RELATED CONTENT
The History of the Fredericton Tree Commission
The Fredericton Tree Commission celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2002. Throughout its existence, its members have acted as stewards of Fredericton’s urban forest.
Fredericton was settled in 1783 when the first United Empire Loyalists arrived at St. Anne’s Point. It was declared a city in 1848. There are records of tree planting by the British Garrison dating back to 1810, but major plantings, mostly of elms, were done by civic authorities, (led by Mayor George Fennety), between 1883 and 1887 and again shortly after the Second World War.
In the 1930s, scientists forewarned of dangers to the even-aged elm monoculture by various tree diseases and insect attacks; thus, City Councillors became concerned for the care and longevity of the municipality’s valuable shade trees. In 1952 they enacted a City By-Law (No. 412) to create the Fredericton Tree Commission. The original members of the Tree Commission, all appointed by City Council, took an active part in tree planting throughout the City. Many of the trees that they planted still exist in the former Devon area. The first Commissioners also concentrated on helping Fredericton successfully fight Dutch elm disease in conjunction with the City engineering department.
In 1967, at the urging of the Commission, City Council established the Parks and Trees Division and hired a qualified Supervisor to embark upon a diversified tree planting program. The goal was to create an uneven aged, multispecies urban forest. A mutually beneficial relationship was established between the Parks and Trees Division and the Commission which continues to this day.
After the 1973 amalgamation of Fredericton, new Commissioners were appointed by City Council to ensure that there was sufficient capacity within the Fredericton Tree Commission to provide stewardship of the expanded urban forest.
Over time, the Commission’s involvement expanded into other areas, including urban beautification and public education. The restoration of the “Old Burying Ground” was carried out with the involvement of a subcommittee of the Tree Commission. The very popular “Evening in the Park” series, held in Odell Park, became a joint undertaking of the Tree Commission and the Parks and Trees Division. The annual Fredericton Arbor Day celebration began to be organized jointly by the City and the Commission. Individual Commissioners or small subcommittees began to act as advisors regarding different insect and disease problems. The Commission offered advice or opinion regarding the care and maintenance of parks and other public places. And the Commission began to monitor issues such as habitat destruction in the College Brook area, the development of the UNB Woodlot, damage to tree roots while new services (sewer, gas line) were being installed, selling off of treed surplus areas, etc.
Presently, the Fredericton Tree Commission holds quarterly meetings each year, although special meetings are held when circumstances dictate. Annual reports are presented to City Council during an open council meeting. Where warranted, Commissioners’ concerns about the state of the urban forest are delivered to Council or Senior Staff by the appointed City Councillor or by the City Forester, both of whom attend Commission meetings. When the Commission feels it necessary, serious concerns are communicated directly to the Mayor and Council.
Becoming a member of the Fredericton Tree Commission is recognition of an individual’s expertise, and an opportunity for one to give back by volunteering one’s time and energy. It is an honour to be selected and members tend to serve for long periods of time based on the personal rewards that come with being involved with this group. Indeed, the membership list shows two people with over 40 years on the Commission, three with well over 30 plus years each and a number of others who were/have been members for 15 years or more.
Since its inception, the Fredericton Tree Commission has never lost sight of its original purpose – the care of the City’s trees. Its members continue to ensure that there is an excellent tree care program throughout the municipality.
Natural Resources of Canada
Three decades of dutch elm disease in Fredericton, N.B. : 1961-1990
