THUNDER BAY — Property-owners around the city are receiving notices that they can expect to see a crew in their neighbourhood planting trees in the coming weeks.
This year the city's forestry and horticulture section will plant just under under 1,000 trees of various species including northwood maple, Carolina poplar and many others.
"We try to have some diversity, so that we don't end up with a monoculture of a single species," said Cory Halvorsen, manager of parks and open spaces.
"If that became subject to an invasive species or some other factor that compromised it, then you'd have a lot of your canopy impacted at one time. So we have 15 or 16 different species in this year's planting."
The city, which currently manages over 30,000 trees, in recent years has undertaken the removal of thousands of ash trees infested with the emerald ash borer.
It's about halfway through the process of removing and replacing the ash trees, and Halvorsen expects between 750 and 1,000 replacements will be planted annually over the next few years.
Although the city's forestry group typically has its planting plans laid out a year in advance, he said anyone can contact the infrastructure and operations dispatch number (807 625-2195) to request a tree in their area.
It's ultimately up to the staff to select the species for each location, but accommodation may be made for residents' preferences.
Trees planted on city property such as boulevards will be maintained and pruned as required by the city during their lifetime, however citizens can provide assistance.
During the first year after it's planted, a tree will have a watering bag that will be filled by city staff.
After that, the city invites nearby property-owners to provide "a slow, long soak" to new trees during extended periods of warm and dry weather.
Trees typically need three to five years of tending before their root systems are robust enough to support themselves.
"You can help trees survive and flourish by ensuring they have mulch that is 4-6 inches deep, and as wide as you are comfortable with during this period," the notice to homeowners states.
Free mulch is available at the Centennial Botanical Conservatory on Dease Street.
