Moose Jaw’s Tree of Significance 2018

What would Moose Jaw’s urban space be without trees?

In Celebration of National Forest Week, the honour of being this year’s “Tree of Significance” has been awarded by the City of Moose Jaw. The City’s Tree of Significance program encourages residents to take notice of and appreciate our local Urban Forest, as well as bringing awareness to a tree of special significance in our city, said Sarah Regent, City Park’s Gardener.

This year’s Tree of Significance is located on the Saskatchewan Polytechnic campus. The large Tatarian maple is a rare species and was honoured specifically this spring to display red dresses as part of the REDress Exhibit that was part of the Atamiskākēwak National Gathering held in April. Individuals are encouraged to appreciate the trees that beautify our urban environment as greenery in the spring/summer months and a myriad of reds, golds and copper during this fall season. Even in winter, trees are beautiful with their branches stretched forth in barren gracefulness, gilded in frost.

They not only give us protection from the elements by cooling streets in the city, they help to reduce energy demand in homes during summer months. Trees help to absorb pollutants and provide oxygen, help soil erosion and save water in the soil around them, block noise pollution and provide a habitat for wildlife. They are invaluable in improving our mental and physical well-being by helping to decrease blood pressure and stress levels, while providing great places for groups to gather together as in parks. When it comes to dollars and sense, they increase property values.

Trees of Significance have been awarded since the program’s inception in 2011 and can be seen on the City of Moose Jaw’s website: https://moosejaw.ca/parks/horticulture/tree-of-significance/tree-ofsignificance.