This Bur Oak has acted as a canopy and playground at Centerville’s Public School for generations. In fact it is visible in a 1912 photograph of the former Chesterville High School that once sat at the south side of the school property on College Street.
Dating back to pre-confederation, this tree has survived growing up in what was once a prominent mill town and has withstood massive redevelopments, ice storms, and Tornados. The tree is a symbol for the school and is featured on the school’s logo, representing growth as well as preserving the community’s unique history and culture.

The nomination of this tree brought together community members, sharing their historic tales and pictures of the iconic species. Representatives of Chesterville were inspired to nominate this tree in order to preserve the significance in plays within the community. A testament to the tree’s significance in the community, everyone in town knows the revered “Oak Tree”.

This Gingko stands at the south side of Silver Creek Farm. Dating back to 1826, this land was once owned by the Chambers family, one of the founding families in the former settlement of Silver Creek. The farm later became the summer residence of noted physician, Dr. Andrew Rose Robinson (1845 – 1924). After he purchased the land in 1895, Robinson built a summer home and established a trout hatchery within the former mill ponds.

It is believed that Robinson received the Gingko seed in 1904, at the world’s fair, where Japanese exhibitors offered rare foreign seed as souvenirs. Robinson went on to plant this seed next to his summer home. Following Robinsons death in 1924, the property became well known for Jersey cattle breeding until after the Second World War.

History aside, this tree is remarkable for its size and good health – and thanks to care given by the homeowners, will surely grace the farm for years to come.

This White Ash dates back to before Balsam Lake Provincial Park was established in 1968. The land this tree stands on once belonged to George Laidlaw, an energetic railway promoter and builder. Originally Scottish, Laidlaw immigrated in to Toronto in 1855. He quickly found success as a grain merchant and wharf owner.

Laidlaw negotiated the completion of the Toronto, Grey & Bruce Railway to Owen Sound and the Toronto and Nipissing Railway to Coboconk. He continued to promote the initiation and extension of several other local railways, and proposed a grand plan for uniting the independent railways of southern Ontario into a competitive alternative to the Grand Trunk Railroad. Though it was met with minimal success at the time, the idea was the backbone of what was to become the Canadian Pacific Railway. He retired to his ranch here on Balsam Lake in 1881 to raise pure-bred livestock. This tree is a representation of Laidlaw’s success and contribution to Canadian culture and the interpretive sign on the Park trail reminds us what an exceptional tree this is.

This apple tree stands by the Old Hay Bay Church, the oldest surviving Methodist Church in Canada. Erected just eight years after the arrival of the United Empire Loyalists, it was the first meeting house (as it was called) in the province.

This heritage apple tree is growing from the roots of the original tree that is illustrated in the Historic Atlas of Frontenac, published in 1878 by J.W. Meachum & Company. Over the years, this tree, like all heritage trees, has been part of our history. In this tree’s case, John A McDonald’s homestead, located 150 meters away, marked by a cairn, suggests that our first Prime Minister likely attended social events in this church.

In 1819, the tree stood over a terrible tragedy. Ten young people drowned when their boat, overturned within sight of the church. All are buried in the cemetery. In this small community, no one was untouched by the tragedy. There is a detailed account from the Napanee Beaver, April 30th, 1897.

This yellow bitch is located in the middle of a 10 acre woodlot at the Grand River Conservation Authority’s Burford Tree Nursery. It began its life it an open-grown setting and later was surrounded by the forests it now resides in. The rest of the forest grew up around this tree. The property was acquired by the GRCA in 1984, being bequeathed to us by a lady who, with her late husband, farmed the land for tobacco and used this woodlot as a source of fuelwood.

The land was originally owned by an aboriginal family. It is believe that a man mysteriously appeared out of nowhere to show a former nursery grower (Bruce) the old foundations and information about the family. Before Bruce could ask the mysterious man any questions he disappeared into thin air. The man had said native family were bee keepers. To this day it is believed that a ghost inhabits the land to tell a few individuals about the local history.

This magnificent ancient pair of red oak trees grew on the sandy soil of the Lake Ontario shoreline before the first “European” settlers arrived in 1793 to found the Town now known as Port Hope. In all likelihood, this sandy oak savanna area was used by Iroquoian peoples as hunting and gathering grounds as they travelled the nearby trail (now Lakeshore Road) to reach the salmon and sturgeon of the Ganaraska River.

