Bruce Trail Heritage Tree Fact Sheet & Directions

Tree Site 1: Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

Black Walnut characteristics

Leaf: 14-22 short stalked leaflets on a central stalk. Leaflets are oval with a sharp tip and toothed edges with the centre or terminal leaflet missing or much smaller than the others. Has a strong odour when crushed.

Bark: Dark brown deeply furrowed bark with intersecting ridges. (Young bark light brown and scaly).

Flowers and fruit: Male flowers on long drooping catkins and green in colour. Female flowers are erect yellowish-green clusters. Fruit is a grooved nut surrounded by a round, thick husk. Estimated Age: 120 years Associated species: Red Maple, Diameter: 68 cm White Elm, Wild Leek, Riverbank Habitat: Well drained, fertile soils in lowland Lifespan: 150 years Grape, Spotted Touch-me-Not, areas, stream and riverbanks and floodplains. Sensitive Fern, Butternut. Looks like: Butternut, Tree of Heaven, Kentucky Coffeetree

How to find this tree on the Bruce Trail:

Bruce Trail Section: Niagara Closest town: Grimsby Bruce Trail Reference Guide: Map 5

Parking Location: Tree Location: 43.157888, -79.497415 43.16983734, -79.51502552 Follow the QEW to Exit 64 (Ontario Street in A roughly 4 km walk east along the white-blazed main Bruce Trail Beamsville). Travel south along Ontario Street. from Mountainview Conservation Area. From the parking lot, the Turn right (west) on King Street (Highway 81). trail climbs steeply to the top of the Escarpment and continues Turn left (south) onto Mountainview Road. Park through mixed forest to Walker Rd., turns right and follows Walker at Mountainview Conservation Area, Mountain Rd. to Thirty Rd, where it turns right again. After descending for 100 View Rd, S of McLeod St, entrance on right (west) m, the Trail leaves the road, turns left into a wooded area and side. No admission or parking fees for this CA. crosses 30-Mile Creek at a small waterfall. Approximately 200 m past the waterfall on the left hand side is the Black Walnut.

This tree is on the 30-Mile Creek property owned by Ontario Heritage Trust and managed by The Bruce Trail Conservancy as part of its mission to create a Conservation Corridor along the Niagara Escarpment.

 I found this tree! Code word: ______(Look for the code word on the sign by the tree. Submit your code word to [email protected] for a chance to win)

Part of the Bruce Trail Heritage Tree Scavenger Hunt © 2011 The Bruce Trail Conservancy with the proud support of Ontario Power Generation 1.800.665.4453 | brucetrail.org Bruce Trail Heritage Tree Fact Sheet & Directions

Tree Site 2: Butternut (Juglans cinerea)

Butternut (aka White Walnut)

Leaf: 11-17 leaflets on a central stalk. Leaflets are oval, toothed, yellowish-green in colour with a rough upper surface and densely hairy beneath. Centre or terminal leaflet is similar in size to the others.

Bark: Bark is smooth, light gray with whitish lines when young becoming gray with shallow groves and intersecting flat topped ridges.

Flowers and fruit: Male flowers are long, green, drooping catkins with the female flowers consisting of pinkish-red erect clusters. Fruit is an oval nut with jagged ridges surrounded by an oval husk covered in sticky hairs. Estimated Age: Associated species: grasses, 75 – 100 years Basswood, Black Cherry, Sugar Habitat: Prefers well drained, dry rocky soils on Diameter: 74 cm Maple, Yellow Birch, Black gradual slopes and shallow valleys. Very shade Lifespan: 100 years Walnut. intolerant so also grows in open fields and forest edges.

Looks like: Black Walnut, Tree of Heaven, Kentucky Coffeetree

How to find this tree on the Bruce Trail:

Bruce Trail Section: Niagara Closest town: Grimsby Bruce Trail Reference Guide: Map 5

Parking Location: Tree Location: 43.194798, -79.598206 43.19319787, -79.59936297 Follow the QEW to exit 74 (Casablanca Boulevard Follow the blue-blazed Alan Dopko Side Trail along a fencerow and in Grimsby). Travel south to Main Street West. then up the escarpment slope for 235 m. The Butternut will be on Roadside parking is available on the south side of your right hand side, about 10 m past the remains of an old stone Main St. W at Casablanca Blvd. wall.

