Victoria Park was the setting for another education colouring book in the series by Professor Elwood Pricklethorn.
On Saturday, August 29, 2020, Pricklethorn (aka Warren Hoselton) and illustrator Jenny Duda were amongst friends as they released the third book they’ve worked on together.
True Tree Crimes – 10 Ways to Kill Urban Trees is a colouring book is ways to kill in a tree, in the hopes that people will find ways to safely grow a healthy tree.
“You are about to enter a world of crime,” says the opening line in the book.
“A world motivated by “tough love,” ignorance and “killing with kindness.”
Trees grow well without human intervention, but in towns and cities is where a healthy tree may have problems.
The book has 10 ways to kill a tree, and more importantly 10 ways to create a healthy environment for a tree to grow.
“Through forensic investigation, we will discover ways to stop the violence and save the trees.”
Pricklethorn (Hoselton) spoke to Today’s Northumberland in Victoria Park.
Simple things like putting a wire around a tree, improper pruning and stacking to much mulch around the base of a tree over time will kill the tree.
Hoselton says trees are starting to be appreciated more in society.
“Major municipalities now have by-law protection.”
If companies are doing construction around the area of trees, they sometimes have to put down a deposit to guarantee the tree won’t be harmed.
“Trees are important to me.”
“We’re only going to be as healthy as the trees are around us.”
Calling them the “secret weapon” in terms of community health and mental health.
It’s safe to say Hoselton knows what he’s speaking about as he is the Park’s Supervisor for the City of Toronto on Toronto Island and is a certified arborist since the early 1990’s.
“Trees have always been my passion,” dating back to his years growing up as a child on Cottesmore Avenue in Cobourg.
“I’ve always followed trees even though I’ve been doing park maintenance and working on golf courses. Trees have always the single piece of my passion.”
Cobourg is Hoselton’s hometown and there is no other place he would be to release the third colouring book on trees.
“Cobourg is truly my roots and Jenny being from here I can’t think of a better surrounding to be here to talk about trees. I’m home here.”