GreenUP is a charitable partner on the Trees 4 Peterborough initiative, proudly supporting the project through all five years of delivery and assisting in the planting of over 2,000 trees in local parks. In this week’s column, GreenUP is excited to invite Leighanne Howard, City of Peterborough’s urban forest program manager, to share an update on the program, and details of the latest planting at Wedgewood Park.
The urban forest is comprised of both private and publicly owned trees. The City of Peterborough’s urban forest program is responsible for planting new trees on municipal road allowances, in parks, and reforesting open spaces.
Planting new trees is essential to maintain and increase urban forest and the many benefits trees provide the community.
It also supports the city’s long-term goal of achieving 35 per cent canopy cover by 2051, as outlined in the Urban Forest Strategic Plan.
Studies are currently being conducted to review the canopy loss associated with the 2025 ice storm. The use of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) as well as updating the city tree inventory will provide a data-driven foundation for planning future tree planting programs.
The city’s urban forest tree planting program focuses on recovering tree losses due to emerald ash borer and annual loss due to risk and extreme weather events with the goal to restore ecological services, improve tree species diversity for climate resilience, and create a healthier, greener city for future generations.
Trees are stalwart natural allies in mitigating climate change. They maintain the health of water systems by intercepting rainfall, which reduces flooding; they improve air quality through absorption of carbon dioxide and lessening heat build-up in the city; and they provide important habitat for wildlife.
Tree planting in action
During National Forest Week — Septemeber 21 to 27 — the city hosted two successful community planting events. On Saturday, September 20, more than 100 volunteers gathered at Wedgewood Park on Fairmount Boulevard to plant 515 native trees as part of the Trees 4 Peterborough initiative.
Founded by city councillor Lesley Parnell, the event was supported by RBC Dominion Securities, The Excelsior Group, Merrett Home Hardware, Super 8 Peterborough, and East Side Mario’s. The Rotary Club of Peterborough and GreenUP also played key roles in making the event a success.
“This is an investment in the health and vitality of Wedgewood Park and this neighbourhood. These trees will help create a welcoming space for families and residents to enjoy for years to come,” said Monaghan Ward councillors Matt Crowley and Don Vassiliadis in a joint statement.
“We are proud to see our community come together through the Trees 4 Peterborough program to make such a lasting contribution to our ward.”
In addition, 305 native trees were planted in the park at Rogers Cove with support from Drew Merrett Home Hardware and funding from Tree Canada, further contributing to the city’s canopy restoration effort.
Trees 4 Peterborough initiated plantings over the last few years in Kiwanis Park (2024), Bears Creek Woods Park (2023), and Farmcrest Park (2022) and along the Rotary Park Greenway Trail (2021).
The city also partners with GreenUP in the Peterborough Community Orchard Stewards project by participating in stewardship days and by providing new fruit trees to be planted.
A community effort
The success of the tree planting across the community depends not only on city resources, but also on community involvement. Residents are encouraged to participate in planting events, help care for newly planted trees, and support urban forestry initiatives in their neighbourhoods.
“Trees 4 Peterborough has made a tremendous difference in strengthening our urban forest and creating greener, healthier spaces across our city,” says Parnell. “(The September 20th) tree planting at Wedgewood Park is another wonderful example of how this program brings people together to make improvements in our neighbourhoods.”
With increased staffing and funding for tree stock, Peterborough is well-positioned to recover from past losses and build a more resilient urban forest. The city’s commitment to biodiversity, ecological function, and climate adaptation is evident in every tree planted.
Peterborough is growing greener — one tree at a time.
Residents that currently do not have trees in the municipal road allowance adjacent to their homes are encouraged to request a new tree to be planted through the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) initiative by filling out a form at form.peterborough.ca/Urban-Forestry/Tree-Planting-Request.
