, community spaces, and housing projects. The group is also locating fruit- and nut-bearing trees and getting permission for volunteer harvesters to collect and process the food, sharing it amongst the land-owners, volunteers, and community food banks. They also teach workshops on harvesting and processing fruit and nuts.

Other communities with similar organizations:

• Toronto (Not Far From The Tree)
• Vancouver (Vancouver Fruit Tree Project Society).

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