It’s tough to argue with the reasons behind planting trees and the 25 new ones the city has planted in Water Tower Park have an added benefit – they will bear fruit.
A grant from Tree Canada’s Community Tree Grants program for $4,300 enabled the city to plant the fruit trees during the first week of May. The majority of the trees are apple and a few are plum.
“The benefits of these specific trees are that they will bear local, organic edible fruit for the community which assists in combating food insecurity in Selkirk, be a food source for pollinators and help increase tree diversity,” says Justin Torcia, Urban Forestry & Naturalization Co-Ordinator for the City of Selkirk.
Water Tower Park, near the community gardens, was selected in part because there aren’t many trees in that location, and because of its central location and ease for the community to get to the fruit, once accessible.
It will take a few years for the trees to become established and actually bear fruit. When that happens, the community will be encouraged to pick the apples and plums for consumption.
Fruit trees added to Selkirk’s tree inventory
As part of the agreement with Tree Canada, the city is expected to steward the trees for a minimum of two years. Torcia says that won’t be a problem, as the fruit trees will be added to the city’s tree inventory and taken care of for their entire lifespan.
“These trees will increase our canopy coverage and tree diversity in Water Tower Park, and we’ll add the trees to our inventory,” Torcia said.
“Once a tree is in the inventory, all of its pertinent information, like its age, condition, diameter and height as well as its location will be included. Being part of the inventory allows us to monitor the tree and ensure it receives proper care so that it can benefit the people of Selkirk for as long as possible.”
These fruit trees will act as a pilot project for the city and if successful and well-received, the city may consider additional locations in the future.
Mihali Schindle, the city’s Manager of Climate Action and Environmental Services, says the planting of fruit trees aligns with the city’s Street Tree Policy and Climate Change Adaptation Strategy to improve its urban canopy.
“Fruit trees provide the same benefits as other trees while providing harvestable fruit to the community,” Schindle said.
260 + additional trees being planted this spring
The fruit trees are in addition to the 260 street tress the city is planting now and throughout the spring on medians and boulevards along parts of Main Street, and various residential streets throughout the city. These trees are funded through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program administered by the provincial government. Planting is expected to be complete by the end of June.
A provincial and federal tree planting program has also allowed the city to plant 35 new trees in Selkirk Park and Campground.
Learn more about Selkirk’s urban canopy here.