This tree is on the Dopko property owned by Ontario Heritage Trust and managed by The Bruce Trail Conservancy as part of its mission to create a Conservation Corridor along the Niagara Escarpment.

 I found this tree! Code word: ______(Look for the code word on the sign by the tree. Submit your code word to [email protected] for a chance to win)

Tree Site 3: Basswood (Tilia americana)

Basswood Characteristics

Leaf: Large, heart shaped, dull green with toothed edges and a pointed tip.

Bark: Young bark is smooth and light brown maturing into a dark grayish-brown with narrow flat-topped ridges.

Flowers and fruits: Small yellow flowers appear in clusters in July and ripen into hard pea-sized nutlets covered by soft, rusty coloured hairs.

Habitat: Moist slopes of deciduous forests with deep, rich soils.

Looks like: Little-leaf Linden (a European species commonly planted along streets) Estimated Age: 71 years Associated species: Diameter: 60 cm Sugar Maple, American Beech, Lifespan: 200 years Ironwood, Black Cherry, Jack-in- the-Pulpit, Sharp Lobed Hepatica

How to find this tree on the Bruce Trail:

Bruce Trail Section: Iroquoia Closest town: Waterdown Bruce Trail Reference Guide: Map 9

Parking Location: Tree Location: 43.331568, -79.880989 43.32960488, -79.87850692 From Burlington: Head N on Waterdown Rd past Walk NE on Mountain Brow to find main Bruce Trail access at a stile Hwy 403 and up the Escarpment. At Mountain over a fence. Take the stile and follow the white-blazed main Trail Brow Rd. turn right (NE). Roadside parking: just for 100m until it meets the blue-blazed McNally Side Trail. The before 1st stop sign on Mountain Brow Rd across Basswood is 250 m down the McNally Side Trail on the right hand from Flanders Dr. side.

This tree is on the McNally property, generously donated to The Bruce Trail Conservancy by Patrick McNally, and is now managed by the BTC as part of its mission to create a Conservation Corridor along the Niagara Escarpment.

 I found this tree! Code word: ______(Look for the code word on the sign by the tree. Submit your code word to [email protected] for a chance to win)

Tree Site 4: Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis)

Bitternut Hickory (aka Swamp Hickory) Characteristics

Leaf: 7-11 shiny, dark green leaflets on a central stalk with finely toothed edges and a narrow scythe shape.

Bark: Smooth, greenish-gray with irregular

yellow lines when young, gray with shallow, narrow furrows and scaly ridges when mature.

Flowers and fruits: Male flowers are greenish- yellow catkins hanging from the twigs in clusters of 3. Female flowers are greenish spikelets at the tips of the twigs.

Habitat: Prefers moist lowland areas with rich Estimated Age: 128 years Associated species: soils. Diameter: 73 cm Green Ash, Sugar Maple, Oaks, Lifespan: 200 years Sensitive Fern, White Avens, May Looks like: walnuts like Black Walnut & Apple. Butternut

How to find this tree on the Bruce Trail:

Bruce Trail Section: Iroquoia Closest town: Waterdown Bruce Trail Reference Guide: Map 9

Parking Location: Tree Location: 43.330803, -79.88698 43.33230712, -79.88406915 From Burlington: Head N on Waterdown Rd past From the parking lot, catch the main Bruce Trail at a gravel path and Hwy 403 and up the Escarpment. Just past follow the steps up the grassy slope to the road (Mill St). Carefully Mountain Brow Rd, Waterdown Rd becomes Mill cross the road and continue on the white blazed main Trail up the St and descends a hill. Parking Lot at Great Falls hill through the open grassy area of Smokey Hollow. Watch for on left (SW) side of Mill St, just past Mountain blazes leading into a copse of trees straight ahead. The Bitternut Brow Rd. Hickory is in this copse on the left side, beside a lovely rock outcrop before the Trail emerges at Renwood Place.

