PRESERVING THE CANOPY Trees for a Sustainable Urban Forest

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

—Chinese proverb

Saskatoon has long had the moniker “City of Bridges,” but it is also known as the City of Trees, even though only about nine per cent of it currently has tree cover. A recent initiative, the Pathway to a Sustainable Urban Forest, passed by City Council, spans the coming decade, and aims to increase the green canopy to 15 to 20 per cent of the urban landscape by 2060.

Maintaining, protecting and growing a forest takes a lot of forethought and time.

Homeowners share in the goal of a wider urban forest by planting and preserving their own canopy.

Linda Moskalyk, president

BY: KARIN MELBERG SCHWIER

of the SOS Trees Coalition, formerly known as SOS Elms, is, frankly, a tree lover. Linda and the coalition promotes tree planting, the preservation of “heritage trees,” and the education of city dwellers and developers about how trees enhance not only the aesthetics of our urban spaces, but also our mental and physical well being.

Trees Play Varied Roles

“So many of our established neighbourhoods have beautiful large trees. People choose to live in these areas in part because of that; trees are a big draw not only for their beauty but shade and enhancement of property value,” says Linda. “When homeowners cut down a large tree, the entire neighbourhood is affected.”

Because much of a city is covered in pavement, a “heat island” develops and temperatures rise as the asphalt, concrete and buildings absorb the sun’s rays. Buildings are close together and absorb heat, and energy is created by human activity. Leafy canopies, roof plantings and vegetation of all types help to deflect the sun’s radiation and lower the air temperature.

Planting the ‘Burbs

Many new urban areas seem barren despite the efforts of some developers to introduce man-made park areas. Streets are largely void of the leafy treelined plantings that grace established neighbourhoods.

“We need to remember that old neighbourhoods like those in Nutana, Varsity View, Saskatchewan and Poplar Crescents were all new at one time, too,” says Linda. “But back in the 1900s, people thought decades ahead and envisioned what they wanted those areas to become.”

There are homeowners in newly developed communities who are going beyond the small shrubs and perennials. In Rosewood on

Hastings Cove, Colin and Nicole Bletsky didn’t wait for City-planted boulevard trees to grow. Their yard shows what is possible in the suburbs. Colin, “not a fan of grass,” wanted to grace the property with mature trees.

“We love trees, shrubs and colour,” says Colin. “If we think of being in our house for 15 years, we wanted lots of big trees and shrubs around us right away. So we spent more money and bought big trees from the start.” In went ash, maple and birch.

The birds attracted by the trees are a bonus. For Colin and Nicole, it’s about colour, shade and privacy.

Preserving Heritage

On Saskatchewan Crescent West, Neil McKay considers himself the caretaker of a giant American elm that was planted in the early 1900s (see page 41). It’s considered a “heritage tree” because of its age. A stalwart of the neighbourhood, it has pride of place on the SOS Trees’ list of “impressive examples of species” growing in Saskatoon.

The coalition is particularly interested in a “tree protection bylaw” in the City’s urban forest initiative.

“It’s one of the most important things in the plan,” says Linda.

Nurturing the Unusual

Over in Buena Vista, landscape designer Denise Balcaen tends to a unique tree that originated in China centuries ago. Her ginkgo

Congratulations Winners!

Saskatoon & Region Home Builders' Association

31st Annual Housing Excellence Awards

Customer Choice Awards

Single Family Small Volume Builder 0-5: Hometown Homes

Single Family Medium Volume Builder 6-46: Spruce Homes

Single Family Large Volume Builder 47+: Warman Homes

Multi Family Builder 10+: North Ridge Development Corporation

Marketing Awards

Best Brochure/Kit: Spruce Homes

Best Digital Media Campaign: Ehrenburg Homes

Best Radio Ad: North Ridge Development Corporation

Best Sales Centre: Local Flooring Group

Renovation & Interior Decorating Awards

Interior Decorating: Maison Design + Build

Bathroom Renovation of the Year: Centennial Kitchen & Bath

Kitchen Renovation of the Year Under $50,000: Mavrik Home Builders

Kitchen Renovation of the Year $50,000 and Over: Spruce Homes

Whole Home Renovation of the Year: Mavrik Home Builders

Industry Awards (Sales & Customer Service)

Top Sales Achievement - Small Volume Builder: Andrew Wagner, Maison Design + Build

Top Sales Achievement - Medium Volume Builder: Susan Halabura, Edgewater Development Corporation

Top Sales Achievement - Large Volume Builder: Dave Rempel, Ehrenburg Homes

New Home Salesperson of the Year: Tabitha Andrade, North Ridge Development Corporation

Outstanding Customer Service: Brenda Peters, North Ridge Development Corporation

Industry Awards (Community & Leadership)

Environmental Stewardship: Durabuilt Windows & Doors

Environmental Leadership in Housing: North Ridge Development Corporation and Big Block

Safety Stewardship Award: All Weather Windows

Safety Leadership in Housing: North Ridge Development Corporation

Community Impact Award: Maison Design + Build and Edgewater Development Corporation

Housing Awards: Production & Design

SRHBA

Wayne Halabura, Edgewater Development Corporation they are earmarked to save, roots can be damaged during construction. Worse, soil compaction by heavy equipment under the dripline of the tree can deprive the tree of water and oxygen, and compromise its health.

Some builders, though, believe large mature trees will enhance a new home and every effort should be made to save them. One homeowner on Second Street credits his builder with “doing everything he could to save a beautiful oak tree,” says Linda. “It would have been much easier to not bother.”

Arbor Week

The SOS Trees coalition hosts the annual Arbor Week in late May. Tours, seminars, workshops and plantings are opportunities for people to share stories, ask questions about what to plant and what would do well in their yards.

“Many people value their trees and for good reason,” says Linda. “We need them to shade and cool our houses, clean carbon from the air and reduce the impact of climate change. They increase property values, provide shelter in the winter, wildlife habitat for bird watching in our backyards. And just add beauty that improves our mental health. They deserve our care and protection.”

Karin Melberg Schwier

(For more information about SOS Trees and Arbor Week May 20–28, visit www.sostrees.ca.)

Trees To Consider

“We suggest people go to their local nursery to see all of the species available,” Linda says. “New cultivars and more hardy selections are always being introduced. You may find something out of the ordinary that will enhance your home landscape.” She calls on Saskatoon residents to help the City reach its canopy goals by planting on private property and protecting existing trees.

Amur Maple - small, compact with spectacular fall colours. Linden - fragrance of flowers sweet and far reaching.

Maple - native Manitoba maple old reliable prairie tree, many new introduced species with interesting colours and ‘Canadian maple leaves.’

Scots Pine - evergreen grows with a loose open canopy providing unique character forms, bird habitat, year-round greenery, earthy scent.

Walnut, Butternut - Exotic leaves, but releases toxin, so keep away from other plants.

Flowering crabs and apples - size suited to urban yards, food for birds and people, bursts with spring colour, fragrance.

Oak - large shade tree, beautiful interesting foliage, drops acorns.

Mountain Ash - birds like cedar waxwings love berries, tree holds leaves longer than some in fall.

Spruce - evergreen good shelter for people and wildlife, don’t plant too close to house or sidewalk.

Ohio Buckeye - well suited to a city yard in size, drops nuts.