MEDIA ADVISORY (May 22, 2018) On Saturday, June 2, the Town of Fort Erie will be giving away maturing trees to Fort Erie residents. The maturing trees will be handed out in the Leisureplex Parking Lot (3 Municipal Centre Drive, Fort Erie) from 9 a.m. to noon while supplies last (one tree per residence).
The Town will be handing out 600 maturing trees about 3 to 4 feet tall. Residents will have the choice between seven different tree species: cottonwood, red maple, sugar maple, silver maple, tulip, red oak and linden. Since the height and maintenance of each tree species can vary, experts will be onsite to help answer questions and provide advice including Town arborists as well as members from the Fort Erie Horticultural Society, Bert Miller Nature Club and Friends of Fort Erie’s Creeks.
The trees will be available in pots and will fit in the backseat of a car. All residents leaving with a tree will be given instructions on how to plant and care for the tree. This initiative is part of the Town’s replanting program. The trees will be provided free of charge; however, a bin will be available onsite for voluntary, non-perishable donations in support of COPE.
For more information, please contact Sean Hutton, Parks and Facilities Manager, at shutton@forterie.ca or 905-871-1600, ext. 2430.
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Can these trees be planted on town property wher my ash trees were removed or will the town be replanting these?
Hi Linda – Thanks for contacting us. You are able to plant one of these trees on Town property to replace the one that was removed. However, if the tree that was removed was located close to the road, you may want to contact the Town and ask to have the tree replaced by the Town. The reason being is that the trees we will be giving away are smaller and less mature than the ones we would plant close to a road due to exposure of road salt in the winter. The more mature trees that the Town would plant are less vulnerable to the exposure. If you are interested in having your tree replaced by the Town, please contact Sean Hutton, Parks and Facilities Manager at shutton@forterie.ca.
What kind of trees
Residents will have the choice between seven different tree species: cottonwood, red maple, sugar maple, silver maple, tulip, red oak and linden.
Are schools eligible? Thanks
Hi Stephanie – Schools located in Fort Erie are eligible; however, school property is privately owned by the NDSB and proper approvals would be required before planting any new trees.
Can Welland residents get a tree or only fort Erie residents?
The replanting program is meant for Fort Erie residents only. Thanks for the question!
What type of identification or proof of address should we bring?
No proof of address or identification is required. The program is being implemented based on the honour system. However, we will be asking for your name and address for record purposes.
Great idea
What a great way to restore the canopy.
Love this thanks Town of Fort Erie:) Trees are the Earths`lungs- its especially important to replant trees – they help keep the air clean as well! especially after the devastation of removal of all the Ash trees in the town.
What a great idea. Are these being available for Fort Erie residence only? Just wondering when I need to get their to reap this benefit?
Hi – Cheryl
Yes, this is initiative is being offered to all Fort Erie residents. It’s based on a first come, first serve basis (while supplies last).