“Tree identification is like a puzzle,” explained Brenna as she began the tour. She went on to tell us how identification of trees is an ongoing process, where experts and amateurs alike are always learning about new species and bits of information are discovered.
As the tour made its way through the winding paths of the Brick Works Park, fellow observers of nature and families joined the group, eager to learn. Our first stop along the tour identified the hardy staghorn sumac, which produces red clusters of fruit. The children and adults on the tour had a chance to savor the zingy lemon taste of the sumac berries.
We then moved on to examine the yellow branching of the majestic weeping willow tree and its extensive root system.
Brenna taught us special tricks to differentiate between many similar species, such as the white pine and the spruce. For example, the needles of the white pine come in bundles of five, whereas the needles of the spruce do not come in bundles!
On a serious note, ash trees were discussed near the end of the tour, specifically in relation to the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) epidemic threatening ash trees in southwestern Ontario and beyond. These larvae feed under the bark of the ash trees, disrupting the vascular system, which transports water and nutrients within the tree. The Emerald Ash Borer can be identified by the D-shaped exit hole formed on the bark. After spotting a frail ash tree, we were actually able to identify this small ‘D’ for ourselves!
We also learned how to differentiate between white and red oaks, which commonly get mistaken for one another. White oaks are characterized by their rounded lobes, compared to red oaks which have sharply toothed and pointed lobes.
Saturday’s sunny tour at Brick Works highlighted the extensive diversity of trees located in the green pockets of our beautiful city. As the journey came to a close, I can confidently say that the tour’s participants received informative, interactive and interesting insights on the region’s trees, what to grow in their own backyards, as well as what to look out for!
LEAF’s Tree Tours in Toronto are supported by Ontario Power Generation’s Biodiversity Program.
Élyse Comeau is a LEAF volunteer and an aspiring urban planner, currently finishing her undergraduate degree in human geography, politics, and history at the University of Toronto. With a passion for sustainable development, her next step is to attend graduate school for City Planning.