Burlington launches revitalized Honour Roll of Trees program

NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF BURLINGTON
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The City of Burlington has revitalized the Honour Roll of Trees program. Today, the program was officially launched with more than 120 trees of 75 different species across the city. Honour Roll trees have commemorative plaques installed on or adjacent to the tree.

To be considered in the Honour Roll of Trees program, a tree must be exemplifying the species size, structure, form, and health, be a rare species, and/or historically significant.

To commemorate the launch, members of City Council, City staff and members of the Royal Canadian Legion Burlington Branch gathered at Spencer Smith Park to celebrate three of the 120 trees included in the Honour Roll program. A plaque was placed in front of three maple trees that represent the three branches of Armed Forces.

They are a living memorial to the Veterans and their families that sacrifice so much to maintain the freedom of our nation.

Over the next few months, forestry staff will be completing the installation of additional plaques across Burlington to recognize the cultural and historical significance of trees in the city. A map of all the tree locations can found at www.burlington.ca/honourroll.

Residents will be able to nominate large, rare and historically significant trees located on public and private property. Nominations for the 2024 program will open in spring 2024.

Said Mayor Marianne Meed Ward: “The Honour Roll of Trees program is a great way to acknowledge our heritage, our community, and our environment and I’m happy to see it revitalized this year. Recognizing and preserving these historically significant trees reminds us of our commitment to protecting and expanding our urban canopy for future generations.”

Added Steve Robinson, Manager of Forestry: “Large, historic, and rare trees are very important to our tree canopy and tree diversity. These trees provide significant environmental and social benefits for the community and should be celebrated.”

The program was originally created in 1975 with staff and volunteer support from the City of Burlington, the Burlington Horticultural Society and the Royal Botanical Gardens. The original program recognized 110 trees. Over time some of the trees on the list were removed due to their health, storm damage or public safety risk.

To date, there are approximately 120 honour roll trees on both public and private property.

To learn more about the City’s Honour Roll of Trees program, visit www.burlington.ca/honourroll.

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