History was made on April 30th when the 200 year old oak “Big Red” at the corner of Park and Long Branch Avenue became Long Branch’s First officially recognized Heritage Tree. The Ceremony was co-hosted by the Long Branch Neighbourhood Association and Councillor Mark Grimes. In addition to the local residents who attended were Councillor Mark Grimes and his staff; Toni Ellis from Forests Ontario; Wendy Tobin, Branch Manager of the Long Branch TD Canada Trust and her staff and faculty and students from James S. Bell school. Mary Kennedy conveyed a message from James Maloney, MP Etobicoke-Lakeshore who was up in Ottawa and not able to attend.
Hopefully this is just the first of many more Heritage Tree Ceremonies in Long Branch. Heritage Trees bring awareness to the social, cultural, historical and ecological value of trees. For trees to qualify, Heritage Trees have to be associated with a historic person or event, or be growing on land that is historically significant. Candidate Heritage Trees are also assessed for form, shape, beauty, age, colour, size, rarity, genetic constitution or other distinctive features and/or as a prominent community landmark, however its historical or cultural significance is of most importance.
If you know of a tree in Long Branch that should be nominated, please contact us at longbranchnato@gmail.com.
