Since 2018, LEAF has been working with Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) tenants to improve canopy cover and community ties through the TCHC Planting and Stewardship Program. The program offers shrubs and trees free of cost to TCHC tenants and supports tree stewardship activities carried out by tenants who care for their newly planted trees.
One of these incredible tenants, Catherine is a seasoned gardener who has been caring for two trees, a Freeman maple and hackberry, at her Scarborough-based community since 2021. Catherine highlighted the ability of urban trees to enhance microclimate, sequester carbon and provide beauty. Catherine also described how other community members’ enjoyment of a greenspace was increased by seeing her stewardship efforts.
Our Community Housing Stewardship Coordinator, Jeremy Lewis, spoke with Catherine to learn more about her experiences and motivations in caring for community trees.
What interested you in planting trees at your property?
"We had some open space on the shady side of the building. I knew that the trees would be a lot easier to maintain due to not having too much sun or wind. The trees were definitely a bonus to have there because they created such a lovely looking area around the picnic tables and benches and gave it a really nice feel. Before planting the trees, it was open and the grass didn’t really look nice – but the trees really made it look nice."
Freeman maple tree cared for by Catherine Liscumb. © 2023 Jeremy Lewis / LEAF
What has been the most meaningful aspect of the program for you?
"I'm a tree hugger, and I don't like people cutting down trees, at all. If you’re in the wood business and you're a logger, I’m the other person who comes behind you and puts a tree in there."
What’s the main motivation for you to care for these trees?
"Sucking up the carbon dioxide – suck up all the carbon, as much as possible! That’s why I say don’t cut down big trees: because they suck up the most carbon. People don’t realize how much trees keep the heat down in the city. The more green spots that we have, the better off the environment will be and the cooler the city will be."
Hackberry tree cared for by Catherine Liscumb. © 2023 Jeremy Lewis / LEAF
What would you say to other TCHC tenants to inspire them to get involved in stewardship activities?
"Try to make your place as beautiful as possible, so that when you go outside to sit in the summertime you can look at whatever garden you would like to look at. It’s about enhancing your daily experience."
What impact has your stewardship of the trees and garden had on other tenants?
"… Life isn’t so nice all the time. There’s a lot of sick people here. If they get a chance to go outside, if they get a chance to sit by the garden, they really enjoy it. And if they see you working on the garden, they even enjoy it more because they can’t do that work anymore.
When they sit by the garden, they say, ‘did you see that big weed there, are you pulling it out today’, and I’m saying, ‘yeah I am, I’m pulling all these weeds out today and cleaning this whole place up!’ They say, ‘ah you’re doing such a great job, I just love the garden!’
Pretty on the outside, pretty on the inside."
Thank you, Catherine, for sharing how nurturing greenspaces can improve the climate and community, and for all the care and effort you put in through the TCHC Planting and Stewardship Program!
Jeremy Lewis is the Community Housing Stewardship Coordinator at LEAF.
The TCHC Planting and Stewardship Program is implemented by LEAF, TCHC and the City of Toronto. It is funded by the City of Toronto through an Urban Forestry Grant and the TD Green Space Grant program from TD Bank Group and the Arbor Day Foundation.
