By: Cecilia Nasmith, Today’s Northumberland
A free family event takes place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cobourg’s C.R. Gummow Public School – an Elder Tree Celebration.
Sponsored by Tree Canada and Tree Trust, the event includes refreshments, prizes, activities and demonstrations, including a guided tree walk and interactive fence weaving with local artist Jenny Duda.
It’s also an educational event, with Professor Pricklethorn putting on an interactive TREEmendous show that highlights the benefits of urban trees.
Del Cressman of Cressman Tree and Landscaping (a local business for more than 40 years) will offer a new-tree planting demonstration. And skilled arbourists from Baum Tree Care climbing into the branches of an old sugar maple to provide TLC and help extend the life of this treasured part of the school ground – a chance to witness an awe-inspiring act of care.
The Canadian TREE Fund is also rallying local cyclists for a Tour des Trees Eh! Cycling tour, a gentle 10K bike tour that will take in some of the town’s notable tree specimens and their unique attributes (introduced by tree enthusiasts and export arbourists). This activity requires pre-registration at http://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/the-international-society-of-arboriculture-canadian-research/events/cobourg-tree-fest/
Elder Tree celebrations are the first initiative by a group of tree lovers forming a local chapter of the Tree Trust, a charitable program working to preserve elder tree in communities across Southern Ontario.
Cobourg Tree Trust reflects the growing number of people who appreciate the wonders and value of our elder trees for their many benefits – storing carbon, reducing storm run-off, sheltering wildlife, reducing the heat-island effect and (as so many discovered during the pandemic) supporting our mental health.
C.R. Gummow Public School is located at 311 Cottesmore Ave., and everyone is welcome.
