Trees can be very resilient, growing in the most unlikely places or surviving urban stresses such as development or storms. Here are the 10 finalists' photos and stories about trees that seemed to have survived against the odds:
1850s Tolman Sweet Apple - Chris Nolan.ca
Originally planted in the front yard of the Gibson family home sometime in the mid 1800s, this Tolman Sweet Apple tree, despite having no heartwood in it’s trunk (you can stand inside of it) it is still alive and kicking. Two new giant condos were built around the tree, official opened this weekend, and the North York Historical Society and the Toronto City Museums have worked hard to keep it alive over the years. The family home it once belong to still stands as a city museum, and grafts from the tree have been planted in the neighbourhood for years.
Bur Oak - A Kingsway Gem - Property Owner
This great Burr Oak tree is definitely a survivor as it is known as one of the largest and possibly older trees in the neighbourhood. The tree soars about twice as high as our 2 story home, and is nearly 15 feet in diameter. The tree stood tall long before the neighbourhood homes were built in the early 1940s, and has survived some major injury that caused a 7 foot tall wound that an arborist calls “a great old wound,” which is now starting to close in on itself.
The tree most recently stood strong during the December 2013 ice storm while the Silver Maple on the north side of our property lost 4 major branches. Our tree will be a survivor for years to come as many of the neighbours, including the Kingsway Tree Preservation” are what they call “protectionist” over the tree. As many homes in the area are building upward and outward, this tree is closely eyed to make sure it is well protected as it is a Kingsway gem.
Graveyard Survivor - Leo J
Between the headstones in this graveyard, an old gnarled tree endures. It has grown over and almost completely enveloped the now rusted metal stake that would have once held it upright as a sapling. Its limbs have long since been removed, but a tangle of new branches have filled their place, giving this tree a unique and oddly fitting shape in this resting place.
Guildwood Junior's Elm - Rose Mitchell Spohn
For decades, the students at Guildwood Junior Public School in Scarborough have enjoyed playing in a well-shaded school yard that boasted dozens of mature trees. They played around, under, and in the case of trees with multiple stems, in these trees. Over the years, trees have fallen down or been chopped down due to old age, disease, or storm damage. During the current academic year, more than 30 ash trees were cut down because they had fallen victim to the Emerald Ash Borer. Now, all that remains in the school yard where the students play is a single mature tree – an elm.
This elm is a reminder of the dozens of tall trees the school once had; however, as a survivor, it is also a sign of hope for the future, that once more, the students will have a well-shaded area in which to play. The elm stands proudly at the edge of one of the school’s Nature Study Areas. This is a space where students have planted a wide variety of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. This is an area where the students will be able to study nature.
Imperfect Beauty - Andrea Baumann
I noticed this tree in High Park because it wasn’t surrounded by people with cameras, like the other cherry trees were. It stood out to me because of its imperfection. Someone has carved one side of the trunk into a design (ouch!) and the other side of the trunk has interesting knots and ridges. Half the tree seems dead, yet the other half is full of the blossoms of new life. This tree is a survivor and is not ashamed of its odd appearance. Though ignored by the throngs of cherry blossom admirers, this tree is my favourite tree in the High Park cherry grove because of its resilience.
Queen of the Street - Melanie
I want to nominate this glorious tree for every single category in the Great Toronto Tree Hunt, but will limit myself to one. Not for Beauty... although she is to me. I know her, and love her. I say hello to her in all seasons, as I cycle past on the north side of Christie Pits. She towers. I call her Queen of the Street. A trunk sixteen feet in circumference, and 150 years old, a neighbour told me.
This tree is an American elm. When I was a little girl, I remember all the elms lining my parents’ street disappearing from Dutch Elm disease. Just... gone. It happened so fast. A decade ago I discovered a few mature survivors in a Toronto cemetery. I was so happy that a few were still with us. So few left now. This one, in the heart of the city, has survived, somehow. This is an elm tree that has been treated and cared for. Saved ! - for me to enjoy and to appreciate, (and I hope for you too).
Roncy's Heritage Designated Centurian - Roncy Works (community group)
Roncesvalles’s - now Heritage Designated, century old Silver Maple is a an example of miraculous urban survival. Soaring about 11 metres above a busy Toronto street, it has endured decades of reconstruction, foot traffic and car emissions. In fact, at about 125 years old this City Silver Maple is believed to be Toronto’s oldest surviving - street flanking tree - in a commercial district.
Survivor - Edith George
I took this photo on Monday, December 22, 2013, just a few days after Toronto’s historic ice storm. As I walked around the corner to see how the great oak had faired in the storm, I could see neighbours and friends with their chainsaws out cutting down limbs of trees that were ready to go into the roofs or windows of their homes.… and that I saw the great red oak and my heart soared. Not one twig nor branch was broken off this tree. The tree had survived this horrific storm and gave me hope for a planet that is in peril. The great red oak gave us all hope.
The Lonely Tree - Lina Rahman
Although this tree is surrounded by others, and together they create quite a beautiful tree canopy in the summer; there is something about looking at it in isolation, in the spring before it blooms. The tree looks onto an urban landscape across the lake, itself being only steps from the Gardiner, stands proud, having survived yet another year/winter in the city.
The Old Sage - Brenda Sturino
Welcoming with open arms, marking the entrance to Great Oak Drive stands a remarkable character, “The Old Sage”. Both stunning and relentless, a perfect creation of profound beauty commands your attention. Regardless of age ( well over 100! ) and many natural disasters ( horrific floods, torrential rains, hurricane force winds ) this marvellous tree, the Great Oak, the street’s namesake has stood the test of time, steadfast and strong. However, lightening struck and two missing limbs have left their over sized scars.
Until this fateful event, this oak had been a specimen of perfection. An enormous gnarled trunk, meandering branches stretching and reaching over the entire width of the street topped by ever changing fashion. Spring brings a light, airy look, summer a bolder statement of greenery, fall a rich array of the colours red, orange and brown, winter reveals the naked truth of sound structure and rugged good looks. No matter what the season, the Great Oak is wise beyond its years harbouring many special secrets and heartfelt stories, hence the title, “The Old Sage”. A recent muse for my creations as an artist; I have studied, sketched and captured many of the personality traits of this eternal beauty. My old friend, a true “survivor” to be loved and admired by many more generations to come.
Five of the finalists were determined through popular vote and the other five were selected by LEAF. Our amazing and talented judges will pick one winner in each category to 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.