“Growing the saplings was one way I felt I could make a positive contribution to climate change and beautify my community where I’ve lived for almost 70 years.” 

“During my quarantine in the Covid era, it was the one true thing.  I used it as an anchor when all the world appeared to be off kilter.” 

Oakvillegreen often receives notes from supporters, but interestingly, last week we heard from 2 tree guardians, who shared personal stories about oaks in their lives.

Oak trees are magnificent in so many ways! Out of the 11 native oak species in Canada, 10 are found in Ontario. Located on a crossroad between the Carolinian Forest and the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Forest region, Oakville has once been a home to many of these proud and mighty oak trees. With the significant growth of urbanization, climate change challenges, and the increasing presence of invasive species, our mature oak trees are a more and more rare sight. Some of these trees still stand tall and proud in Oakville.

Oakville resident Kim shared the story of 5 backyard red oak trees, estimated to be over 150 years old. When Kim moved to Oakville years ago, they were told that the trees were once part of a laneway to a farm. Kim and her family have stewarded the trees throughout the decades.

 Kim does have her favourite- the largest of the three remaining oak trees: 

“I have created paintings of this oak – tried to capture something of its beauty.  During my quarantine in the Covid era, it was the one true thing I used as an anchor when all the world appeared to be off kilter.  It had already seen so much.  We estimate that it is between 150-200 years old, old enough to be around before Canada was a country.” 

Kim wants to protect these trees for the future and is happy to share acorns from her heritage trees,  for planting in other Oakville locations. You can reach out to her: @kimberlybellart