This tree is on the Smokey Hollow property, owned and managed by The Bruce Trail Conservancy as part of its mission to create a Conservation Corridor along the Niagara Escarpment.

 I found this tree! Code word: ______(Look for the code word on the sign by the tree. Submit your code word to [email protected] for a chance to win)

Tree Site 5: Red Oak (Quercus rubra)

Red Oak Characteristics

Leaf: Alternately arranged along the twig with several deep lobes ending in bristly teeth with a dark green upper surface and paler underside.

Bark: Smooth and dark gray when young. Mature bark has wide shallow furrows with pale gray ridges.

Flowers and fruit: Female flowers are red spikes in the leaf axils and male flowers are greenish-yellow catkins hanging down from the twigs before the leaves emerge. Fruit is an acorn: a nut nestled into a cup shaped, thin scaled saucer.

Habitat: Moist, fertile soils in interior forests, Estimated Age: 195 years Associated species: Ashes, edges and fencerows. Diameter: 124 cm hickories, White Oak, Squawroot, Lifespan: 200 years Eastern Bracken Fern, White Looks like: White Oak (except leaves are Pine, Starflower. pointed; White Oak leaves have rounded lobes).

How to find this tree on the Bruce Trail:

Bruce Trail Section: Iroquoia Closest town: Burlington Bruce Trail Reference Guide: Map 9

Parking Location: Tree Location: 43.348464, -79.859053 43.352431, -79.857182 Park at Kerncliff Park in Burlington. Past the covered pavilion at the parking area, take the blue-blazed From QEW/ 403: Exit at Brant Street in Burlington Kerncliff Park Access Trail (which also follows the route of the park’s and turn north; turn left onto North Service Road, “Woodland Trail”) for 230 m. The side trail makes a sharp left and turn right onto Kerns Road, drive up to the top of continues through the forest for 250 m, over a footbridge and the escarpment. The park and parking lot will be eventually meets the white-blazed Main Trail. Continue right on the on your right. NOTE: Access to Kerns Rd. south Main Trail for 160 m, down and back up a small valley and over from Hwy 5 is no longer available. another bridge. This tree is right in the middle of the Main Trail and hard to miss! Find 2 trees from here! Tree Site 6 (White Oak) can be found just a bit farther down the trail.

This tree is on an easement of land managed by The Bruce Trail Conservancy as part of its mission to create a Conservation Corridor along the Niagara Escarpment.

 I found this tree! Code word: ______(Look for the code word on the sign by the tree. Submit your code word to [email protected] for a chance to win) Part of the Bruce Trail Heritage Tree Scavenger Hunt © 2011 The Bruce Trail Conservancy with the proud support of Ontario Power Generation 1.800.665.4453 | brucetrail.org Bruce Trail Heritage Tree Fact Sheet & Directions

Tree Site 6: White Oak (Quercus alba)

White Oak Characteristics

Leaf: Alternately arranged along the twig with several deep lobes ending in smooth, blunt ends with a dark green upper surface and paler underside.

Bark: Pale gray with a reddish tinge and narrow, scaly ridges broken into rectangular sections.

Flowers and fruit: Male flowers are clustered on long, drooping stalks and are yellowish-green in colour. Female flowers are reddish spikes in the leaf axils. Fruit is an acorn: a nut nestled into a cup shaped, thick-scaled saucer.

Habitat: Grows in a variety of soils in interior forests, Estimated Age: 157 years Associated species: forest gaps, edges and fencerows

Diameter: 80 cm Red Oak, hickories, Black Looks like: Red Oak (except leaves have rounded lobes; Lifespan: 600 years Cherry, White Ash, White Red Oak leaves have pointed lobes). Pine, Wintergreen, Starflower.