During the past 17 years and throughout the 20th Century generations of Port Hopers have enjoyed these trees as they played on the baseball diamond, strolled in the park and created family memories. Neighbourhood children have swung from, climbed and played around the “mighty oaks”. Photos of these trees grace the cover of Port Hope’s Municipal Forest Master Plan and all Trees of Distinction publicity.

This beautiful 150 year old Sugar Maple is located on the southwest corner of the original Brown Weslayan Church and burial grounds, which became part of Caledon East Public Cemetery in 1906. John and Mary Kyle Brown, who farmed the land that was initially purchased by their family in 1824, donated the one acre of land where the church and burial grounds are located. The Brown family purchased 3 additional acres to enlarge the cemetery and incorporate tombstones from smaller nearby cemeteries. In 1910, the Caledon East Cemetery committee formally took over maintenance of the grounds, and in 1984 the committee purchased an additional 3 acres to one again expand the cemetery.

Sugar Maples act as a crucial species to the ecology of many Canadian forests. With their unmatched canopy they are among the most shade tolerant deciduous tree species. The Sugar Maple is considered the national tree as its leaf is featured on the Canadian flag. This tree holds immense historical and cultural value to Canada and symbolizes health and prosperity for the nation.

This Sugar Maple tree is located on a parcel of farmland that has been owned locally by the Wilkinson family for over 143 years. The land has been passed down through generations and is currently owned by Millie Wilkinson. The tree has been healthy and present throughout the years in the South-East corner of the lot. The tree was planted by one of the original surveyors of the Chinguacousy Township as a survey stake before the Wilkinson family bought the property over 143 years ago.

Sugar Maples act as a crucial species to the ecology of many Canadian forests. With their unmatched canopy they are among the most shade tolerant deciduous tree species. The Sugar Maple is considered the national tree as its leaf is featured on the Canadian flag. This tree holds immense historical and cultural value to Canada and symbolizes health and prosperity for the nation.

This Silver Maple is an iconic symbol of the community. It has lived through the growth of its rural surroundings into the vibrant downtown area now known as the Annex neighbourhood in Toronto. The “Big Tree”, as named by the community, sprouted back around 1863. At this time the Annex was still mainly rural farmland. The first building on Huron Street was the original Huron Street School back in the 1890’s. This tree dates back to before this time and has witnessed its demolition in 1956 for a modern Huron School upgrade.

The students at Huron Street Public School were inspired to nominate the ‘Big Tree’ after learning about its historical significance within the community. Several students have written paragraphs expressing their love for the tree. The ‘Big Tree’ is a meeting place, a place to hide behind during games, a comfortable seat amongst its roots, and a tree impossible to climb (yet everybody tries).  It gives shade, leaves for making leaf forts and jumping in, and it also imparts one with a sense of history by its very presence.

This Eastern White Pine is nearly 300 years old and is located in an old-growth forest dominated by white and black spruce and tamarack. This White Pine is one among the few found in the area. This historic area was once owned by one of Ontario’s most famous lumber barons, Jonh Rudohphis (J.R.) Booth. Booth was the renounced Canadian lumber king and built the Canada Atlantic Railway. Near this tree he owned a sawmill that was part of the largest lumber operation of its kind in the world, that eventually burned down in a forest fire. At the time, the large old pines located on this site were deemed the most prized species to harvest, used often as the masts for large ships.

Over recent years many people have hiked to this tree with local author, Robert John Leach. Leach has published stories telling the tales of this area. As one of the last standing Eastern White Pine’s of the regions, this tree is physically, functionally, visually, and historically linked to its surroundings.

American Beech tree holds significant historical and social value to the Town of Cobourg. The tree dates back to pre-settlement era about 260 years ago, and currently stands as the last surviving mature beech tree. The area this tree inhabits was purchased by Mr. D.F. Donegan in aims to preserve the species. He gifted the land to Cobourg and as a result the area became Cobourg’s first official park in 1894, now known as Donegan Park.

The land became an active park, and was home to several local sports teams and events. The Galloping Ghosts, a local amateur football team saw 8 Ontario and 3 Canadian Championships in this park. Aside from its sports history, the park has also had visits from some significant historical figures including Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir Wilfred Laurier.

This American Beech tree has withstood several ownerships and redevelopments and is older than the city itself, making it a symbol of health and prosperity for the region. Over the decades, this tree has seen the town, province and country evolve under the shade of its branches.

