Manor Park Community Association

Why Manor Park should care about trees

By Manor Park Chronicle

Screenshot of iNaturalist app Manor Park Tree Canopy Project page.

By Elinor Mueller and Eugenie Waters

The Manor Park Community Association (MPCA) Environmental Sustainability Committee has started a Neighbourhood Tree Canopy Project.

Our mature trees have always been an important part of Manor Park’s beauty, but they are so much more.

They efficiently and effectively capture carbon and other pollutants in the air. In exchange, the oxygen they produce improves air quality. They filter water, preserve the soil and provide vital shade.

Studies show trees lessen human stress, help control noise, and improve the overall well-being of urban communities. They provide essential shelter for birds, insects and small animals.

With urban intensification, our mature trees in particular need to be protected-their value is immeasurable!

It takes decades for a young tree to provide the carbon-sequestering and shade benefits of a mature tree.

Not long before the start of the pandemic, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) was planning to pave over about one third of the greenspace (and associated trees) adjacent to Manor Park Public School for a parking lot.

Did you know that the current Manor Park Estates/Heights redevelopment application is expected to result in the loss of at least 122 mature trees?

This will represent almost one third of the mature trees on the land that is planned to be redeveloped. In order to protect our tree canopy, we need to get to know our trees!

The MPCA Neighbourhood Tree Canopy Project’s goals are:

  1. Identify, measure and document the health of trees using photographs throughout the entire Manor Park Neighbourhood including city street trees, park trees and trees on private property (when possible).
  2. Educate and increase awareness on the social, health and environmental benefits of a thriving urban tree canopy, especially in the context of climate change and associated extreme heat, droughts, and pests (i.e. lyamntria dispar dispar moth infestations)
  3. Strengthen our existing tree canopy and be prepared to defend our mature trees, given anticipated changes coming to the neighbourhood due to the Manor Park Estates redevelopment and the overall intensification expected, given the direction of Ottawa’s new Official Plan.
  4. Involve residents of all ages and strengthen community connections.

Here’s what we have done so far:

  1. We are developing an inventory of mature trees in Manor Park by using the iNaturalist  app to compile our data on the ground:  full photo, circumference, species, location. Our work to date can be found by going to inaturalist.ca and search for “Manor Park Tree Canopy Project”. Of note, the City of Ottawa has a tree inventory of its own, but it does not include photographs and is generally limited to city-owned street and park trees and excludes trees on private property, including OCDSB property (ie. Manor Park Public School land).
  2. We have completed the inventory on the Manor Park Public School property and adjacent greenspace.
  3. We have completed the inventory around Manor Park Estates from Eastbourne Ave. to Hemlock Rd., Braemar St. to St. Laurent Blvd. 
  4. We have started the inventory along Brittany Ave. near Montreal Rd.
  5. We are planning an informational pamphlet for homeowners to encourage planting a tree in their yard in the spring.

Options to get involved:

  • Enjoy the trees we have, learn more about them; follow the project on iNaturalist, on social media and here in the Manor Park Chronicle, talk about it with friends and neighbours!
  • Get the iNaturalist app on your phone and join the project; if you’re a tree expert, help identify trees that have already been added to the project. If you want to get outside–we will resume documenting trees in May 2022 when the leaves are out again-we welcome your involvement!
  • Plant a new tree on your property or speak to your landlord or condo board about planting tree(s). Check and see if you have space for a city street tree (the space between your property line and the roadway)–if yes, you can request a FREE street tree from the City of Ottawa Trees in Trust program. Free tree saplings are also often available through Ecology Ottawa’s Tree Giveaway events or of course you may choose to purchase and plant a tree of your choosing.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @ManorParkEnviro and, if you have any questions, email manorpark.environment@gmail.com .