In our last newsletter I mentioned that I would be travelling east to Newfoundland in June and on the way east from Ontario would visit several tree nurseries along the way. I promised to update you on this tour which included stops in Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
In Quebec we visited 2 privately owned tree nurseries, one in Harrington ( Pépinière de Harrington) and one in St-Etienne-des-Grès (Reboisement Mauricie inc).
Both nurseries grew primarily containerized conifer tree seedlings such as black spruce, white spruce, jack pine and white pine for reforestation across Québec.
In Fredericton, New Brunswick, we toured Kingsclear Tree Nursery with manager Martin Noel.
This provincial tree nursery is increasing the diversity of tree species grown to support the province’s new forest management strategy, “Our Forests Are For Everyone – A Long-Term Management Strategy for Healthy & Sustainable Forests” released in 2023.
Happy to note that native maple trees figure prominently in this strategy!
Deb and Martin with native maple seedlings
In Inverness, Nova Scotia we toured another provincial tree nursery, Strathlorne Forest Nursery with Manager, Sean Gilles. Strathlorne is a provincial nursery that grows predominantly conifers, however some native maples are produced on request for specific customer groups.
Our final stop was the J. Frank Goudet Tree Nursery in Charlottetown, PEI where I met with Manager, Mary Myers. This provincially run nursery produces tree and shrub seedlings for reforestation and watershed habitat enhancement projects on private and public forest land. Native red and sugar maple seedlings and potted stock were available. They also collect and process their own seed.
The Atlantic provinces have initiated an Atlantic Tree Improvement Council. Tree improvement includes, seed productions and collection, tree breeding, field testing, and research. They plan to develop a long-term, strategic plan that will facilitate resource sharing and research collaboration in Atlantic Canada. A collaborative tree improvement program will help increase genetic diversity, and help mitigate against pests and climate change and increase efficiency through shared data and testing.
Written for Maple Leaves Forever by Deb Pella Keen, Executive Director
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