This White Oak tree is historically and socially significant to Leith since its planting in 1905 by a group of youngsters attending Sunday School at Leith Church. The tree sits feet away from the front door of Leith Church, which celebrated its 150^th anniversary in 2015. It also sits only feet away from Tom Thomson’s tombstone, an iconic Canadian painter and member of the Group of Seven. Every year many pilgrims walk under the Oaks canopy to lay paintbrushes, rings, and coins to pay respect to the painter.

This tree also hosts a ceilidh dancing festival that attracts 500 people every summer alongside several music festivals every year. It is also an important historical marker for the Leith Church, where under this tree the church holds an anniversary service of the Annan-Woodford pastoral charge along with an outdoor luncheon each year.

This old oak tree is special to the Friends of Leith Church, a volunteer group that restored the historical Leith Church into a cultural community hub that attracts thousands of visitors each year. This tree has become so precious to the community that Friends of Leith Church will gather its acorns to provide new roots and hope for future generations.

This Sugar Maple signifies the location for trading grounds between early European settlers and the Chippewa, a local first nation’s clan. Arborists estimate that the tree is well over 200 years old. The “Trading Tree”, as locals called it, was used as a trading ground in order for the Chippewa to exchange their woven baskets and fish for the settler’s butter and eggs. This Sugar Maple symbolizes the success resulting from the collaboration between pioneers and the Chippewa in the early settling days.

This Tree is located on a historic farm parcel owned by the Reed Family dating back to 1840. The farm stayed within the Reed family until 2013 where it was sold to the Town of Georgina. In 2015, the town gave a 7.5 acre lease to the Ontario Water Centre. This educational charity is turning the farm into a demonstration for eco-farming. The charity will be building an educational garden around the tree.

This Jesuit Pear Tree is a descendant of trees brought from France by the Jesuit Missionaries in the early 18^th century. These trees marked the location of early French settlements within Canada. Although historically common to the region, Jesuit Pear Trees are becoming rare. Since 2001, this species has been recognized as the symbol of the Detroit Region`s French-speaking community, which is now focused around the region of Windsor. This tree is located at the North-West corner of the Maison Francois Baby House.

The Maison Francois Baby House is a historic residence that was owned by the prominent local politician, Francois Baby. The house has been designated as a National Historic Site of Canada. Throughout the war of 1812, the house was known as La Ferme and acted as a French-Canadian ribbon farm. It was used as headquarters by both American and British forces. Currently, it acts as part of the Museum Windsor, housing permanent galleries about Francophone Heritage and the War of 1812.

This Sycamore tree has been a member of the community since pre-confederation. It has withstood the war of 1812, mass urbanization, and highly present disease. Despite these factors the 225 year old Sycamore on the Roseland Subdivision stands to this day and dominates the landscape of the community, attracting attention from every direction.

While the species is not rare, the size and unique health of this tree is unmatched within the municipality and possibly the province. The home owner alongside the City of Windsor have partnered together to ensure healthy maintenance of the tree. In 1926, prior to being the Roseland Residential District, the area this tree populates acted as a golf course and country club. The property was owned by the McKee and Marantette families, both of whom played a substantial role in the development of the Town of Sandwich, now known as part of the City of Windsor. This tree has withstood several ownerships and redevelopments and is older than the city itself, making it a symbol of health and prosperity for the region.

Our first Remembrance Day was marked on November 11, 1919 to makr the end of World War I. As a commemorative gesture for 12 very young soldiers (ages 16-18) from the Lambton community who lost their lives in the war, 6 trees were to be planted in front of Lambton Park Community School. Royal Princes of England- Albert and Edward- were invited to plant these trees, however were unable attend, so it was decided that the mothers of the fallen soldiers would plant the trees.

Reginald Gage was an uncles to a young girl named Bonita Nelson. Bonita’s grandmother, Emily Gage, Reginald’s mother was sick on planting day, so Bonita’s mother ( Reginald’s sister) stepped in and, helped with the planting. A plaque commemorating the 12 fallen soldiers where on display in the school foyer.

In 1993, the school was torn down and rebuilt. During construction, Madeleine McDowell, a well-known historian, and school trustee at the time, was aware of the importance of the six trees out front of the school, so she made sure they were protected. On September 24, 2016, the school celebrated its 100th anniversary at which time these 6 trees were formally recognized Heritage Trees, and a delighted and proud Bonita Nelson was a guest of honour at the ceremony.

