Update on Junction Adopt-a-Street-Tree Project
We are making good progress through the Junction Adopt-a-Street Tree Project! Compared to last summer, when no one had formally ‘adopted’ street trees in the Junction, now some 90 trees have been adopted. Those businesses or individuals adopting a street tree have committed to providing their adopted tree 2 deep waterings each week — i.e. 30 litres at a time, twice a week. Deep watering encourages the tree to send its roots down to seek water deeper in the soil, develop a hardier root structure, and therefore greater resilience.
Street trees are among the most vulnerable trees in our urban forest. Besides having to contend with a severely limited volume of soil, they contend with air pollution, debris obstructing the surface of the soil, compaction of soil, and very limited water. Even when it rains, we cannot presume that the rain reaches the limited patch of soil at the base of the tree; the tree canopy may deflect the water on to surrounding pavement and concrete, and the rain water may not reach the soil.
This link https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1IlpVUlEvqsp_wRAEJt9_XB1onwk&ll=43.66510969169625%2C-79.46552886830057&z=19
shows in green which trees have been adopted, in black which trees are yet to be removed, and in red those which have not yet been adopted. If you are able to adopt a tree, please contact: junctiontrees@gmail.com
Those who adopt a tree are eligible to receive a free watering can to water their adopted tree.
At this time, August 15, there are 41 trees which have not yet been adopted, 41 “orphan” trees. We have drawn up watering routes to assure the watering of these trees. The best times to water are early morning, and in the evening. If you are able to volunteer to help water these "orphan" trees, please contact: junctiontrees@gmail.com or leave a message at (416) 766 6331.
The drought of last summer resulted in 25% mortality of our Junction street trees. A recent “Neighbourwoods” assessment, conducted late July, indicated that:
62% of the trees showed good health
27% of the trees showed fair health
6% of the trees showed poor health
5% of the trees were dead, and have been reported to the City for replacement.
Your adoption of a street tree is really important as we try to improve the health of these trees, and with your care we will definitely have a positive impact on tree survival along our streets. Hopefully more of these trees will improve to “Good” in the next few years.
As a result of Junction Adopt-a-Street-Tree Project, and the fine collaboration of Green 13, LEAF, the Junction BIA, with the support of the City of Toronto and the Canadian Tree Fund, with the generous financial support of the Junction Residents’ Association and of the Toronto Field Naturalists, with the care by adopters who water diligently, and with the remarkable volunteers who come out to water “orphan” trees, we are in a much better position this summer as compared with last summer. Never again should we see 25% street tree mortality in the Junction. Community support and engagement benefits all of us - people, bees, birds,... our whole community -
The following watering tips are provided courtesy of LEAF, Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests:
When Should I Water?
Although it’s been a relatively wet summer, it’s important to remember that not all of that water is reaching your tree’s roots! A lot of the water ends up being intercepted by the leaves or runs off the pavement into the road before infiltrating into the soil. The standard watering twice a week with 30 litres of water per watering is the best schedule to go by, but to make sure your tree’s soil has the right amount of water, you can feel the soil around the base of the tree - if it is hot, and dry a couple centimeters down, the tree likely needs water. Trees with a larger volume of soil may require more than 30 litres of water at a time.
Happy watering!
