Revitalizing Caledonia’s downtown greenery

Featured image for Revitalizing Caledonia’s downtown greenery

By Joanne Dorr

The Haldimand Press

CALEDONIA—Thanks to a new tree revitalization project, Haldimand is proposing the replacement and addition of new trees to line selected streets in downtown Caledonia.

Caledonia has been identified as having a downtown area that would benefit from the tree revitalization program. It includes Caledonia’s downtown portions of Argyle Street North, Caithness Street East, and Caithness Street West. 

Since it has been roughly 10 years since the last tree planting project, many of the trees planted at that time are no longer viable. With a view to keeping the existing healthy trees, this project identified both the surviving trees and proposals for the locations of new ones. Combined, the proposed trees along with existing ones will contribute a total of 49 trees to Caledonia’s downtown core. 

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In consultation with Pl.ural, a company whose areas of specialization include landscape design and rural communities, Haldimand County presented the initial plan for the project at an online public consultation meeting last Wednesday. Hosted by Pl.ural Consultant Project Manager Sean Kelly and Adam Chamberlin, Project Manager of Forestry for Haldimand County, the meeting brought forward both concerns and enthusiasm for the project. BIA Coordinator Kathy Marshall says, “I’m thrilled about this project. We are very excited about this.”

Among the concerns expressed by the attending public were the resilience of the proposed trees and visibility of business locations. These objections were met with reassurances that native tree species like Kentucky Coffeetree, Hackberry, and Freeman Maple will be considered to ensure the longevity of the trees and creative green ideas were discussed to address the visual barriers the trees present for some business locations.

Unlike the plan that was implemented roughly a decade ago, the 2023 plan has eliminated the metal barriers that surround the main stump of the proposed trees. With a view to maintaining the trees Marshall says she is “totally in favour of not having the guards around the trees.” Probing further into caring for the trees, Marshall was reassured by Chamberlain that tree grates will have an 18” opening in the middle where the tree is growing, making it easy to remove weeds and add mulch.

Barring any delays to the original timeline, the project will see construction begin this summer with tree planting taking place in the fall. To learn more about this project visit haldimandcounty.ca.