Trees of Queen’s Park: August 2020

During my five year, later-in-life teaching career, we once had a group of First Nation’s children from north of the Arctic Circle visit the school for a week. They were taken to Canada’s Wonderland, Niagara Falls and elsewhere. The aspect of Southern Ontario that most fascinated them was TREES. At the ringing of the bell after each recess, we had to fetch them from high in the trees.

Today I visited the park north of the Ontario Legislative Building.

Ontario Legislative Building

Here there are many long-lived trees both native and from abroad.

Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Sycamore Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) also called Scotch Maple
Sycamore Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) also called Scotch Maple
European Birch
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)
Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
Linden (Tilia cordata)
Flowering Cherry (Prunus)
Red Oak acorns
Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
White Pine cone (Pinus strobus)
Filbert Tree (Hazletnut) Corylus avellana
Pin Oak (Quercus palustris)
marker showing that tree has been treated to prevent Emerald Ash Borer infestation
Red Maple (Acer rubra)
also called Wych Elm
Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
Cherry (Prunus)
London Plane (Platanus hybrida)
Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

Part of the park is currently fenced off:

Views from the park:

Squirrel
War Memorial
Squirrel
Edward V11
Edward V11

Some birds:

House Sparrow (male)
Rock Pigeon
Rock Pigeon
juvenile American Robin
European Starling

NATURE POETRY

Gently I stir a white feather fan,
With open shirt sitting in a green wood.
I take off my cap and hang it on a jutting stone;
A wind from the pine-trees trickles on my bare head.       – Li Po (700–761) 

Miles Hearn

3 thoughts on “Trees of Queen’s Park: August 2020

  1. Marilyn Bunker

    You have piqued my interest and I now will plan a field trip to Queens Part. I’ve gone past the park many times admiring the small oasis in the city but never spent time there. Thank you for sharing your experience.
    I look forward to your posts everyday. And I really enjoy the poetry.
    Wishing you good health,
    Marilyn

    Reply
  2. Lisa Volkov

    Queen’s Park has a wonderful collection of trees. During my time at U. of T., I enjoyed spending time among them. Some of the biggest and best have had to come down over the years, and I am glad they are doing what they can to keep them healthy. Thanks for the pictures. Loved the bulldog with the big branch (presumably not torn from the tree!)
    Thanks, Miles!

    Reply

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