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An Honour Roll of Trees
Yearbook 1976 page 19 By: Trevor J. Cole Back to the web versionWhere in the Ottawa Area will you find the largest white pine? Which is the biggest Magnolia in the city? Does anyone have a Laburnum in their garden? Did Charlotte Whitton plant any commemorative trees while she was Mayor and if so, where are they? These and other questions could be answered by the Ottawa Horticultural Society setting up an Honour Roll of Trees.
The Ontario Forestry Association is setting up a province wide inventory to find the largest, most unusual, furthest North, etc. for both native and exotic trees. Your board of directors thought it would be a worth-while project to do the same far the Ottawa area. Same of these, in turn, might qualify for inclusion in the Provincial List.
Far large trees we need to know the height to the nearest foot. the girth in inches 4 1/2 feet above ground level, and the spread in feet. The height can be determined by comparing the length of the shadow with the shadow cast by a six foot cane. (Far accuracy it should be done in the morning and evening). On sloping ground the girth is measured from the side of the tree. Crown spread is measured across the widest point and at right angles to it and the results averaged.
To discover the largest tree, paints are given using the sum of height in feet plus girth in inches plus 1/4 of the crown spread in feet. This evens out the result so that no one factor is used to determine 'largeness'.
In addition to largest trees we are also interested in the unusual; cultivated plants of named varieties or species that normally do not grow in this area. Correct identification is of course essential here, and if you are in doubt the society officers would be willing to help. I am sure that there are many plants growing in members' gardens which are not normally considered hardy here. These are the ones we want to hear about; if possible with an approximate year of planting.
We would also like to compile a record of trees planted by visiting dignitaries and local notables. Here of course we need to know who planted it and the year as well as the type and size of tree.
It is most important that you include the exact location of the tree so that others can find it readily. In city gardens this is fairly simple- e.g. front of 753 Elgin St.; in parks and open spaces it may be necessary to include a sketch map; while in the country a mileage from a paint of reference plus a map may be required e.g. Hwy 17, 3.2 miles W of Old Carp Road in field an N side.
If you have, or know of, any trees we could consider far inclusion, please mail in the data with location to Box 8921, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 312, marking your envelope TREES in the lower left corner. And Please include your name, address and telephone number.
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