- Lining Queen Street on the southern edge of park
- Photo: © Torie Gervais
The grand mature trees lining the south side of the park likely planted over a century ago, and include from east to west: An English elm (Ulmus procera), a silver maple (Acer saccharinum), and a horse chestnut (Aesculus hippcastanum). Sadly, a second English elm that stood at the east of this row died in the summer of 2008 from Dutch Elm Disease, something it had survived when the disease first infested and killed the vast majority of elms four decades ago. The silver maple, is native to southern Ontario and often planted along city streets because it grows quickly and tolerates urban conditions, even though in its natural setting it would be found growing in the rich, moist soil bordering swamps, streams and lakeshores. The horsechestnut - a tree commonly planted by early European settlers - is likely the parent of the tree shading Tango Palace Cafe discussed in stop three.
The stunning tree just south of the wading pool is a one of the largest Scotch elms (Ulmus glabra) in downtown Toronto, a magnificent specimen with a hulking trunk and long branches that swoop down nearly to the ground. The roots of this tree were likely damaged when the concrete wading pool was installed decades ago. Often construction workers avoid damaging the trunk and branches of a tree, but do not realize that the roots need to be protected as well. The majority of a tree's roots is usually in the top foot (30 centimeters) of soil and can extend a distance twice the canopy's width in all directions. Roots are vital to a tree's health as they absorb the water and nutrients that are needed to grow. So the next time you are walking under the canopy of a large tree try to visualize the network of thousands of roots that are just inches below your feet.
- Next stop: Tango me Horsechesnut
- Previous stop: A friendly bench
- Return to map of: Leslieville
Funding for the program is generously provided by:
