Pugwash Tree Blitz Gets Tentative Approval

You can’t see the forest for the trees came to mind tonight at the Pugwash Village Commission meeting as Pugwash Communities in Bloom (CiB) asked permission to consider a “tree blitz” to replace trees lost in hurricane Dorian.

CiB has partnered with Friends of the Pugwash Estuary (FOPE) to seek funding for the blitz.

Maureen Lahey, Chair of CiB, noted that FOPE is a registered charity and may have access to certain donors not available to CiB. 

However, there was another hitch in the plan that prompted more debate than usual.

The blitz calls for tree planting on publicly owned property, including Eaton Park.

The Village Commission has already had feedback urging a go slow approach to increasing the tree inventory in the park. The commission received a letter from a Water Street resident who feared further deterioration of the harbour sight lines.

Commission Deputy Chair Roger Mundle suggested some people seem to be urging an urban forest in the park. He feels more people want unrestricted views of the harbour, its activities, and the marvellous sunsets.

The village is only considering two new trees to be planted at the south end of the park near the playground.

The tree blitz also includes trees around the old train station, the current home to the Pugwash Library. CiB hopes to plant a Colorado Blue Spruce to become the live Christmas tree that is decorated each year in front of the library.

The Commission agreed that CiB should move forward with its search for funding while encouraging a greater effort to include planting on private property, especially where trees were lost through the high winds of Dorian.

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