About Town of the Blue Mountains Tree Trust
Tree Trust TBM was established in July of 2020 with a mandate to look after landmark, established trees in our community.
While preserving legacy trees was our initial mission, our experience to date demonstrates that Tree Trust is a practical mechanism for community members to become involved and support their own urban forest. Taking care of mature trees offers a transformational opportunity; caring for mature trees is a symbolic and inspiring way to start engaging with climate solutions.
Since our launch, we have cared for five Sugar Maples – including a grand 225-year-old tree on the Georgian Trail. You can learn about all of our Tree Trust Trees here. As an extension project to complement the work we do at Tree Trust, we have started a native seed nursery with the intention of closing the loop.
Town of the Blue Mountains Tree Trust Trees
Click on each caption to learn more about the tree’s story.
Thornbury-Clarksburg Union Cemetery
Carbon Sequestered: 4.3 tonnes
Thornbury-Clarksburg Union Cemetery
Carbon Sequestered: 8.1 tonnes
Hillcrest Park, TBM
Carbon Sequestered:
Tree 1: 7 tonnes
Tree 2: 5.3 tonnes
Elgin Street, Thornbury
Carbon Sequestered: 4.5 tonnes
10th Line & High Bluff Lane, TBM
Carbon Sequestered: 6.6 tonnes
Banks Heritage Cemetery, TBM
Carbon Sequestered: 2.7 tonnes
Georgian Trail (Near Wards Rd.)
Carbon Sequestered: 6.8 tonnes
Russell Street
Carbon Sequestered: 4.2 tonnes
Napier St, Thornbury
Carbon Sequestered: 1.4 tonnes
We wouldn’t be able to preserve all these trees in our community without your support. Click here to donate and help us save our next tree. And if you know of mature trees in Town of Blue Mountain’s parks and public spaces that need help, you can nominate them here.
To contact Town of the Blue Mountains Tree Trust, email: [email protected] or call (519)-599-7798.
Chapter Events & News
Thanks to volunteers and community donations we’re expanding our nursery!
If you want to see more trees planted in our area – stay tuned. Soon we will be announcing a project to make small, medium and large potted trees available for residents to plant in their front or back yards. You can sign up to have your name on a list for one or several of these trees at [email protected].It is deeply rewarding that 600 new trees and shrubs have been planted in our community, but even more gratifying is the community strength demonstrated by this project. On behalf of Thornbury-Clarksburg Rotary, Treetrust TBM and the Town of The Blue Mountains Department of Community Services, we would like to extend a big “thank you” to our volunteer tree planters!
A Strong Community Builds a Future Tree Canopy
On Saturday, May 7th, the Town of the Blue Mountains saw 100 volunteers planting tree seedlings along the Georgian Trail. Community members of all ages, from children to seniors, participated. Working in teams, they planted cedars, white pines, red oaks and native shrubs.
The effort was a huge success, with more than 300 seedlings planted along two sections of the Georgian Trail – near Northwinds Beach and at the 10th line. TBM staff matched the effort on Monday, May 9th, by planting another 300 seedlings.
The response from the community was overwhelming and demonstrated how residents from all over TBM can come together to support highly valued efforts like establishing a future tree canopy.
The event also demonstrated collaboration between the municipality and local community groups. “The degree of collaboration among the program partners has been exceptional”, said John White of the Thornbury-Clarksburg Rotary. “There has been strong synergy and benefit from Town of the Blue Mountains, Treetrust TBM and Thornbury-Clarksburg Rotary working together on this first-of-its-kind effort. Ryan Gibbons, Director of Community Services for TBM, saw the event as an important learning opportunity: “We did a lot of collaborative planning that helped make the event successful but we also learned a lot that will help us in future programs.”
Also notable was the extra care taken to improve survivability of the seedlings. Volunteer team leaders attended a training seminar lead by Arboreal Tree Care prior to the event. The focus was on ensuring that extra care was taken to dig planting holes suitable to the root ball of the seedlings, and adding nutritious compost and water.
