Highway of Heroes tree campaign

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The Vineland Research and Innovation Centre is helping to honour Canada’s military. When more than 100,000 trees are planted as a tribute to soldiers along the Highway of Heroes, the scientists at Vineland will have already tested the trees that will thrive.

It’s a living tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. 117 000 trees will be planted along the Highway of Heroes, 1 for every soldier since Confederation.

But scientists warn a lot of trees don’t thrive near a highway. “They’re planting them into less than ideal conditions and that’s leading to increased tree death.” said Erin Argo from the Vineland Research Centre.

That’s why researchers at the Vineland research centre are testing trees planted near the QEW for all kinds of potential problems.

Highway construction is a tree seedling’s worst enemy. The soil is hard and there’s not enough water. “Species we found such as birches, they’re not doing so well because they like moisture-ridden environments.” That’s why researchers planted these young trees inside the cloverleaf at highway 406 and Beaverdams.

The trees that do well in the test plots will be the ones Vineland research will recommend planting along the Highway of Heroes.

The Highway of Heroes tree campaign wanted to start planting before Remembrance Day but they have to wait until spring. The planting will happen over 5 years.