Winnipeg, MB - In 2014, the City of Winnipeg intends to further protect our city’s tree canopy by more than doubling reforestation efforts next year.
The proposed 2014 preliminary capital budget calls for increasing the reforestation budget to $1 million from $383,000 last year. In 2014, up to $500,000 will be allocated to remove and replace City-owned Schubert Cherry trees that have succumbed to Black Knot or other environmental factors.
“Trees are our green infrastructure - providing environmental, economic and social benefits to our communities,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “By significantly increasing the City of Winnipeg’s investment in reforestation in 2014, we will replace trees that we’ve lost and perhaps even grow our urban canopy, which will benefit the environment and improve our quality of life.”
Since 2011, the incidence and severity of black knot have markedly increased whereby many Schubert chokecherries are dead or in very poor health. As a result, this condition is severely impacting the aesthetic appeal of many neighbourhoods developed in the 1980s and 1990s and where Schubert chokecherries were widely planted. Neighbourhooods hardest hit include Lindenwoods, Richmond West, Dakota Crossing, Norberry, North St Boniface, Rossmere, Pulberry and Riverbend. There are approximately 10,000 trees on boulevards and in City parks requiring removal and replacement.
“The Urban Forestry Branch has been selectively removing Schubert chokecherries with advanced stages of black knot since 2007 under existing budgets and as resources have permitted,” said Councillor Brian Mayes, St. Vital ward. “I get many calls from residents in south St. Vital concerned about Schubert Cherry trees on streets such as Aldgate Road, so I am delighted there is dedicated additional funding to address this road and areas throughout the neighbourhood.”
Black knot is a fungal disease that is widespread throughout North America that attacks Shubert chokecherries. It causes unsightly black growths on the branches and trunk and is very difficult to prune the fungus out of the tree to keep the tree disease-free.
The 2014 Budget builds onthe City’s long-term plan to improve the quality of life for all of our citizens by renewing our infrastructure, focusing on core services, and building communities through libraries, parks and recreation. Investing in citizens’ priorities ensures that Winnipeg continues to be a great place to live, work and play, now and in the future.