Photos and Activities from Oak Bay’s Tree Appreciation Day, held on November 6, 2016, in Uplands Park.

Margaret Lidkea, Chair of the Friends of Uplands Park, sends photos and describes the wonderful community participation at Oak Bay’s Tree Appreciation Day, held on November 6, 2016, in Uplands Park.

Dear Friends

We had an amazingly lovely Tree Appreciation Day Nov 6, with families planting native plants, learning from Chris Paul about suitable trees to plant in our Urban Forest, how to stop winter moth attacks, watching Louis Burgess teach the kids how to tie proper knots in his equipment so he can climb into the tree canopies to prune, learning about invasive plants, meeting neighbours and snacking on coffee and treats. Iain Macleod even chain-sawed the tree that fell on Beach Drive nearby just before the event, restoring traffic within minutes. He then encouraged kids to plant a couple of Garry oak trees.

Thank you to all the FOUP Steering Committee for organizing displays, information and engaging the public with their enthusiasm and expertise. This included Wylie planting Camas bulbs, Anna, Emily and Angela planting licorice fern and spring gold, and Ron Carter leading the walk around Cattle Pt to see the efforts of Wylie’s team and volunteers to restore the area. Several volunteers also helped remove ivy on Sunday in the afternoon. Thanks also to Chris Hyde-Lay, Chris and Elizabeth G, Cathy S, Eric, Pam, Rick and Kathleen for setting up and working the information table and displays.

Thanks to those that have been so helpful on Cattle Point this Fall, removing some of this “carpet of death”, that also has a deadly impact on the Garry oak trees.
The area outside the ring road are coming along well, but still needs our help to remove all the ivy to protect the rare plants.
In the central area of Cattle Pt, he English ivy is still in full grip of the endangered Garry Oak Ecosystem in Uplands Park.