Trees Ontario's Letter to the Editor in response to
The Star's September 22, 2010 article:
"One billion trees needed in southern Ontario"

RE: One billion trees needed in southern Ontario

September 23, 2010, Ontario - We planted a billion trees in the province once, and we can do it again. 

As noted in Environmental Commissioner, Gordon Miller’s annual report and Tanya Talaga’s article, “One billion trees needed in southern Ontario,” in order to achieve 30 per cent forest cover and a healthy ecosystem, we need to plant a billion trees in the province.  

These numbers seem daunting and unrealistic to obtain, don’t they? They shouldn’t.

Rewind a few decades and investigate annual tree planting rates. In the 1970s, 80s and even early 90s, 20-30 million trees a year were being planted on private rural lands. Total up tree planting rates from the 1920s to mid 90s and what do you get? A billion trees planted in the province of Ontario. A tree planting timeline and annual planting rates can be found here. 

It is true that past planting programs were heavily supported by government funding, which changed significantly with government cutbacks in the late 1990’s. As a result, planting rates dropped to as low as 2 million trees per year. 

However, Ontario’s overall tree planting infrastructure is now being re-established, and capacity on all fronts is growing. 

Trees Ontario, the largest not-for-profit tree planting partnership in North America, is helping to rebuild and grow afforestation programs in the province. The organization is the lead delivery agent for the Ontario government’s 50 Million Tree Program, which aims to plant 50 million trees by 2020. This commitment from the government is a significant step in supporting Ontario’s overall targets and if it wasn’t for this program other planting programs might be marginalized.

Financial contributions from individuals, corporations and small businesses supports Trees Ontario’s other tree planting programs and special projects, which have helped to plant close to a million trees per year. The organization is also helping to ensure appropriate native tree seed is identified, collected and available to grow stock to fulfill the needs of increasing planting programs. Its awareness campaigns are informing landowners about tree planting subsidy programs available to them. Plus training and educational opportunities for forestry professionals are being made available to ensure success of plantings.

What needs to be recognized with the need to plant a billion trees is that we can all support re-greening efforts - individually and collectively.  

This spring, Trees Ontario recognized the planting of 10 million trees under its programs since 2004. Its goal is to increase annual planting levels to 10 million trees a year, which is solely dependent on financial support. Increased individual, small business and corporate donations will further support our re-greening goals and the province’s efforts to reach 30 per cent forest cover.  

We can all be involved in growing tree planting programs and rates, that will in effect help us clean our air, restore our watersheds, re-establish wildlife habitat and buffer against the effects of climate change. Donate. Take part in a subsidy program. Plant native trees – the right species in the right locations for the right reasons. It’s all about our future and collective health,

We did it once and we can do it again.

Rob Keen, RPF

Acting CEO

Trees Ontario  

Trees Ontario was established in 1994 and is now the largest, not-for-profit tree planting partnership in North America.  The organization’s mission is to increase healthy forested landscape by providing financial, planning and technical training support for its tree planting partners.