How to find this tree on the Bruce Trail:

Bruce Trail Section: Iroquoia Closest town: Burlington Bruce Trail Reference Guide: Map 9

Parking Location: Tree Location: 43.348464, -79.859053 43.3561352, -79.85525711 Park at Kerncliff Park in Burlington. Past the covered pavilion at the parking area, take the blue-blazed From QEW/ 403: Exit at Brant Street in Burlington Kerncliff Park Access Trail (which also follows the route of the park’s and turn north; turn left onto North Service Road, “Woodland Trail”) for 230 m. The side trail makes a sharp left and turn right onto Kerns Road, drive up to the top of continues through the forest for 250 m, over a footbridge and the escarpment. The park and parking lot will be eventually meets the white-blazed Main Trail. Continue right on the on your right. NOTE: Access to Kerns Rd. south Main Trail for 300 m until it meets the blue-blazed Ian Reid Side from Hwy 5 is no longer available. Trail. Follow the Ian Reid Side Trail to the right for 300 m, where it will make a sharp turn left. Continue on the side trail for 215 m, passing the junction with the Havendale Boulevard Side Trail, and the tree will be on the left side. Find 2 trees from here! Tree Site 5 (Red Oak) can be found on the way to this White Oak.

This tree is on an easement of land managed by The Bruce Trail Conservancy as part of its mission to create a Conservation Corridor along the Niagara Escarpment.  I found this tree! Code word: ______(Look for the code word on the sign by the tree. Submit your code word to [email protected] for a chance to win)

Tree Site 7: Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Eastern Hemlock Characteristics

Estimated Age: Leaf: Numerous short (1-2 cm), tapered shiny 142 years green needles organized in 2 rows on the central Diameter (of one trunk): stem giving the branch a flattened look. 60 cm Undersides of needles have 2 distinct white lines Lifespan: of dots. 600 years Bark: Young bark grayish and scaly maturing into a deeply furrowed, brown surface with flat topped ridges.

Flowers and fruit: Seed cones are oval, small and purplish-brown with thin roundish scales. Associated species: Yellow Birch, White Habitat: Prefers cool, moist, shady sites on a Pine, White Spruce, variety of soils or rocky locations and often Sugar Maple, ferns. found on north facing slopes or ravines.

Looks like: Eastern yew (a common garden ornamental from Europe)

How to find this tree on the Bruce Trail:

Bruce Trail Section: Toronto Closest town: Acton/Limehouse Bruce Trail Reference Guide: Map 12

Parking Location: Tree Location: 43.592859, -79.980456 43.59492313, -79.97671701 From Hwy 401: At Milton, take exit 320, Regional Follow the blue-blazed 17 Sideroad Access Side Trail along the road Road 25 north; Turn right (NE) on 17 Sideroad; allowance at the end of the 17 Sideroad for 230 m, crossing a small Park at end of road, where it dead-ends. boardwalk. The side trail will become the white-blazed Main Trail, and then veers off to the right as a side trail again. Stay on the Main Find 2 trees from here! Trail which will turn to the right in 115 m, into the forest. Follow Tree Site 8 (White Pine) can be accessed from the the Trail for 100 m and the tree will be on your right. same parking spot.

This tree is on the Opavsky property, owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust and managed by The Bruce Trail Conservancy as part of its mission to create a Conservation Corridor along the Niagara Escarpment.

 I found this tree! Code word: ______(Look for the code word on the sign by the tree. Submit your code word to [email protected] for a chance to win)

Tree Site 8: White Pine (Pinus strobus)

White Pine Characteristics

Leaf: Bluish green needles in bundles of 5. Needles are 5-15 cm long, slender, straight and flexible. Can be wrapped around finger without breaking.

Bark: Smooth and grayish-green when young. Dark gray/brown with deep furrows broken up by

broad scaly ridges when mature.

Flowers and fruit: Seed cones are supported by a long stalk and are cylindrical and long (8-20 cm) with a green to light brown colour and numerous round tipped scales along the length.