The Coutnac Beach community within Tiny Township of Simcoe County, Ontario, comprises 161 properties and seven held in-common private park lands whichT are home to a large number of healthy and old growth mature ash trees. Located on the north shore of the Outer Harbour of Penetanguishene Bay, Coutnac Beach resides in an area with a rich and steep history of the early settlement and defence of Canada. As early as AD 800, the Huron settled in semi-permanent villages in the area with the young French translator, Étienne Brûlé.

Through the present years, many Ash trees in Coutnac Beach have continued to stand tall for over an estimated 130 years being spared from the loggers’ axes and saws and land development operations. In fact the trees were saved by residing within the unique planned common park lands (noted earlier) not having to be removed for subdivision grading and road and home construction. Of significant note, there are nine White Ash trees alone that have diameters at breast height (DBH) and heights at over 60cm and 70 feet tall, respectively, and 18 more White Ash trees with over 50cm DBH.

In 1890, William Lea, a member of the founding family for which Leaside is named, designated a half-acre of his land to erect Leaside Mission. Decades later, St. Cuthbert’s Anglican Church replaced the small wooden structure. As the only public building in the area, St. Cuthbert’s became the first “City Hall” of the newly incorporated Town of Leaside in 1913.

Over the decades, archival photos make it clear that the beloved white oak tree has witnessed a great many events, including garden parties, bowling on the Green, weddings, funerals and the 1918 celebration to honour veterans returning from the Great War.

Since the church lacks a steeple, visitors are often instructed to find the church by looking for the oak tree! This nearly 200 year old great white oak stands steadfast today – a testament to the pioneers who first settled Leaside.

This oak tree was planted as a sapling by the 19 year old Prince of Wales, eldest son of Queen Victoria who later became Edward VII, on his tour to New York & Canada in 1860.
After laying the cornerstone of the new Parliament Buildings in Bytown the Prince travelled by steamboat & birch bark canoe, part of a race, to Arnprior, known for its lumber industry. He lunched at the home of Daniel McLachlin, one of the lumber barons of the area, named “The Hill”. This stone home is now the Galilee Centre.
After “an elaborate Luncheon” the oak sapling, prepared by the head gardener, was planted overlooking Lac Des Chats, on the Ottawa River.
An addition was made to the house in 1963 but the oak tree has been protected. An identifying plaque has been placed at the base of the tree.

This White Oak is approximately 250 to 300 years in age. The tree sits on a designated heritage site known as the Charles Smith House, built in 1828. Charles Smith had purchased 200 acres from the Crown in 1826.

The James Smith House built circa 1830 by a New England millwright is an excellent example of early rural vernacular architecture. The site, in the Village of Fallowfield, is on an escarpment known locally as Piety Hill and fronts onto one of the earliest settlement roads in Carleton County. The Charles Smith House was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1983 by Nepean City Council.

The last known descendant of James Smith who occupied this property was Doctor S. L. Everett Danby. Articles found in the historical archives make mention that Dr. Danby buried his first two wives at the base of this oak tree. Neighbors have indicated that there once were two head stone markers on the site but they have long since crumbled and no evidence remains of them.

There are accounts of valleys for as far as the eye could see populated by just American Beech. These were the prime locations for settlers to start farming since Beech thrived on fertile, agricultural soil. Wherever Beech plantations were found, they were quickly chopped down to make way for farming. That is why we find it quite miraculous that we can nominate this particular tree. Puslinch Township was no different than any other part of Ontario for its land clearing – by the 1930’s Puslinch was bare of trees.

This American Beech tree is on the 100 acres of land originally purchased in 1833 by the John McDiarmid family. The land was heavily forested but soon was cleared for farmland, with the timber used to construct a log cabin along with other farm buildings. In 1864, the log cabin was replaced for the present stone house. For some reason, this American Beech Tree was again spared and stands to the side of the stone house.

Now in 2016, this American Beech tree still stands at the corner of the House of Dove and is visited by many people coming to the National Presbyterian Retreat and Conference Centre. It will become part of the growing environmental stewardship program being shared with the public at Crieff Hills Retreat and Conference Centre.
‘The tree that would stand.’

