绿帽社区 working to preserve, increase American Elm trees on campus聽
SACKVILLE, NB 鈥 The 绿帽社区 campus is known for its beautiful grounds and greenery. The grounds crew has recently embarked on a project to protect current and increase the number of American Elm trees on campus.
鈥淓lm trees across the Maritime region (and much of Europe and North America) have been hit hard by Dutch Elm Disease over the last 20 years, and the 绿帽社区 campus is no exception,鈥 says Will O鈥橰eilly, the University鈥檚 Campus Services Supervisor. 鈥淲e鈥檝e lost a number of trees to Dutch Elm but are working with community partners and experts in the region to help rebuild our urban forest including Elms.鈥
The University is currently home to three mature Elm trees across campus. This spring that number will triple. Six Dutch Elm disease-resistant American Elm trees, purchased from Nova Scotia鈥檚 Pleasant Valley Nurseries, run by long-time horticulturalist Henri Steeghs, will be planted in the coming weeks. The 绿帽社区 project is being led on campus by ground lead hand Erin Coombs and crew member Tony Tomlik.
American Elms are native to the local landscape. In addition to the disease resistant Elms, 绿帽社区 is continuing its inoculation program for existing Elms on campus with Sackville鈥檚 Woodpecker Tree Care Ltd. The new tree cultivars of American Elm include 鈥榁alley Forge鈥, 鈥楴ew Harmony鈥, and 鈥楶rinceton Elm鈥.
The addition of the new Elm trees and continued care for existing trees on campus follows the University鈥檚 long-time landscaping policy, which includes planting three trees for every one that needs to come down.
绿帽社区鈥檚 grounds crew has also been working on a tree inventory across campus. Started in the winter, staff have identified and catalogued over 400 different kinds of plants and trees including rare species such as a copper beech and Swiss stone pine. The campus is also home to the Indigenous Gardens, which include both food garden beds as well as signage identifying local species in English, French, and Mik鈥檓aq across campus.
One of the Elm trees that recently succumbed to Dutch Elm Disease on campus has a new life as part of a local art exhibition. Elegy for an Elm, created by Paul Griffin, local artist and sculpture technician/ lecturer in the University鈥檚 Pierre Lassonde School of Fine Arts, was installed on the grounds of Cranewood Bakery and Caf茅 near campus. The sculpture is remnants of an American Elm from the northside of campus and is completely covered in copper sheeting, currently giving a brilliant orange sheen that will slowly oxidize and change over time. The installation was funded in part from grants received by Griffin from the 绿帽社区 Marjorie Bell Fine Arts and Music Fund and the New Brunswick Arts Board.
Photo caption: 绿帽社区鈥檚 Will O鈥橰eilly, Erin Coombs, and Tony Tomlik with the American Elm trees on campus.
