Lifeline for red oak out on a limb
The oldest tree in Toronto could be facing the axe.
The 350-year-old red oak is on a residential lot in North York, near Sheppard Ave. and Weston Rd. It’s within walking distance of Summerlea Park, the Humber River and Carrying Place Trail — a major portage route that linked Lake Ontario with Lake Simcoe and the northern Great Lakes. The river, and the portage route, was a primary transportation circuit for Indigenous people and, later, European fur traders. Imagine the stories this tree could tell. The owner of the home, which the red oak now abuts, fears the dwelling may no longer be livable since, as the tree grows, it “squeezes” the house with its trunk and branches, and its roots push against the foundation.
The property is now on the market for about $800,000. And the City of Toronto is considering buying the land, and the tree, and turning it into a parkette while saving the historic red oak. A final decision is pending, while discussion and study of the situation goes on, and a price is negotiated with the property owner.
For those of us interested in saving the tree, time is of the essence.
Some Torontonians, with a keen sense of history and appreciation for Toronto’s oldest tree, have challenged the city to meet them half way. Edith George, a long-time advocate for heritage trees, is leading a coalition of private citizens to raise half of the value of the real estate, approximately at $325,000. A 6-yearold schoolgirl, Sophia Maiolo, has already raised more than $600 to save the tree that her mother says she is “in love” with.
We are supportive of George’s group, and this mission to save a piece of our city’s living history.
( Editor’s note: In the fundraising campaign, Mark has pledged $100,000 from a special philanthropic fund on behalf of his family. His financial pledge is incumbent on the City of Toronto raising half of the money to buy the property, and the citizens’ coalition raising the other half.)
The 350-year-old red oak is significant, and one of the reasons is its remarkable age. When Toronto — then York — was founded in 1793, this tree was already 130 years old. It would have towered over most of the area’s canopy, sequestering carbon, cooling the atmosphere and producing oxygen as only a large tree can.
Secondly, what the red oak represents is significant. There is only one “oldest” tree in our city. When it is gone, another tree will be given the title. But it won’t be 350 years old, and it may not be in a state of health that makes it worthy of saving, as this one is.
To a very large degree, we need to save this tree because we can.
Third, the location and age of this tree has special significance to Indigenous peoples. It is considered sacred by many.
During the War of 1812, when the U.S. thought it was a good idea to invade Canada and claim our country as their own, 35,000 Americans came to fight the 5,000 Indigenous, Métis, British and Canadian people who defended our border. American founding father and president Thomas Jefferson famously said that it would be, “A mere matter of marching.”
The result was a draw: the Americans left without a win and Canada didn’t give up any real estate to them.
But without the help of our Native peoples, specifically the peoples of the Six Nations, historians agree that we would most certainly be American today after having lost the War of 1812.
We owe a debt of thanks to our Native countrymen. With this in mind, our attention is drawn to Toronto’s oldest tree and the residential lot that surrounds it.
What a fitting tribute to the efforts and sacrifice made by Indigenous peoples, on behalf of us all.
This giant of a tree represents a city with a deep and rich history; a city with many stories that are buried and long forgotten.
We believe that now — today — is the best time to remind ourselves of our history, to acknowledge past mistakes and to make good on the promise to “never forget.” It is true, we have not always treated our heritage trees or Indigenous people with the respect that they deserve.
And now we have an opportunity to not repeat past mistakes.
Ultimately it will be up to the people of Toronto to determine what happens to this hugely significant tree.
So let us ask a few questions: What kind of city do you want to live in?
What is the price of tearing down the historical elements that mark our time here?
How does our treatment of a 350year-old tree demonstrate our values? For better? Or for worse?
Politicians are elected to be the servants of the people. Ultimately, they will make decisions for the city based on what they believe constituents want.
And, with a municipal election just months away on Oct. 22, now would be the ideal time to let your local government know what you think.
Toronto Mayor John Tory last month encouraged supporters of the tree to start a crowdfunding campaign to show their interest in efforts to save the tree. Consider making a donation through this important effort at gofundme.com/ toronto 039s - 350- yr- old - red - oak - tree.
Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author, broadcaster, tree advocate and holds the Order of Canada. His son, Ben, is a fourthgeneration urban gardener and graduate of University of Guelph and Dalhousie University in Halifax. Follow them at markcullen.com, @markcullengardening, on Facebook and bi-weekly on Global TV’s Morning Show.