A black walnut tree in Woodlawn Memorial Park is getting some much-needed attention this weekend, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Guelph Tree Trust. The tree, believed to possibly predate the cemetery, may have been planted by a squirrel, according to the trust. This Saturday, a team of trained arborists, led by Doug Steel from Full Circle Tree Care, will be climbing high to provide specialized care for the tree.

The public is invited to learn more about the importance of caring for mature trees at this event, which runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those attending are encouraged to bring binoculars to get a closer look at the work being done.

The Guelph Tree Trust, which became a part of the city’s green initiative in 2022, is run by volunteers in partnership with Guelph Urban Forest Friends. The group focuses on the preservation and care of mature trees located on institutional, commercial, or not-for-profit properties within the city.

For organizations like Woodlawn Memorial Park, the cost of specialized tree care can be prohibitive. As Rebecca Kit, general manager of the cemetery, pointed out, many of the park’s beautiful trees would face neglect if not for the Tree Trust’s intervention.

Through charitable donations from the community and corporate sponsors, the Guelph Tree Trust is able to invest in the preservation of what they call “irreplaceable legacy trees.” Their mission is to protect the city’s existing tree canopy, ensuring that mature trees continue to thrive for the benefit of future generations and the environment as a whole.