This significant White Oak is more than 250 years old with a circumference of close to 4.5 meters. The current owners of the house, the Kerteszs’, bought the property back in 1954 because the couple loved the tree. The land has an interesting history having been owned by a succession of enterprising people over the years, including the Montgomery Family – of Mongomery’s Inn in Etobicoke (who owned it around 1880). Around 1950, Edmund Peachey, a progressive builder who developed Chestnut Hills where the tree is located. Peachey may have been the first builder to use double paned windows and an experimental product called drywall. This was Peachey’s first major project. He went on to become the award-winning developer of the builder of the iconic, modernistic and very successful Valhalla Inn. And now we come to today – The Kertesz couple. The late Fred Kertesz was an importer and one of his accounts was the Canadian importation of the internationally known PEZ candy. We are lucky that Tilllie and her late husband chose to purchase this property and have been such defenders of this remarkable tree.

The tree is over 125 years old and was planted around the year 1887 on the Bull Family property.

The Regal Heights neighborhood’s first settler of the land was Bartholomew Bull from Tipperary, Ireland. He came to this area in 1818. Bartholomew bull founded the Davenport Road Methodist Church. This church started in his house in 1830 and was called “Springmount”. The first school of the area was also founded in Bull’s home.

The tree is located in the SW part of the neighborhood in the immediate vicinity of the Davenport Road. This road was originally part of the Aboriginal trail that followed the ancient Lake Iroquois shoreline from the Don River to the Humber River.

The Bull family were founders of the Earlscourt district and prominent residents of the Junction area of Toronto.

The Bull farm was not sold and subdivided until the early 1900s.

This white oak is the official boundary marker in the first land deed in Upper Canada (now Ontario) signed in 1781 between the Chippawa and Mississauga Native Chiefs and the English Crown. The deed was for a four mile wide strip of land, paralleling the Niagara River, on the west side, running from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie. The land was transferred to King George III for 300 suites of clothing.

As described in the land deed, in order to mark the boundary of the said land, the four First Nations Chiefs chose a large white oak tree, forked 6 feet from the ground near Lake Ontario at a distance of 4 miles from the west bank of the Niagara River. In 1781 an indian trail now known as Lakeshore Road joined the mouth of the Niagara River with the indian encampment in the St. Catharines area. This deed also marked the official birth of Niagara on the Lake which held its 200th anniversary in 1981.

The white oak tree and its significance was discovered in 2012 during an investigation of the history of the war of 1812-1814 by Dave Lee and Abe Epp, Niagara on the Lake residents. The assessment of the tree was done with the assistance of Andrew Hordyk, a certified arborist of Arborwood Tree Service.

This large Red Oak was once a part of a 5,000 acre parcel of land originally awarded to Major John Smith in 1792 for his loyal service to his Majesty’s Forces, during the American Revolution. The Red Oak is inspiring, peaceful, strong and defiant having survived fierce storms such as Hurricane Hazel. Its large and beautiful crown provides habitat for squirrels, birds and insects alike and provides a wonderful source of shade for locals.

Over its lifetime, this rare tree has been witness to many changes. In 1851, the Gore Grist Mill stood on sloping land above Spencer Creek to the north-west of this Chinquapin Oak tree. When the mill closed in the late 1920s, the Fisher family gave the entire mill property, including the land where the tree stands, to the Town of Dundas. The Fisher’s Mill Park established in 2008 is now the spacious setting for the Chinquapin Oak, which continues to grow unimpeded and stands as a landmark near the western boundary of Dundas.

This magnificent tree has withstood changes to the local forest and has endured, original settlers/logging, pasturing, farming, and has returned to forest. This Shumard Oak is significant as a symbol for the stewardship efforts in South Western Ontario.

This majestic white oak is a distinguishable landmark in the Westminster Ponds/Pond Mills Conservation Area. This site is the largest publicly-owned Environmentally Significant Area in London and has been designated as a Provincially Significant Wetland. Cherished by the community, this beautiful tree is well over 250 years old and may have been witness to the region’s pre-settlement history. In its early days, this tree likely watched over Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe and his wife as they camped at the Westminster Ponds before hiking to the forks of the Thames in March of 1793. This tree also stood in close proximity to Swartz’s Tavern where the prominent Upper Canada Rebellion leader William Lyon MacKenzie stayed a guest in 1837.

