About this Program

Trees Winnipeg (the Coalition to Save the Elms) is pleased to announce the launch of The Winnipeg Historic Tree Preservation Program on June 16, 2011.

The goals of The Winnipeg Historic Tree Preservation Program are:

1) Increase public knowledge of the historical, cultural, ecological, and sociological roles of trees and green spaces in Winnipeg’s urban communities

2) Promote environmental stewardship by engaging Winnipeg residents in the identification and protection of trees and green spaces

3) Provide the necessary data and support required to establish a tree preservation policy for urban trees within the city of Winnipeg

This program is driven by public support from Winnipeg residents, as well as the professional expertise of partnering organizations, private companies, and volunteers. Trees Winnipeg is proud to be working with local, experienced tree-care professionals certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA); an international standard of accreditation through which arborists demonstrate the proper technical knowledge and skills, as well as a high level of dedication to the tree-care profession and to the community.

As part of this program, Trees Winnipeg needs your help in locating trees throughout Winnipeg that have historical, cultural, ecological, or sociological significance.

• Does your tree have a story?
• Do you know a special tree worth preserving?

The Importance of Tree Preservation

With over 30 years of successfully managing Dutch elm disease, Winnipeg is home to the largest American elm population in any city in North America, with over 140,000 elms growing on City boulevards, in parks and open spaces, golf courses, cemeteries, private properties and riverbanks. Our elms make up just a portion of Winnipeg’s urban forest of an estimated 8 million trees. Tree-lined boulevards and mature trees on private properties are distinguishing features for many communities within the city of Winnipeg, with many pre-dating the houses and structures built around them. Currently, there is no protection for trees on private property in Winnipeg, despite the progress in tree protection policies in other major Canadian cities

What is a Historic Tree?

In general, a historic tree can be considered an individual tree that due to its age, dimensions, cultural significance or a combination of other social, biological or physical aspects may have special significance to citizens in a community.

The technical heritage tree definition developed by Dr. Paul Aird, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, has been adopted by the Trees Winnipeg Historic Tree Protection Committee:

“A notable specimen because of its size, form, shape, beauty, age, colour, rarity, genetic constitution, or other distinctive features; a living relic that displays evidence of cultural modification by Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal people, including strips of bark or knot-free wood removed, test hole cut to determine soundness furrows cut to collect pitch or sap, or blazes to mark a trail; a prominent community landmark; a specimen associated with a historic person, place, event or period; a representative of a crop grown by ancestors and their successors that is at risk of disappearing from cultivation; a tree associated with local folklore myths, legends or traditions; a specimen identified by members of a community as deserving heritage recognition”.

(Source - Securing the Future of Heritage Trees: A Protection Toolkit for Communities. Ontario Tree Alliance, Ontario Urban Forest Council.2006)

As part of this program, Trees Winnipeg needs your help in locating trees throughout Winnipeg that have historical, cultural, ecological, or sociological significance.

• Does your tree have a story?
• Do you know a special tree worth preserving

Featured Historic Tree:

The Wolseley Elm, December 05, 1957

The Wolseley Elm This famous tree stood in the middle of Wolseley at the foot of Basswood Place. It was planted in the 1860’s on the river lot farm of Joseph and Mary Anne Good, when Mary Anne was a bride. The sapling had been rafted down the river from Baie St. Paul. In 1957, the city decided that it had to be removed to build a new road. Mary Anne Good, Mrs. Borrowman, and other neighbours petitioned city council to stop this action and won their case; the road was built winding around the tree. Unfortunately, the tree was cut eventually removed in July 1960. Source: A Historical Walking Tour of Wolseley (Manitoba Historical Society)   Photo: Winnipeg Tribune Photo Collection (University of Manitoba Archives)

Historic Tree Nomination Form

Download our “All Trees Tell a Story” Historic Tree Nomination Form here and submit it to the address below!
  
Mail: Trees Winnipeg            Fax: (204) 986-4050       
1539 Waverley Street
Winnipeg, MB  R3T 4V7

for more information contact

Gerry Engel
Board Member & Historic Tree Preservation Spokesperson

A passionate and curious tree person his entire life, Gerry left the security of a family business and started TreeLife Arborist Service 17 years ago; a certified, custom arborist practice specializing in the preservation of trees. Gerry also volunteers his time as a board member of Trees Winnipeg, serving as the chair of the Annual Arbor Day Festival, as well as a committee member of the Historic Tree Protection Committee. Gerry believes that the trees of our urban forest can't be taken for granted and he works hard to preserve what we have left. As an ISA certified arborist and member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists, Gerry is happy to engage in conversation with anyone interested in the value of trees to our city and communities.

Please contact the number below if you would like to arrange an interview with Gerry.

Kerienne La France
Executive Director

Kerienne is a graduate from the University of Winnipeg Environmental Studies (Forest Ecology) Program, and joined Trees Winnipeg in 2010 as the Public Education Coordinator. She began her new part-time position as
Executive Director in spring 2011, and is currently finishing her Master’s degree in Forestry and Environmental Management from the University of New Brunswick. Kerienne also works at the University of Winnipeg, managing research projects on urban forest health and diversity. Outside of Trees Winnipeg, Kerienne volunteers her time as a member of the Canadian Institute of Forestry, and has served as a volunteer with other organizations exploring forest management and conservation projects in Europe and Central America.

Office Phone: (204) 832-7188 (9-4 pm only)
Email: office@treeswinnipeg.org (day & evenings to 9pm)