Tree Appreciation Day 2021

Orchard rejuvenated with fruit trees and native plants

Thanks to all of the community members who came out to Tree Day! We planted 12 fruit trees, 4 malus trees and a variety of native plants at Centennial Park.

A special thank you to Earl Claxton Jr, the Central Saanich Lions, and Tree Canada.

Central Saanich residents are invited to learn about local plants and get their hands dirty at this year’s Tree Appreciation Day on Saturday, November 6, 2021.

The all-ages event begins at 10 a.m. and includes:

native plant education from elder Earl Claxton Jr. of the Tsawout First Nation
tree planting demo by Central Saanich Parks staff
community planting of native shrubs and edible fruit trees in the Centennial Park orchard
community planting of trees along the Edith Cooke diamond in Centennial Park

The event will be held in the orchard area of Centennial Park near the lawn bowling club and batting cage.

“Each year Tree Appreciation Day provides skills and awareness to the community, and this year’s event will touch on two important topics,” said Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor. “I’m happy that we will have a local indigenous elder to share his knowledge with us about native plants, and adding more fruit trees to the orchard area is a wonderful way to demonstrate local food production on a public site.”

Central Saanich Council’s 2021-2022 Strategic Plan emphasizes investing climate action and a healthy natural environment. The District also heard during a recent survey that food security is a top concern of residents.

What: Tree Appreciation Day
Date: Saturday, November 6, 2021
Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Centennial Park (Hovey Road and Wallace Drive in Saanichton). Please meet near the lawn bowling club.
Note: Please bring gardening gloves.

Did you know?

One large tree can provide a day’s oxygen for up to four people.
Trees capture carbon and become carbon ‘sinks’ which reduce the Greenhouse Effect. (You need about 500 full-sized trees to absorb the carbon dioxide produced by a typical car driven 20,000 km/year.)
Trees provide shelter for wildlife.
Trees intercept rainfall and reduce run-off, thereby functioning like retention/detention basins.
Trees have a psychological impact of trees on people’s moods, emotions and enjoyment of their surroundings