The Four “Full Circle” Tree Initiatives

Starting in 2004, Oakvillegreen initiated tree programs to create a healthier, larger and more diverse urban forest. Our four tree-related programs encompass the full circle of tree growth, from seed to mature tree. Over time these programs will ensure a healthy urban forest for our community and help people learn how to foster and care for this community treasure.

Oakvillegreen’s four progressive Tree initiatives include:

• Tree Seed Collection
• Foster Tree Parent Program
• Ground Breakers Tree Planters
• Heritage Tree Awards

To download our Full Circle Tree Initiative brochure, please click here (Adobe Acrobat required).

Tree Seed Collection

Tree Seed Collection is a program in which trained volunteers collect seeds from local native trees that have demonstrated superior characteristics and hardiness. The seeds are germinated/grown by the tree foster parents and planted in town-managed sites or in the backyards of participating foster tree parents for three to five years until they are ready to plant around Town. All supplies needed for growing seedlings will be provided. The Seed Collection Program engages Oakville’s citizens in the protection of urban forest and tree propagation, increases the tree canopy and provides superior, local native trees for private, and community tree plantings at low/no cost.

Foster Tree Parent Program

This program protects the genetic diversity of local native trees by encouraging and engaging Oakville citizens to grow tree seedlings from selected species on their property.  The community volunteers are recruited to foster parent young trees in a “nursery” area on their private properties for three to five years until the trees are ready to be planted.  The seedlings will come from seeds gathered by the seed collectors or from neighbours who pot seedlings found growing in their yards.  When trees are ready to be planted, they will be given to Ground Breakers, to the Town or to homeowners.

Ground Breakers Tree Planters

Ground Breakers is a group of volunteers dedicated to increasing the health and size of our urban forest through the planting of native trees and shrubs. Working in partnership with the Town of Oakville and Evergreen Canada since 2004, Ground Breakers has planted over 10,000 native trees, bushes and three wildflower gardens at sites all around Oakville. Ground Breakers selects sites for tree plantings, coordinates volunteers, provides guidance to do the planting and brings everything volunteers need (from shovels to gloves) to the planting.
Approximately 8 to 10 plantings occur each year in the spring and fall. This is an excellent program for students looking to earn volunteer hours in a meaningful way.

The Ground Breakers tree initiative aims to achieve the following goals:

1. To increase the tree canopy cover in Oakville on public land.
2. To demonstrate the importance of local, native trees.
3. To engage Oakville’s citizens in enhancing our urban forest.
4. To give Oakville’s citizens an empowering, hands-on way to improve the environment.
5. To build community cohesiveness by bringing together people of all ages and from many different groups to work together.

The Heritage Tree Awards (now the urban forest awards)

Oakvillegreen held its first Heritage Tree Hunt and Heritage Tree Photo Contest in 2007 when Oakville was designated the Forest Capital of Canada. The Heritage Tree Hunt engages Oakville residents in a fun activity which also educates them on the benefits of trees and raises awareness, and appreciation of the Town’s natural assets. An expert panel of judges selects winners from tree nominations and photo submissions. Winners in each category are awarded a medal of honour and nominators receive a plaque from the Mayor during a ceremony at Town Hall. The Heritage Tree Hunt contributes to the heritage tree inventory, developed by Oakvillegreen volunteer Cathy Kavassalis and the Town of Oakville.  The inventory is used to identify trees for our seed collection and tree propagation programs.  In 2009, the photo contest has now expanded to include poetry, short story and song, and the new Urban Forest Awards was held on March 23, 2010.

Oakvillegreen would like to thank the following groups for their partnership in the tree programs:

• The Town of Oakville
• Ontario Trillium Foundation
• Canadian Forestry Association
• Ontario Heritage Tree Alliance
• Ontario Urban Forest Council and
• Association for Canadian Educational Resources (ACER).

Oakvillegreen’s Full Circle Tree Initiatives have been made possible by a grant from:

If you are interested in helping with the Full Circle Tree initiatives or would like more information about them, please contact Jennifer McPherson, Manager of Marketing and Public Outreach.