Habitat: Occurs on a variety of sites from dry, sandy soils, lakeshores and islands to rocky ground. Fast growing and thrive in the sunlight. Estimated Age: 173 years Associated species: Diameter: 88 cm Red Pine, Hemlock, Red Looks like: Red Pine (but Red Pine needles are in Lifespan: 400 years Osier Dogwood, White bundles of 2 and are a darker green; Red Pine Spruce, Wild Lily-of-the-Valley. cones are round)

How to find this tree on the Bruce Trail:

Bruce Trail Section: Toronto Closest town: Acton/Limehouse Bruce Trail Reference Guide: Map 12

Parking Location: Tree Location: 43.592859, -79.980456 43.59570483, -79.97593431 From Hwy 401: At Milton, take exit 320, Regional Follow the blue-blazed 17 Access Side Trail along the road Road 25 north; Turn right (NE) on 17 Sideroad; allowance at the end of the 17 Sideroad for 230 m, crossing a small Park at end of road, where it dead-ends. boardwalk. The side trail will become the white-blazed Main Trail and the tree will be on the left side. Find 2 trees from here! Tree Site 7 (Eastern Hemlock) can be accessed from the same parking spot.

This tree is on the Speyside Woods property, owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust and managed by The Bruce Trail Conservancy as part of its mission to create a Conservation Corridor along the Niagara Escarpment.

 I found this tree! Code word: ______(Look for the code word on the sign by the tree. Submit your code word to [email protected] for a chance to win)

Tree Site 9: Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

Sugar Maple Characteristics

Leaf: Familiar leaf profiled on the Canadian flag with 5 pointed lobes with irregular wavy teeth arranged oppositely along the twig. Green in colour turning a brilliant yellow, orange or red in the autumn.

Bark: Smooth and gray when young becoming dark gray with long, vertical, irregular ridges which curl outward from the trunk.

Flowers and fruits: Small, petal less, greenish-yellow flowers on long, drooping stalks forming clusters among the emerging leaves in Spring. Fruits in drooping clusters of paired plump seedcases with

extended wings often referred to as keys. Estimated Age: 201 years Associated species: Habitat: Grows in a variety of areas but prefer deep, Diameter: 102 cm American Beech, Ashes, fertile, well drained soils in interior forests, edges, Lifespan: 250 years White Trillium, violets, Hazels, slopes and open gaps. Wild Ginger, Trout Lily, Blue

Cohosh, Wild Sarsaparilla. Looks like: Norway Maple (a common street tree)

How to find this tree on the Bruce Trail:

Bruce Trail Section: Caledon Hills Closest town: Orangeville/Mono Bruce Trail Reference Guide: Map 18

Parking Location: Tree Location: 43.993572, -80.014057 43.9895894, -80.01105934 From Hwy 400: Take exit 55, Hwy 9 west; Turn Access the western entrance to the blue-blazed Hemlock Ridge Side right onto Airport Road (18); Turn left on County Trail (closest to the road) and follow it up a series of switchbacks Rd 7 / Hockley Rd; Turn left on 5th Line E and along a steep hill for 385 m, where it connects with the white- parking entrance will be on left shortly after. blazed Main Trail. Continue straight on the Main Trail, down a set of stairs and through a series of sharp turns for 260 m. Take a left on to the blue-blazed Glacier Valley Side Trail. Follow this for 130 m, climbing a hill and coming to a set of stairs going down. The tree will be on the right hand side.

This tree is on the Hemlock Ridges property, owned and managed by The Bruce Trail Conservancy as part of its mission to create a Conservation Corridor along the Niagara Escarpment.

 I found this tree! Code word: ______(Look for the code word on the sign by the tree. Submit your code word to [email protected] for a chance to win)

Tree Site 10: American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)

American Beech Characteristics

Leaf: Simple leaf with straight parallel veins ending in a single tooth. Bluish-green on top with a lighter shade underneath arranged alternately along the twig. Leaves become pale and papery in the autumn

remaining on the tree well into the winter months.

Bark: Thin, smooth, bluish-gray with whitish mottles sometimes present. Often said to resemble an elephant’s leg.

