Projects - Tree Sanctuary
Our Cost Recovery Program
Trees are supplied for both public and private locations on a bottom-line cost-recovery basis. Cost-recovery is determined annually based on private donations and subsidized funding which goes directly to offset related out of pocket expenses. Cost includes the hole, a large pail of moisture retaining mulch, plus a handful of time release fertilizer to give it that initial boost.
Though we do nurture over fifty species, at any given time, quantites are limited. In quantities of ten otrmore, mixed or single species, we will arange to plant them properly for you at no additional cost. It is not our policy to plant trees where we know their species will not do well.
Ninety-nine percent of our trees, shrubs and vines are native, grown from seed indigenous to the area. Our interest leans strongly to nut, berry and flower producuing hosts, for birds, bees, butterflies and small animals. Our goal is to rectreate sustainable environments, diverse in songbirds, small animals, bees, reptiles, trees, butterflies and flowers. There they'll mingle thriving as Nature intended along the trails within the parks, and hidden nooks and crannies shared so frequently by man.
THE TREE SANTUARY came into being the spring of 1999. What it actually was and is today is an L-shaped chain-link fenced area with locking gates. It was originally an ill located preschool children's play area. However, due to poor drainage, water remained for weeks in the spring and sat on the location for days after each rain.
As a result dog owners took advantage during the periods of disuse and let their dogs romp freely fogether within the fenced enclosure. Not a healthy place for baby sitters, young parents and grandparents to bring small childern to play.
Greenspaces For Wellington, the recently incorporated, environment oriented, volunteer group needed a place to on-grow rescued seedlings of trees, schrubs and vines which they found self-sowm in many of the areas monitered. It turned out to be a win, win situation for all.
Extensive children's play equipment was installed in other parks. the dog problem solved by locking gates. The water problem simply solved by spreading a 4" layer of moisture retentive wood chips over the entire area, leaving a base on which to establish 2000 trees, shrubs and vines in 8, 10 and 12" pots. Hydro was added in order to pump un-chlorinated water, a must for young seedlings, from the nearby river.
Ten tandem connected holding tanks were added for easy access when water is required during potting. Twelve black composting bins were added to accommodate weedy garden debris gathered from monitered flowerbeds. One third of our potting soil mix is derived from the breakdown of this compost into HUMUS which is rich, black and fertile.
A wrap around cedar shingle roofed, open potting shed was designed, compatible to the location and added to the inner fence. There you have it - The Tree Sanctuary.
THE MEANING OF LIFE IS TO PLANT A TREE UNDER WHOSE BRANCHES YOU DO NOT EVER EXPECT TO SIT.
Annually 800 to 1000 trees, schrubs and vines are nutured to sufficient competitve size to be out planted in selected public and private places in, around and beyond the fringes of Wellington County.
The Tree Santuary is located in Confederation Park across the road from Caressant Care Nursing Home on Queen St. East in Fergus. Though it, and it's surrounding butterfly garden can be easily viewed from the street level above, an appointment must be made to go with in.
SUPPORTIVE DONATIONS OF $100, $500 AND $1000 OR MULTIPLES THEREOF, INDIVIDUAL, CORPORATE OR FOUNDATION WILL BE REWARDED WITH A PLAQUE OF RECOGNITION PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED AT THE TREE SANCTUARY.