This Black Cherry tree is located in Rose Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Prince Edward County. Culturally and historically, this tree has great significance as it is the landmark around which the cemetery was formed in 1790, and around which the first Marysburgh settlers in the County buried their dead. This has been proven by the Rose Cemetery Project, Conduced by Queen’s University, which uses Ground Penetrating Radar to confirm that the first burials emanate outward from the tree’s spokes. The original tree has been cut down but many smaller trees have grown out from this much older stump. This Black Cherry’s will to live on and still stand as a natural marker within the centre of the Rose Cemetery, makes it one of the most significant trees in Prince Edward County.

The bur oaks of Maryboro have lived to witness five empires – Huron, French, Iroquois, British and Ojibwa. The oldest and largest specimen, known to its admirers as the Grand Old Lady, has been estimated from a core at 380 years. For generations the Grove marked the head of the Fenelon Portage on the Trent River – on the fur trade route from Lake Ontario to Lake Huron. With colonization it became a focal point of James Wallis’ 1837 Maryboro Lodge – then the finest home in the region, and the Estate from which Fenelon Falls was subdivided. For the village it has always been a place for community events, strawberry socials and afternoon teas. Born in the era of the canoe, saw the Victoria Railroad come and go, and oversaw the construction of the Trent-Severn Waterway, National Historic Site.

This special oak tree is located on a vista of land overlooking the Humber River, a Canadian Heritage River that had its’ tenth anniversary in 2009. This indigenous species of the Humber River Watershed is also in the immediate vicinity of the Historic Toronto Carrying Place Trail. The first Nations of North America used this trail as their trade route. With the coming of the Europeans to North America, explorers, missionaries and mapmakers used and recorded this aboriginal “highway”.

The Gardiner Family of Toronto owned the property, on which this tree is located, from 1933 to 1950 which they called their summer state, “Rivermede”. Percy R. and Gertrude Gardiner’s son, daughter and both their spouses, all became recipients of the Order of Canada for their various contributions to our country.
Photo courtesy of Ms. Edith George – 2010

This tree is a fine example of a Carolinian species that is symbolic of the Deciduous Forest Region of Eastern North America. It is part of the most northern population of Tulip Trees in North America. According to local botanist Paul O’Hara, the Tulip Tree at 35 Cross is likely an original, rather than a planted tree. Based on examination of the tree.

The tree is in excellent health, according to criteria developed by the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Toronto. It flowers reliably. Tulip Tree seedlings appear regularly in surrounding gardens and many of these seedlings have found homes across the town of Dundas.

In addition to its importance to residents of the neighbourhood, the tree is something of a celebrity. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Japanese officials would come from time to time to measure the height and girth of the tree.  Apparently there was another Tulip Tree in Japan that was close in measurement to the Cross Street tree … it was important to them to see which tree was the largest. Buses full of tourists visiting Canada and the nearby Royal Botanical Gardens have been known to stop for a look at the tree.

John and Mary moved to Lot 9 on Concession 1. Mary was sent a pear from Boston, MA and subsequently planted it’s seeds on this lot. The tree grew successfully and was admired by many. In 1980 the tree was 165 years old and placed on the Ontario Honour Roll of Trees; but within the 1980’s the tree became dangerous and was chopped down. However, scions were grafted from the original and the Oshawa Community Museum managed to acquire two of these scions. They were planted in the Museum’s gardens in 2001 and continue to thrive there today.

This tree is likely greater than 200 years of age and is part of a remnant Carolinian Woodlot. The tree exists on a sand ridge once used by native indians as a travel cooridor all along Lake Erie. The tree itself is the largest in this woodlot but was once part of a group of large American Beech trees of which it is the only surviving member.

This tree is a distinguishable landmark marking the former border (before 1957) between Burlington and Aldershot; it is of unique age and size in Burlington; it is associated with the area’s first landowning settler, Joseph Brant (1742 – 1807).

In 1797 the Crown signed a treaty with the Mississauga nation to acquire the same block of land, which was then granted to Brant. The western boundary ran 45º NW from what is now Allview Avenue near what is now North Shore Boulevard (then a trail) to a point just past the Niagara escarpment. That boundary formed part of an earlier survey of land to the west, previously purchased by the Crown.

The Burlington Historical Society Archives includes copies of maps from 1797 to the early 20th century, showing the significance of “Brant’s Block” to the early and continuing development of Burlington.
The Burlington Horticultural Society, in association with the City of Burlington and the Royal Botanical Gardens, began a project in 1975 to establish Burlington’s Honour Roll of Trees, which included the Allview Oak and a note about its significance for Brant’s Block. The City of Burlington’s Inventory of Heritage Resources includes the Allview Oak.