Flowers and fruits: Male flowers greenish-yellow clusters on long stalks. Female flowers similar only found in leaf axils of the leaves. Fruits consist of a

reddish-brown, four parted, bristly husk which

contains a three sided pyramid shaped nut. Estimated Age: 160 years Associated species:

Diameter: 68 cm Sugar Maple, Yellow Birch, Habitat: Occurs on moist, well drained slopes and Lifespan: 300 years Eastern Hemlock, Trilliums, interior forests wear it grows readily in the shade. Blue Cohosh, Jack in the

Pulpit. Looks like: European Beech; American Chestnut

How to find this tree on the Bruce Trail:

Bruce Trail Section: Dufferin Hi-Land Closest town: Shelburne/Mulmur Hills Bruce Trail Reference Guide: Map 20

Parking Location: Tree Location: 44.148249, -80.118521 44.1513489, -80.10752013 From Orangeville head north on Highway 10. At Follow the white-blazed Main Trail through a series of two woodlots Highway 89 turn right (east). Take your first left and two fields for 750 m. After the second, larger, field the Trail will (north) on 1 Line East. There is a BTC parking lot enter a wooded area. Follow the Main Trail through the forest for on 1st Line East just south of Sideroad 10 350 m, down a slope and the tree will be on the right side. (Highway 17).

This tree is on the Pollock property, owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust and managed by The Bruce Trail Conservancy as part of its mission to create a Conservation Corridor along the Niagara Escarpment.

 I found this tree! Code word: ______(Look for the code word on the sign by the tree. Submit your code word to [email protected] for a chance to win)

Tree Site 11: Trees for the Future

Tree Planting along the Bruce Trail

Bruce Trail Conservancy volunteers assisted a contractor in planting 400 native trees on the banks of a small creek near Singhampton in 2011. 1 6 By stabilizing the banks with their roots, these trees reduce erosion and provide a buffer from nearby agricultural practices. As they grow, the trees will create a green corridor that connects two fragmented woodlots, making it easier for wildlife to move, eat and breed in a protected forest habitat. 2 7 These trees are on the McLeod property, owned by Ontario Heritage Trust and managed by The Bruce Trail Conservancy as part of its mission to create a Conservation Corridor along the Niagara Escarpment.

3 8

4 9 Species planted (1-9): Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Red Oak, Black Cherry, Tree Planting on another BTC property Butternut, Tamarack, From planting trees, to blazing trail, to leading hikes or working with White Pine, White Cedar, landowners, more than 1100 volunteers donate their time and talents to the Bruce Trail Conservancy and its nine member Clubs. 5 White Spruce. Find out how you can get involved at brucetrail.org.

How to find this tree site on the Bruce Trail:

Bruce Trail Section: Blue Mountains Closest town: Singhampton Bruce Trail Reference Guide: Map 22

Parking Location: Tree Planting Location: 44.31231, -80.193602 44.321822, -80.195855 Directions: From Singhampton on Simcoe Road Follow the white-blazed Main Trail north through a wooded area for 124 (between Shelburne and Collingwood), 1.5 km, passing along the edge of three agricultural fields and take 124 south to 12/13 Sideroad. Turn right curving along the top of a bedrock valley. The Trail exits the (south) on Conc 10. Turn right on 9/10 Sideroad woodlot and follows a small creek that runs in-between two and park on the shoulder. This is an unplowed agricultural fields. The planting is located on either side of this road, so parking is available only until snow falls. creek.

 I found this tree site! Code word: ______(Look for the code word on the sign by the tree. Submit your code word to [email protected] for a chance to win)

Tree Site 12: Mature Forest of Sugar Maple & Beech

Mature forests like this are rare on the Niagara Escarpment. Having never been clear-cut or developed, this forest has reached the pinnacle of plant succession.

Look for the tall, straight trunks of the dominant trees – Sugar Maple and American Beech. These trees create a closed canopy in the summer, so that only shade-tolerant saplings of maples and Chokecherry persist below. Down on the ground, life is at its most productive in the early spring before the trees leaf out.

This diverse ecosystem provides important habitat for the many bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian Sugar Maple American Beech species that depend on the interior forest for survival.

Associated species: Yellow Birch, Ashes, Eastern Hemlock, White

Trillium, violets, Hazels, Wild Ginger, Trout Lily, Blue Cohosh, Wild Sarsaparilla.Blue Cohosh, Jack in the Pulpit.

