Plant leafy (deciduous) trees on the sunny side of your house. During the summer, they provide shade, and in winter, they will shed their leaves to let the warming sunshine through.

Tree Planting Workshop

With around 200,000 trees planted and distributed in 2007, ERCA is again looking forward to working with regional landowners to further build on the success of its forestry program and help to create a future of sustainability for the Essex Region. Trees are now available for purchase through the spring tree planting program. The order deadline is Friday, March 7, 2008. There are many varieties of seedlings and large stock native trees available, but quantities of some tree species are limited, so place your order soon.

As well, ERCA will host a free Tree Planting and Care Workshop on Thursday, February 21, 2008 at 7pm at the Essex County Civic and Education Centre. Pre- registration is recommended, but not mandatory. If you wish to pre-register, you can contact Vivian at 519- 776-5209 ext. 345 or by email at vkennedy@erca.org.

The cost of seedling trees begins at 50 cents and up, while prices for large stock trees begin at $10.50. You must own at least 1 acre of property to qualify for ERCA's reforestation program. A minimum purchase of 100 seedlings or 25 large stock trees is required. ERCA can also assist you in planting your trees, whether for windbreak purposes or to establish a new woodlot.

In an effort to share in the responsibility of creating a cleaner and healthier environment, ERCA has Clean Water ~ Green Spaces grants available to qualifying landowners to plant trees and restore habitat on their properties. "We can now provide landowner incentive grants for up to 90% of the project cost, if planting projects are over 5 acres in size," explains Ken Schmidt, General Manager. "For smaller projects, up to 75% of the cost can be provided through grants. Working with private landowners is critical to achieving a cleaner and healthier regional environment, and Clean Water~Green Spaces grants were introduced as a way to help share in this responsibility."

There are a variety of grants available for reforestation projects, and it's not too late to participate this year. Details and qualification guidelines are available online at www.erca.org. ERCA's stewardship staff can guide you through the conditions and simple application process. Contact ERCA's Agricultural Technician at 519-776-5209 ext. 369 for grant information, or the Forester at 519-776-5209 ext. 377 if you have tree order or forestry related questions.