Apart from their use to a future environmental studies class, many of the species selected have long intertwined with human history. The oaks, of which we have six species, are well known for the folkloric connection with magic, and longevity; the old saying that an oak has 100 years to grow, 100 to live, and 100 to die overshadows our mere threescore and ten. Hickories, belonging to the Juglandaceae family, are well represented too. There is also a pecan (Carya illinoensis), a shellbark (C. laciniosa) and two shagbarks (C. ovata) all interesting for their rough bark, vibrant green leaves, and the nuts prized for their smoky flavour. Yorkdale's beeches (Fagaceae) include the burgundy European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and perhaps our most prized specimen, the endangered American Sweet Chestnut (Castanea dentata).

 

From this preserve, we are happy to help re-introduce this genetic treasure to its former habitat in southern Ontario and the five seedlings appear to be adapting well to their environment, though the future is uncertain. There are other deadly invaders as well afflicting the Toronto area.

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Meet The Neighbours

Castanea dentata

The American Sweet Chestnut at left is our one true experimental species, a life form all but eradicated by a blight (Endothia parasitica) first identified in the New York area in 1904. It thus joins a growing list of arboreal species under threat, along with the butternut, the elm, and the ash. However, the inadvertent introduction of this fungus 100 years ago is being remediated and the species may be undergoing a slow recovery.

In the spring of 2002, a Toronto newspaper reported that an isolated stand of the American chestnut had been discovered at the Grand River Conservation Authority in southwestern Ontario. After careful surveillance and propagation, robust seedlings that had somehow escaped the disease were put up for sale and a committee member brought back and distributed a dozen specimens.