Over the summer, water tanks will remain in place and volunteers are encouraged to perform watering duties when they can, but especially during hot and dry weather.
More trees are coming to the Georgian Trail!
The Georgian Cycle and Ski Trail Association is pleased to announce a partnership with Tree Trust TBM and Tree Trust Meaford for a multi- year tree planting program along the Georgian Trail. This partnership will focus on planting of bare root and container sized deciduous and conifer trees (ranging from 2 up to 6 feet) in sections along the Trail most in need of an enhanced tree canopy.
Nipissing Ridge was funded by Tree Canada and Tree Trust worked with the Town of Blue Mountains on a project planting trees and shrubs in an area of park with no trees
The Town of The Blue Mountains worked with Tree Trust TBM and Arboreal Tree Care Professionals on the proposal submission, and closely with Tree Trust on the logistics and implementation of the professional tree planting component and for the community planting event.. Tree Trust in particular was a key partner and was instrumental to ensuring the project was successful. Arboreal Tree Care works often with Tree Trust as a service provider to provide preventative care for mature/heritage trees designated for protection, and provided the project with expert advice to ensure appropriate species were selected, testing of the berm soil and designing the planting site for the proposal submission, and professional installation of the larger tree stock.
Town of the Blue Mountains
Volunteer Day on Earth Day
Our Native Seed Nursery
Knowing that the legacy trees we have cared for have made it to old age and likely have good genetics, we will be using their seeds to grow new saplings in the hopes they too will mature into beautiful, storied trees.
Our nursery is located at the Tomahawk Recreation Complex in Thornbury. Thanks to the many volunteers who helped harvest seeds and baby seedlings from older legacy trees, the seedlings have been transplanted in the nursery and the seeds are in cold storage until planting time in the spring.
Thanks to the Blue Mountain Fruit Company and Arboreal Tree Care for helping prepare the site, and to our Town Council and staff for installing protective fencing to protect the trees from rodents. Stay tuned for more updates!
Trees are getting bigger at the Native Tree Nursery. We have planted out six basswood trees into the community from our nursery. We have eight more trees that are ready to go and 47 trees that are further sizing up in the nursery. Thanks to our very dedicated volunteer nursery manager – weeding and watering these trees all summer long! Pending further funding from the Town and or corporate donations in kind, we hope to add more trees and make improvements to the fencing and possibly expand and or move the location.
Meet Town of the Blue Mountain’s Tree Trust Arborist
Arboreal was established in 2001 to offer the Blue Mountains/Southern Georgian Bay region with an arboriculture firm to provide tree care of the highest standard.
Certified arborists on staff ensure that the prescribed action for trees in our care is carried out to the highest level, while maintaining a professional membership with ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) ensures we keep abreast of the latest techniques and research in our field.
Our equipment compliments our professional team by being up to date and meeting or exceeding the standards set for our industry. From large items such as using modern well maintained engines in our equipment to ensure efficiency and environmental responsibility, to important smaller details such as our use of biodegradable bar oil for our chainsaws so that no petroleum products are left at your site.
Our methodology is based in responsibility, respect and accountability towards the living organisms on which we practice our craft and to the clients who have chosen to use our services.
Meet Town of the Blue Mountain’s Tree Trust Coordinator
Betty Muise is a consultant specializing in adult education and training program design and facilitation. Throughout her career, Betty has focused on complex, multifaceted and highly technical issues in sectors such as health care, the environment, waste and recycling, energy, housing, and agriculture.
To contact Town of the Blue Mountains Tree Trust, email: [email protected] or call (519)-599-7798.
Community Support & Sponsors
Our community support has been outstanding, with significant citizen donations, media coverage from The Blue Mountains Review, support from Clarksburg-Thornbury Rotary, and grants from Town of The Blue Mountains Grants and Donations Committee. The work on our very first tree was also completed free of charge by our Tree Trust Approved Aborist Arboreal Tree Care Professionals. Most recently, Garden Holistics made a generous Holiday season donation in lieu of Christmas cards and gifts. Thank you to our dedicated donors and sponsors.
