Resident fighting for better plant protection

Come the summer season, it’s the same issue, continues the Convent Glen resident – neighbourhood trees from Vineyard to Voyageur damaged by city mowing crews, resulting in injury and sometimes even total decline of the vegetation. “It’s definitely a frustration because it’s city property,” explains Blackadar, past president of the Ottawa Horticultural Society. “We all appreciate seeing trees get planted.”

For a number of years, the east-end inhabitant says he has noticed damage to trees in the park corridor that runs through his community. The injuries in question, he continues, appear near the base of the trees and in some instances have completely stripped away portions of the bark. “It’s the type of damage consistent with a mower going up against it, or a weed whacker,” Blackadar explains, adding that such damage means fungus or water can get under the bark and prove fatal for a tree.

As for whether any other factors could be responsible, he says other possibilities include vandalism or rodents, though Blackadar is quick to add that the damage is consistent with the height of city equipment and time of mowing, rodent activity is infrequent during this time of year and that his wife has witnessed city crews “going at the work too aggressively.”

With trees a long-term investment, it’s “common sense for the city” to protect them for health, environmental and financial reasons, he continues. “We get the most benefit out of them if they mature and grow up,” Blackadar explains, suggesting trunk protectors or leaving an unmown band of grass around each tree as potential solutions. “Protecting these things is very important. The biggest threat to these trees is our own city crews.”

Ken Connolly, east area parks manager for the city, stresses that while “no doubt (the damage to trees) is happening … we’re certainly trying to reduce it as much as possible.”

Equipment used by city crews can often be large and unwieldy, he explains – with one piece including a 72-inch, or six-foot, deck – and forced to fit into tight, small spaces. “We try to get operators to stay away from trees as much as possible,” Connolly continues, adding that while mowing equipment operators often attempt to leave some extra grass around trees, weed trimmers going in after can still sometimes cause damage.

Two summers ago, the city attempted a pilot program in six parks across Ottawa, Connolly recounts, leaving six inches of uncut grass around every tree – to mixed reviews from residents. “It worked, but a lot of people didn’t like the look of it,” he explains. “It’s ‘damned if you do, damned if you don’t.’”

Now, Connolly continues, after receiving the brunt of complaints about tree damage from the Orléans area – and specifically Convent Glen – the city plans on leaving more uncut grass surrounding each tree. They will also launch another pilot program, including in the east-end neighbourhood, with biodegradable coca mulch pads to see if any difference can be made in terms of protecting vegetation, he says. Continued operator and contractor education on the subject – which presently happens on a yearly basis – will also be maintained, Connolly adds. “(Damage to trees) does happen,” he explains. “Are we trying to prevent it? Absolutely. We certainly are trying our best.”