Spring is the time to plant trees. To encourage more of this the Muskoka Heritage Foundation is once again offering native trees and shrubs for sale at nominal prices on Saturday, May 3/03.

  “This is our 4th year for the tree sale,” says Bill Dickinson, chair of the Natural Heritage Committee, “ and it is doing very well.” “We wanted to make these trees available to individuals throughout Muskoka,” Bill states, explaining that the annual tree sale is an extension of the Muskoka Heritage Foundation’s Naturalize Muskoka Challenge.

  The objective of the challenge, as outlined in their brochure, is to encourage individuals, businesses, schools and governments to green up Muskoka’s urban and industrial areas by planting native trees, shrubs and ground covers on properties where natural vegetation has been lost.

  “Muskoka’s developed areas do not have to look like barren landscapes,” their brochure states, explaining that “Muskoka’s native plants, shrubs and flowers can soften the edges of our urban environment and provide space for socializing, solitary reflection and interaction with nature.”

  The resulting benefits include restored bio-diversity, habitat and food for wildlife, giving a ‘Muskoka’ look to urban areas, as well as the reduction of both energy and water resource consumption and landscape maintenance. Tree planting also improves water, soil and air quality.

  When a business, school or government accepts the naturalization challenge to do more with their property the Muskoka Heritage Foundation works with the landowner by first walking the site to determine the key soil types, topography, wildlife and nearby habitat. Then the idea is given shape with conceptual drawings and a written plan that identifies the recommended plant species for the area. Site preparation then takes place involving consultation with some of the various partners and the landowner. Finally the planting is done, with instructions left with the landowner regarding continued care.

  As of spring 2001 naturalization projects had been done at a number of Muskoka businesses, including the Dura Automotive and Scandura factories in Bracebridge, and the Edmonds GM dealership in Huntsville. Monck Public School in Bracebridge, and the Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School have also had naturalization projects done on their properties, as has the Beaver Creek Correctional Services facility in Gravenhurst.

  Partners in this initiative include a number of local businesses -- King’s Forestry service, landscape architect Jeff Waring, Compostit, Inc. in Bracebridge, Wes Finch and Sons excavating – as well as the McLean Foundation, the Helen McRae Peacock Foundation, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Ministry of Natural Resources and others.

  Trees must be pre-ordered by contacting the Muskoka Heritage Foundation. at (705) 645-7393, e-mail heritage@muskoka.com or visit their website at www.muskokaheritage.org.