We asked people to help us find Toronto’s tree giants. In this category we looked for trees with the biggest circumference. Here are the ten finalists that take more than one person to hug:
Behemoth Oak - Jeff Munroe
When we moved in here nine years ago we were immediately awed by this giant oak that was encroaching on our front porch. Nine years later we are still in awe of our big oak ... its part of the family ... and it hasn't crushed our porch ... yet.
Cosmic Red Oak - Todd Smith
Here before European settlement of Toronto, this tree is simply the largest and most beautiful red oak I have seen. It is cosmic.
EtobicOak - Andrew
This gorgeous White Oak could probably win all categories, but I'm choosing to enter it in size because it is the largest oak I have ever seen in the city. Towering over 100 feet high, and 14 feet around at breast height, this beautiful tree stands proud and tall in Etobicoke near Kipling and Burnhamthorpe, estimated to be nearly 400 years old, it's current condition and health may see it through another 400. If you're in the area, check it out, give it a hug, it's been around a very long time, and will be around long after we've all turned to dust.
Glengrove Copper Beach - Suzanne Christie
We enjoyed this gorgeous tree for 30 years while living at 80 Glengrove. It was one of the main reasons it was so difficult to leave the house. I met more people because of their enjoyment of the tree than for any other reason. It is a city treasure that is likely visible from outer space! I would love to know how much oxygen it produces on a daily basis. I miss hugging it!
Humber Bur Oak - Matt Smith
This Bur Oak is over 80ft tall and is situated behind the Humber Arboretum. It is tradition for all the first year Arboriculture students at Humber College (where I teach) to climb this tree on the last day of school. As many as 30 climbers are in the same tree at the same time. You can't see the bottom of the tree in this photo but the lowest climber is about 30ft off the ground.
Morse Street Monster - Leigh D
One day I had to fetch a package from Purolator at bottom of Morse St. I was grumpy because I miscalculated where to park and had to walk (heaven forbid) a couple of blocks. Had that not happened, I might never have discovered the glorious street that is Morse south of Eastern Ave. -- a sweet little park, several beautiful old silver maples and hel-LO where have you been all my life, this ginormous hunk of tree gorgeousness. It stands out as largest of a row of giants. It fills its boulevard width from edge to edge. It's wider than the cars that park next to it. It's beyond fabulous! http://urbantrees.ca says it is 250cm dbh which would be monstrous indeed, but my dressmaker's tape measures it at 210 inches around.
The Mighty Oak - Lorne Hicks
I grew up in Swansea in the fifties; High Park was our playground and trees were meant to hide behind. At one time or another I've probably seen most of the black oaks in the park, but it wasn't until recently, after my son moved to High Park Gardens, that I discovered this mighty oak. Well over a hundred years old, it is a magnificent sight; awesome in its strength and dignity. My grandson Jack, with Molly, seems very small here, humbled by the majesty of nature.
The Plight of the Precious Red Oak - Edith George
It is only right that this precious red oak be nominated on Earth Day as it is one of (if not) the largest circumference size querus rubra in Toronto. The tree was recognized in the Forests Ontario Heritage Tree Program, years ago.No tree has been designated as a heritage tree since the amalgamation of the City of Toronto in 1999 and furthermore, documentation of this tree for heritage designation was brought to Toronto City Hall on July 4, 2007. The property where this remnant of our ancient forest was sold on Wednesday, April 15, 2015.I do not wish to have a requiem for this tree. It gives us hope for our Earth, that is in peril and as a urban survivor, truly deserves the right to live. We must add stricter protection laws for heritage trees in this city.
Titan - Eric V
Silver Maple trees are well known for being fast growing large trees, but this one is by far the largest I have ever seen. Measuring 7 feet across at its widest, the trunk of this behemoth almost eclipses the entire little bungalow behind it. Each of this tree’s 8 limbs are the size of large trees unto themselves. Every time a pass this tree I slow down and linger in the sense of awe that I get whenever I see it.
Toronto's Largest Horse Chestnut? - beaches tree lover
This really huge horse chestnut may be the biggest one in Toronto, so says an arborist who inspected it. The photo does not do it justice. It is magnificent.
The winner for each category will be announced at an awards ceremony on Wednesday June 24, 2015. We invite you to join us for the awards ceremony - it's free and open to anyone who loves trees. Come out and cheer for your favourites! Register today.
The Great Toronto Tree Hunt is supported by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation along with Ontario Power Generation and City of Toronto.