How to find this tree site on the Bruce Trail:

Bruce Trail Section: Beaver Valley Closest town: Flesherton Bruce Trail Reference Guide: Map 26

Parking Location: Tree Site Location: 44.333807, -80.554916 44.338528, -80.551739 From Flesherton follow Highway 10 north. Turn Follow the white-blazed Main Trail north for 50 m through a White right (east) on to Highway 32 (Beaver Valley Pine plantation. Continue to descend down the curving Main Trail Road). Turn right (east) on Graham’s Hill Road for 425 m through a deciduous forest until it makes a sharp left as it (Concession Road 12). Roadside parking is hits the Treed Talus community. Continue to follow the Main Trail available on Graham's Hill Rd where the Trail along the Treed Talus community for 250 m as it skirts another crosses the road. White Pine plantation and eventually enters the mature Sugar Maple-Beech forest.

This tree is on the Harshman property, owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust and managed by The Bruce Trail Conservancy as part of its mission to create a Conservation Corridor along the Niagara Escarpment.

 I found this forest! Code word: ______(Look for the code word on the sign by the tree. Submit your code word to [email protected] for a chance to win)

Tree Site 13: The Polish Soldier Tree

In 1942, a Polish soldier carved a heartfelt message in the soft bark of this Beech.

Signing zolnierz, or soldier, the man also included the first words from the Polish national anthem, which translates as “Poland has not yet perished.”

This old Beech is a rare glimpse into life at the Tadeusz Kosciuszko Polish Army training camp based in Owen Sound during the early years of the Second World War.

Although this is a unique find, please refrain from carving into the bark of any tree. Sensitive layers of tissue lie just inside the outer bark of a tree. This area should be protected from wounding, since open areas of tissue provide an opening for disease, rot, animal and insect invasion. Carving also damages the food and water conducting tissues of the tree.

How to find this tree on the Bruce Trail:

Bruce Trail Section: Sydenham Closest town: Owen Sound Bruce Trail Reference Guide: Map 31

Parking Location: Tree Site Location: 44.579428, -80.874250 44.58071637, -80.87189498 From Owen Sound follow Highway 26 east. Turn From Clearview Cres, head E on Hwy 26 until you reach the white- left (north) on to Clearview Crescent, just past signed access for the main Bruce Trail. Head North along the white- Grey Road 20. Roadside parking is along blazed main Trail. Approximately 150 m south of the first footbridge Clearview Crescent (Do not park along Hwy 26). you’ll find this unique tree.

This tree is on the Clearview property, owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust and managed by The Bruce Trail Conservancy as part of its mission to create a Conservation Corridor along the Niagara Escarpment.

 I found this tree! Code word: ______(Look for the code word on the sign by the tree. Submit your code word to [email protected] for a chance to win)

Tree Site 14: Ironwood (Ostrya virginiana)

Ironwood Characteristics

Leaf: Alternately arranged along the twig, elliptical in shape with a yellowish-green colour and finely toothed edges.

Bark: Grayish-brown separated into thin strips loose at both ends with a shredding appearance.

Flowers and fruits: Male flowers are 2-5 cm long green catkins with a reddish tinge in clusters of 2-3. Female flowers are clusters of green, sack shaped flowers. Seeds are nutlets inside bundles of yellowish-green sacs.

Estimated Age: 149 years Associated species: Habitat: Found in the understory of Diameter: 51 cm Sugar Maple, American Beech, deciduous or mixed forests on well drained Lifespan: 150 years American Basswood, White Pine, slopes. White Birch. Looks like: Yellow Birch

How to find this tree on the Bruce Trail:

Bruce Trail Section: Sydenham Closest town: Wiarton Bruce Trail Reference Guide: Map 34

Parking Location: Tree Site Location: 44.768971, -80.933679 44.76957385, -80.93328352 From Owen Sound take Highway 1 north. Veer Follow the white-blazed Main Trail east from Kemble Rock Rd. for left to stay on to Kemble Rock Road. Continue 30 m and the tree will be on your right. north, past Concession 24. Very limited roadside parking exists at km 145.7 on the shoulder of Kemble Rock Rd, just before the road winds downhill.