Not only is this a SAR tree, and is of considerable size. Its location on the war of 1812 British Army encampment on the Thames River, gives it major historical significance. Early photos of this site, complete with tepees and barracks show the tree standing at approximately 30-40 feet. Tecumseh himself camped here for several days, before heading up the Thames River to be later killed only about 10 km from this site.

Throughout this tree’s 350 years, many changes have taken place to the land that it grows upon. For the last 35 years, it has been one of the focal points of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s maple syrup programs at Kortright Centre. This tree is known as “Grandpa Maple” and has been visited by approximately 1 million people.

This White Elm was identified by Henry Kock from the University of Guelph – Fox Arboretum, as an excellent specimen. Long upper branches sweeping down to street level, which is reminiscent of how the old Elms grew prior to the introduction of Dutch Elm disease. The size and crown shape of this tree, indicate its resistance to the disease and should be noted as an ideal tree to collect seed from for future propogation.

Tree is in front of the Aurora Cultural Centre, also known as the Church Street School, opened in 1886.  The building was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1981 and an Ontario Heritage Foundation plaque was erected at the site indicating this is one of the finest examples of a public school in the High Victorian manner.  The school was reportedly attended by Lester Pearson who later won the Nobel Peace Prize, became Prime Minister of Canada and oversaw the introduction of the Maple Leaf Flag.

Coronation Park was created in 1934 when the seawall was built from Strachan Avenue to Bathurst Street. A commemorative planting for the park was organized, inspired by war veterans.

The planting occurred on May 12, 1937. It was believed to be the largest ceremonial planting in Canada at the time. To provide a central focus to the park, a Royal Oak tree was planted in tribute to King George VI and surrounded by a ring of silver maples, symbolizing the countries of the British Empire.

A grove of maple trees was planted in memory of the many Canadian troops who fought overseas, one of which is being recognized here as a Heritage Tree.

The significance of this waterfront park was further enhanced when the World War II 50th Anniversary Memorial was unveiled at Coronation Park on November 14, 1995. The memorial is dedicated to the many Canadians who served their country at home and abroad. It was designed by John McEwen and features two pair of bronze gates in the shape of a ship’s prow. The openings and vistas formed by their north-south orientation provide entranceways which symbolize the departure of troops and their return home.

This sugar maple stands on a sand dune overlooking the eastern end of Lake Erie just west of the lakes confluence with the Niagara River.  The tree overlooks a beach where the Neutral Indians are known to have camped and harvested chert with which they made stone tools. The tree is about a mile from Old Fort Erie and quite likely observed preparations of British and Hessian infantry to retake the fort from American forces during the War of 1812. The tree is a landmark to boaters and fishermen on the lake and holds together the sand dune on which it stands.

The house behind the tree was built in 1895.  Originally, it was a retirement cottage for the director of Chalmers Church.  The church is located in the neighbourhood of the site.  The home was named the Mansfield Cottage.  It is estimated that the tree existed before the home was built.  The tree is now a spectacular focal point in this Elora neighbourhood and is greatly valued by all residents and visitors.

This tree received the first Community Heritage Tree plaque to be presented in Centre Wellington Township through their local Treasured Community Heritage Tree Program. This tree has now been nominated in the Ontario Heritage Tree Program.

This Eastern Cottonwood is very well-known locally.  While it is not quite the largest Eastern Cottonwood in the area (probably second largest though) it is still quite an attraction.  Unlike many large tree specimens, this tree is not growing in a park or along a roadside.  This Cottonwood is located deep in the woods at Bakus Mill Heritage Park.  The tree is quite the spectacle for any one wishing to go find it.  A well laid out trail will take you to the tree.  As you approach the tree it is easy to tell why it is so unique.  Towering well over the canopy level, this 40 M tall, 6 M around giant dwarfs all other trees around it.  It is likely 80-100+ years old, which is bordering ancient as far as Eastern Cottonwoods go.  This pioneer tree has helped establish and has witnessed the developement of the forest that surrounds it.

This Black Oak is amongst the earliest living examples of its species in Toronto. A remnant of the aboriginal forest and Black Oak Savannah, it is, with an estimated age of  200 – 250 years, one of the largest surviving Black Oaks. It is within a hundred metres of the Toronto Carrying Place and is on the land acquired from the Mississaugas at the Gunshot Treaty agreement of 1787 for the militarily crucial Carrying Place lands.

