While Tantramar may be known for marshes, it’s also home to plenty of trees – some of which you may even think are terrific.
At least, that’s the hope behind a new program the municipality started in March of this year.
Tantramar’s Terrific Trees program aims to highlight some of those that may have historical or cultural significance, as well as to create more opportunities for residents to appreciate the nature present around them, said Jamie Ferguson, Tantramar’s manager of active living and culture.
“I think we all know the value of trees, but sometimes they’re in the background, and we don’t think of them or their significance necessarily. But they all do have stories to tell, so this is a way to capture stories of some of the potentially more prominent trees that have played a role in folks’ lives here in the municipality.”
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Trees recognized by the program are added to an online map, where people can also see information like their common and scientific name, size and why they are significant.
Currently, two trees are recognized by the program, both selected by the municipality: the paper birch stand in the Sackville Waterfowl Park, as well as the massive copper beech tree outside the Tantramar Veterans Memorial Civic Centre.
While work is being done to verify some trees brought forward by the Tantramar Heritage Trust and a few other groups, the rest will, ideally, come from resident nominations, said Ferguson.
“ We’re hoping it’s going to be more nominations coming forward from the residents to see what they appreciate and what they see through their eyes, and not sort of, you know, a municipal take on what those trees are.”
Nominating a tree is straightforward. Online there is a form to complete, which includes a few questions, like where the tree is located and why it deserves to be nominated.
After that, municipal staff will work with the nominator to ensure all the information is accurate and, if the tree is on private property, checking that it is okay to promote that tree on the website.
“ And then, you know, ideally we would meet the nominator out on site to take photos, confirm it’s the right tree, confirm the species of the tree, take some measurements to get a sense of how big it is,” he said. “And that’s stuff that we could monitor year over year as well, just to keep a life history of the tree as it grows.”
As for what trees should be considered, Ferguson had a few ideas.
“ So trees that might be unique to the area or trees that provide habitat for a bird nest or something like that,” said Ferguson. “Trees that might have historical significance if they’re older and, you know, are tied to some of the historical sites in Tantramar, or just cultural significance that may have been planted with a plaque dedicated to someone of prominence in the community. “
The program is intended to run for as long as there is public interest and folks looking to participate can head to the Tantramar’s Terrific Trees page, under the active living and culture section of Tantramar’s website.
In the meantime, Ferguson can’t wait to learn what trees residents think are terrific.
“We’re looking forward to folks kind of putting trees forward and seeing it grow and (seeing) what trees hold value to individuals here in the community and what stands out to them as being kind of a terrific tree here in Tantramar.”