This tree is on the Johannes property, owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust and managed by The Bruce Trail Conservancy as part of its mission to create a Conservation Corridor along the Niagara Escarpment.

 I found this tree! Code word: ______(Look for the code word on the sign by the tree. Submit your code word to [email protected] for a chance to win)

Tree Site 15: White Ash (Fraxinus americana)

White Ash Characteristics

Leaf: 5-9 oval leaflets on a central stalk with smooth edges or infrequent rounded teeth. Upper surface is a dark green with the underside being much paler.

Bark: Young bark is light gray and smooth becoming deeply furrowed into intersecting ridges producing a diamond pattern.

Flowers and fruit: Small tufts of purple flowers emerge before the leaves in the spring. Fruit is a seedcase with a wing emerging from the tip hanging off the trees in clusters.

Habitat: Prefer deep, well drained soils in Estimated Age: 229 years Associated species: interior forests. Diameter: 117 cm Sugar Maple, Blue Cohosh, Lifespan: 250 years Red Elderberry, Alternate Looks like: Green or Red Ash leaved Dogwood, Wild Leek.

How to find this tree on the Bruce Trail:

Bruce Trail Section: Peninsula Closest town: Wiarton Bruce Trail Reference Guide: Map 35

Parking Location: Tree Site Location: 44.772456, -81.133768 44.77151359, -81.13225381 From Wiarton follow Highway 6 north. Turn right Follow the white-blazed Main Trail for 175 m across a field and past (east) on to Highway 9 (Bruce Road 9). Roadside the foundation of an old barn. As the Trail curves left to enter a parking is available the shoulder of the south side wooded area this tree is on the left side. of Highway 9, directly opposite the fence stile, just before the road curves to the left. Park well on to the shoulder.

This tree is on the Gatis property, owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust and managed by The Bruce Trail Conservancy as part of its mission to create a Conservation Corridor along the Niagara Escarpment.

 I found this tree! Code word: ______(Look for the code word on the sign by the tree. Submit your code word to [email protected] for a chance to win)

Tree Site 16: White Cedars (Thuja occidentalis)

White Cedar (aka arborvitae) Characteristics

Leaf: Yellowish-green, waxy, scale like and flattened.

Bark: Smooth, shiny and reddish-brown when young turning gray with long, narrow strips when mature.

Flowers and fruits: Seed cones are small and green in clusters of 5 or 6 pairs at the tips of the branches. Turn brown when ripe and are then shed from the twigs.

Habitat: Occur mainly in swampy areas and dry soils over limestone bedrock. Also able to grow in harsh areas such as Talus slopes and open cliffs. Communities of cliff-dwelling White Cedars form the most ancient forests east of the Rockies. The oldest individual cedar trees are Associated species: found on cliff faces, where specimens can be over 1000 years old yet Black Ash, White Birch, spruce, Yellow Birch, no larger around than a fence post. The harsh conditions on the cliff- ferns, Rattlesnake plantains, Coralroots. face stunt the growth of these tenacious trees.

How to find this tree site on the Bruce Trail:

Bruce Trail Section: Peninsula Closest town: Wiarton/Lion’s Head Bruce Trail Reference Guide: Map 36

Parking Location: Tree Site Location: 44.885596, -81.108105 44.89196456, -81.1185865188 From Wiarton follow Highway 6 north. Turn right Follow the blue-blazed Boundary Bluffs Side Trail northwest 800 m, (east) on Highway 9 (Bruce Road 9). Turn right passing through a woodlot and following the edge of a large field (east) on Waugh’s Road and then turn left (north) and a small wetland on the left. Follow the side trail to the left for on to Pit Road. Off Road Parking is available on Pit 1.1 km as it climbs the Escarpment and begins to loop back to the Rd just after the bend, 100 m down the hill. northeast. The tree will be on the Escarpment face on the right side of the trail.

This tree is on the Boundary Bluffs property, owned and managed by The Bruce Trail Conservancy as part of its mission to create a Conservation Corridor along the Niagara Escarpment.

 I found these trees! Code word: ______(Look for the code word on the sign by the tree. Submit your code word to [email protected] for a chance to win)