Local Tree Trust Spotlights Four Old Maples

Gratitute to the Town of the Blue Mountains Tree Trust chapter for caring for our watershed’s oldest trees. The following examples highlight just a few of the beauties in their care.

The TBM Tree Trust Launch Tree

A mature Sugar Maple that helped inspire the creation of the Town of Blue Mountains Tree Trust continues to receive careful, ongoing care.

Estimated to be about 150 years old with a trunk measuring roughly 116 centimetres in diameter, the tree was among the first to receive support through the Tree Trust program, helping show what dedicated care for mature trees can achieve.

Over time, the maple has shown natural signs of aging. Some new growth developed following earlier pruning, while several older branches weakened as part of the tree’s normal life cycle.

To support the tree’s long term stability, arborists carried out targeted maintenance, including removing deadwood, shortening a few upper limbs to reduce stress, and addressing a section of the canopy that showed cracking.

This thoughtful approach helps the tree continue providing shade, storing carbon, and contributing to the character of the surrounding landscape.

The Völsung Twins of Hillcrest Park

In Hillcrest Park stand two maple trees known as the Völsung Twins, growing so close together that their branches and canopies blend into one shared crown.

Estimated to be about 135 years old, the southern tree measures 107 centimetres in diameter while the northern tree is larger at 121 centimetres. Because the trees grow side by side, their branches and roots have developed closely together over time.

Tree Trust supported professional care to help them continue growing safely, with the work focused on reducing strain where branches rubbed or overlapped and removing older growth that no longer served the trees.

Today the Twins remain a familiar landmark in Hillcrest Park, providing shade, cooling the surrounding area, and supporting birds and insects. With continued care, these two maples will keep standing side by side for many years to come.

A Century Old Maple at Union Cemetery

A large Sugar Maple at Union Cemetery in Thornbury has stood in the landscape for more than a century.

Estimated to be about 128 years old, the tree measures 137 centimetres in diameter and shows the natural changes that come with age, including two long standing hollow sections in the trunk. In June 2021, Tree Trust supported professional arborist care to help the tree remain stable.

Loose, decaying material was carefully removed from the hollow areas, and several large branches were shortened to reduce strain on the weakened parts of the trunk. A few long, spreading limbs were also reduced so the tree would be better able to withstand wind and ice.

This work was designed as the first step in ongoing care, helping the maple remain a steady presence in Union Cemetery for years to come.