Canadensis Native Tree Project

Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. – Warren Buffett

The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now. – Anonymous

A Growing Crisis

A growing crisis threatens our native trees and the Ottawa tree canopy. Contributing factors to this crisis are:

• Urban expansion and territory encroachment make it increasingly difficult for trees to naturally propagate, and as a result, many are on a path to becoming endangered. 

• There are about 75 native tree species in Ottawa and eastern Ontario, but perhaps up to a dozen or so are commonly available at local nurseries. 

• When there is a confrontation between humans and trees, the trees always lose. The loss of trees in Hunt Club Woods and at the Arboretum due to the new hospital development are two of many that come to mind.

• Infestations such as the Emerald Ash Borer, Dutch Elm disease, hemlock woolly adelgid, spotted lanternfly, and spongy moth 

Consider these factors carefully, and it becomes evident why our tree canopy is facing significant challenges, resulting in thinning, population loss, weakened trees and decline. At worst, this situation could lead to a grave and unsustainable ecological imbalance. Action is required to address this crisis.

The Successful Proof of Concept Project

In response, in 2022, the Canadensis Botanical Garden Society, in cooperation with the Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club (OFNC), undertook a native tree initiative to help reverse biodiversity loss among our native trees.

We have developed a straightforward methodology for cultivating indigenous trees from locally gathered seeds. Seeds collected from local and robust native trees will yield trees more adapted to our climate, resulting in more resilient trees with a heightened probability of survival. In addition, Canadensis created a native tree nursery at its site. 

OFNC led several seed collection excursions in the spring of 2022. Approximately 70 volunteers, including members of Scout Troops, participated. As a result, 250 new trees were successfully grown in the Canadensis tree nursery, and perhaps an additional 50 trees at the residences of some of the excursion participants.

Ritchie Feed and Seed became an important partner for distributing the trees to the community.

Partnering to amplify successes.

Encouraged by our early successes, we sought to continue and expand the project. We also recognized that the full potential of our methodology could only be realized through collaboration with partners and the community.

• Based on the success of the 2022 proof of concept, the City of Ottawa has provided funding to expand the initiative. This funding is enabling the expansion of the tree nursery at Canadensis.

• OFNC is scheduling seed collection excursions for 2025.

• Individuals within the community (unaffiliated with any organization) have volunteered and have provided seeds from trees on their properties.

• The Ottawa Horticultural Society is supporting the project, and over 15 members are growing trees from seeds at their homes.

• Wild Pollinator Partners are providing knowledgeable assistance for prioritizing species

• In January 2024, members of the Gloucester Horticultural Society also began to participate in the project.

• GardeningCalendar is prototyping a registration system to efficiently manage the inventory and market new trees to the community.

• The Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library is collaborating on seed exchanges.

How can you help?

There are many ways individuals can assist our response to this crisis. 

Collect seeds

• Participate in OFNC led seed collection excursions
• Collect seeds from trees, perhaps on your property, perhaps in other areas, and supply them 

Growing seeds

• Grow trees from seeds in pots at your home
• Consider becoming an expert for one or more tree species; read as much as you can on how to grow and propagate your favorite species, which can be from seeds and other methods. 
• Offer your expertise to others in the community.

Identify Community projects and Locations to place trees

• Community outreach initiatives, whether with community groups, schools, hospitals, hospices, and so forth to identify possible location for planting young seedlings

Training and leadership

• Volunteer for a leadership role in the management of this project
• Help with inventory management
• Become a leader of seed collection excursions

Education and support

• Offer to provide support to others who might have questions in growing there seeds 
• Education and transfer and skills. Teach others how to do this. 
• There is a need for training of the next generation of native tree experts, as well as to provide training of volunteers in native tree seed collection and propagation.

Opportunity: Orphan trees

A number of people have contacted us to say, “I have [this type of tree] growing [in my yard or at this location] and it needs to be moved because its going to be too big for that location. Instead of cutting it down, can I offer it to others in the community”

If we have enough volunteers, we can offer this service to the community. 

Final comment

If you are passionate about trees and this project and feel you might be able to participate, please contact us.

And Plant a tree today! Somebody will be in the shade in 20 years. It might be you!

References and Related Reading

City of Ottawa. April 2017. City of Ottawa commitment to increase the tree canopy –

National Capital Commission. 2021. NCC Forest Strategy 2021-2026.

National Wildlife Federation. 2021. Keystone Plants by Region – Eastern Temperate Forests – Ecoregion 8 (which includes Ottawa and eastern Ontario).

Parks Canada.  2003. Terrestrial Ecozones of Canada   http://parkscanadahistory.com/publications/fact-sheets/eng/ecozones.pdf

Vegetation in Eastern North America: Vegetation System and Dynamics under Human Activity in the Eastern North American Cultural Region in Comparison to Japan. 1994. Miyawaki A. et al. 

A survey of tree species of concern in Canada: the role for genetic conservation. 2006. Beardmore T. et al.