a true piece of Vimy in these trees.” Following the ceremonies, arborists Andrew Cowell and Chris Brown, from the City of Oakville, and Caitlin Ayling from Aldershot Greenhouses, cut the branches from the oak trees, while Case Vanderkruk and Andrew Barbour were there to choose the best ones for transport to Connon Nurseries NVK in Waterdown.
Oaks ready in 2017
Now the pressure is on us,” says Barbour. “We will work to provide the best possible trees for transplant at Vimy in 2017.” The growers expect that around 1,000 trees should be available by then, although the project will need 120 trees. Vanderkruk says those trees not used for the Vimy celebration, could be planted at ceremonies in Canada. Under the watchful eye of Barbour, the cuttings from the Kennedy Road property will be grafted onto a host. “Once the union takes, it will be important to create a good rooting system.” Not all the trees will be produced through grafting. A couple of hundred cuttings treated with rooting hormone have been planted in grow containers, and Monty McDonald found an acorn under the brush that had began germination. This one acorn is now under the care of Andrew Barbour. Case Vanderkruk said that the five oaks left on the property did not produce many acorns. As well, the process to grow oaks from an acorn and have them a suitable size for 2017 wouldn’t be feasible.
Project is legacy
Asked why he took on the project, Vanderkruk gave a number of reasons, but cited how he felt it was important that the industry become involved in such a great project. “This project is just one way that we can show our industry’s professionalism and how many of us believe it’s important to be good stewards and leave a positive legacy.” Another reason to become involved is a personal one for Vanderkruk. “I’m a bit of a history buff, and Vimy is one of the major turning points in our country’s history.” He noted that Connon Nurseries also has a long and rich history. It is over 100 years old, having been founded by a man with a military background Major John Connon. “He hired my grandfather Cornelius Vanderkruk.” Cornelius later purchased Connon Nurseries, and today, five generations of the Vanderkruk family spend their time both growing plants and the business.
Propagator Andrew Barbour and Case Vanderkruk of Connon Nurseries NVK are working to produce enough oak trees to return to Vimy for the battle’s centennial in 2017.
Case’s father Neil Vanderkruk is a past president of Landscape Ontario. “I see this project as one of legacy for our country, industry and Vimy, and Connon Nurseries NVK,” said Case. Asked if he would want to attend the planting in April 2017, Case Vanderkruk said, “That would be a great honour to be there to return the oaks to the site...but we’ll wait and see.” To help ensure that the project is successful, Monty McDonald has created
a team of people who include Dr. Ron Ayling, editor of the Forestry Chronicle; Dave Lemkay, general manager of the Canadian Forestry Association; Ed Lawrence, well known gardening expert and radio personality; Tony DiGiovanni, executive director of Landscape Ontario; Case Vanderkruk and Andrew Barbour; Colonel Ralph Coleman, former director public affairs Canadian Armed Forces, and Patricia Sinclair, a community activist.
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