It is located on the Estate of Jaques Baby, Inspector General of Upper Canada. He purchased the land in 1813, and it remained in his family until the Government of Canada purchased it c. 1909, for use as the New Garrison Common. It was subsequently resold the following year to developer Robert Home Smith, who laid out the subdivision, building the impressive Humber Stone Entry Gates at Jane Street, with his own house at number one Baby Point Road (designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, Pt IV ) immediately inside the Gates.

Poet Raymond Souster (winner of the Governor General’s Award for Poetry) has written poems about the Tree – one in 1968 and another in 1991.

This tree is a remnant of the original forest that once resided in this area. The tree has been a landmark rooted at the 18th hole at Cataraquai Golf and Country since its opening in 1917. In addition to this, the tree is a prominant figure on the organization’s corporate logo and has been since 1933.

The Nicholas Family’s red oak is probably one of the largest red oaks in Ontario if not Canada.

The tree is part of an ancient oak savannah and is an indigenous species of the Humber River Watershed. It is a remnant oak whose acorns can be used to propagate quercus rubra.

It is a pre-settlement tree from before 1793, it is located in the immediate vicinity of the historic Toronto Carrying Place Trail. One family that owned the red oak, had family members, that have received in total, four Orders of Canada  for their various contributions to our country.

In the Year 2010, this red oak is to be featured in “Toronto Tree Portraits” calendar.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Glen Gauslin, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority – August 23, 2006.

This was a young tree when the French established their second trading fort, Fort Toronto in 1749 at the foot of the Portage on which the tree stands – the fort from which Toronto takes its name. It was part of the forest canopy by 1764 when Alexander Henry passed by on June 19th with a group of Mississaugas on his way to Fort Niagara from Mackinac, where he had been taken prisoner the previous year in the Pontiac wars.

It was a mature tree when Benjamin Frobisher passed by, recommending in a 1784 report, that the Northwest Company use this as the preferred route to the West. It witnessed the passage of Lieutenant Governor Simcoe on Wednesday September 25th, 1793, on his way to Penetanguishene.

The feet of the War Party dispatched by General Brock in 1812 to join Tecumseh and capture Fort Mackinac trod over the roots of this tree. Chief of the Mississaugas, Peter Jones passed by with his people, the Mississaugas of the New Credit, on their way to a meeting regarding their Treaty, with the Inspector General, Jacques Baby on his estate in 1828.

In the spring of 1997 this was one of a hundred and fifty oak trees along the Toronto Carrying Place, all 125 years old, which was proclaimed by Metropolitan Toronto as an ancient oak grove and named in honour of Tuhbanahneequay, daughter of Wabanosay, Chief of the Mississaugas at the time of the Toronto Purchase.

David Orsini, a local landscape architect, has been propagating acorns from this tree. The continuation of a local gene pool with a pedigree of more than three centuries is both remarkable and essential. It reflects the integrity of our natural heritage as a living entity.

The tree is of Provincial significance, possibly National, through its association with the Blake family.

It is located on the headwaters of Garrison Creek in what was the parkland of the Blake Estate, known as “Humewood”.Following a Mission in 1911, the Anglican congregation of St Thomas determined to establish a maternity home for unwed mothers. They purchased the Blake property near St. Clair and Bathurst Streets in 1912. The “Humewood House” opened on April 23, 1912.

The Blake house burnt down and was replaced by the present building, which opened February 12, 1925. Partnered with the Board of Education the Agency is one of the oldest and most respected organizations in the country, helping pregnant and parenting young women, ages 13-21.

The tree is well known and loved in the community. It was on a list of significant trees compiled by the arborists in the former City of York. It is clearly visible from St. Clair Avenue. It also dominates the well-treed park site despite the fact that it is separated from the park by the width of the roadway.

Wychwood Park is one of Toronto’s unique neighbourhoods, and its natural landscape is a critical part of it. Named after Wychwood Forest in Oxfordshire, it was founded in 1874, and is well known for its Arts & Crafts houses, Taddle Creek and pond, and 800 or so significant trees, including several hundred large White and Red Oaks, as well as Black Locust, Bassword, Beech and Hemlock. The Park, with 60 houses on 50 acres, was named a Heritage Conservation District in 1985.