Storm Followed by Green Side Up
June, 2007 – After a horrendous storm in July 2006 that destroyed a major portion of their large pine population and much property – but luckily caused no harm to people – residents of the Mattawa area east of North Bay have stepped up their tree planting efforts.
Since 1986, Green Side Up, Northern Ontario’s longest running community volunteer tree planting project, has planted close to 60,000 trees in and around Mattawa. While most of the trees planted 20 years ago are still in the understory, many are reaching heights that bring them into the intermediate canopy. Maturity in pines occurs when the trees are about 90 years old.
This spring, with the help of Trees Ontario Foundation, the group will add another 10,000 trees and 7,500 seedlings provided by Nipissing Forestry Consultants. On June 2, Green Side Up invited local resident to participate by planting a tree or two, perhaps in memory of a friend or loved one or to celebrate a new child in the family.
“I don't think anyone could guess how many trees were destroyed in the storm, but 17,500 won't be enough to replace them all,” Lise Reid, who works with Green Side Up, told the North Bay Nugget. “But this is just the first year we’re doing this, and hopefully we’ll continue every year and plant as many trees as we can.”
For more information about tree planting assistance, call 416-646-1193 or e-mail info@treesontario.on.ca
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