Residents who live in the Westheath, West Park or Iron Bridge neighbourhoods are eligible to receive up to two free trees as part of a municipal tree-planting program.
This program — designed for new subdivisions — has been created to help build and extend the City of Moose Jaw’s urban forest. The trees are expected to be planted on the boulevard adjacent to homeowners’ property, depending upon the suitability of the site for tree planting, according to the City of Moose Jaw.
The municipality has three types of boulevards: green space located between the street and sidewalk, green space located between the sidewalk and property line, and green space located in the centre medians of major streets.
“These boulevards create a more pleasant urban environment,” a brochure for the program says.
Trees provide many benefits, the brochure explained, such as reducing heating and cooling costs; filtering air pollution; generating oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants; increasing property values; reducing stormwater run-off and the cost of water treatment; providing a habitat for birds and animals; and improving the physical and mental health of humans.
For anyone in these neighbourhoods who is interested in participating in the program, tree orders must be submitted to city hall by Monday, Feb. 10 to qualify for this year’s delivery.
The parks and recreation department has chosen several types of trees that suit the Canadian environment and would do well on boulevards:
- Silver Maple – Acer saccharinum
- Amur Maple – Acer ginnala
- Manitoba Maple – Acer negundo
- Alder – Alnus hirsuta
- Paper Birch – Betula papyrifera
- Hawthorne – Crataegus x mordenensis
- Green Ash – Fraxinus pennsylvanica
- White Ash – Fraxinus americana
- Spring Snow Crabapple – Malus ‘Spring Snow’
- Pin Oak – Quercus ellipsoidalis
- Bur Oak – Quercus macrocarpa
- Japanese Tree Lilac – Syringa reticulate
- American Basswood – Tilia americana
- Little Leaf Linden – Tilia cordata
- Elm – Ulmu
“This list offers a variety of shapes and colours to add to the landscaping of your home and neighbourhood. We have listed the common and Latin names of the trees so you may research the tree if you wish,” the brochure said.
Trees will be ordered in early spring and will be made available for pick-up sometime in late August or September. Residents will be contacted with specific pick-up dates and times once they have been determined.
By accepting one or two trees, residents accept responsibility to care for the tree for the first three years, the brochure says. They will be responsible for the planting, watering and general care of the tree. At the time of pick-up, residents will be given a pamphlet on how to plant and care for your tree.
Trees come in 10-gallon pots and are about six to eight feet tall, so a truck or large SUV is recommended when picking up the purchase, the brochure adds.
For more information contact the parks and recreation department at 306-692-7151, or email recreation@moosejaw.ca. You can also visit the City of Moose Jaw’s website for more information.
