Thanks to Lynne Johnson the Hackberry’s name is Barry- Barry Hackberry 🙂
Jim McCready R.P.F emailed me the other day and shared this information about our beloved Grandfather Hackberry tree on McArthur Island. If you remember we are watching this situation closely so no harm comes to it.
Ken Farr the national Dendrologist with the Canadian Forest Service was asked what he thought of the significance of our Hackberries in Carleton Place. As Jim said, this is why we should be working with the developer to save as many of these large trees as possible as these trees are unique in more than one way.( location & size )
Carleton Place arborist receives Eleanor Henderson Good Ambassador Award–Carleton Place arborist Jim McCready with Wendy LeBlanc-Jan 16, 2014 Carleton Place Almonte Canadian Gazette
Ken wrote:
“Thank you for writing to me regarding the notable hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) population in Carleton Place, and particularly, of the existence of an individual with a diameter at breast height (dbh) of 97 cm.
Reference to the distribution map in the standard Canadian dendrological text Trees in Canada (Farrar, J.L. 1995) indicates that the hackberry population in Carleton Place is part of the most northerly extension of the species anywhere in North America. Trees in Canada describes the species as “sparsely distributed in Ontario and Quebec.” The Carleton Place population is unusual for the number of individuals in one place and is genetically significant given its relatively northerly distribution. I should note as well that Trees in Canada gives the “average” dbh for a mature hackberry as 50 cm, making the 97 cm individual you described highly unusual and significant.
I want to thank you for your efforts to raise the profile of this most unusual and significant population of hackberries. The ongoing challenges that Canada’s forests will face under a changing climate means that it is important for significant elements of forest biodiversity such as the Carleton Place hackberry population to be recognized and preserved, so as to increase options for adaptation and mitigation in future. Thank you once again for writing to let me know about the Carleton Place hackberry population.”
Did you read what I read?
“The existence of an individual with a diameter at breast height (dbh) of 97 cm”. I should note as well that Trees in Canada gives the “average” dbh for a mature hackberry as 50 cm, making the 97 cm individual you described highly unusual and significant.”
So what we have Carleton Place is a very rare tree and Jim McCready and council are going to do their best to protect it. Let’s give Grandpa Hackberry a name. I don’t think I like him just being called “an individual”. He merits more than that.
Resident and historian Linda Seccaspina expressed concern about the large hackberry tree.
However, after hearing McCready speak, she said, “Thank you, Jim McCready, I can sleep tonight with you around.”–Development plans for McArthur Island in Carleton Place cause concern about hackberry tree stand
Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.
Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun andScreamin’ Mamas (USA)
Town Council Speech About the Hackberry Tree– Update on ‘The Tree”
The McArthur Island Tree– Should it Stay or Should it Go?
Lizzie Brunton Goes One on One with the Carleton Place Hackberry Tree
Carleton Place Fallout– When and Where Does it End?
Development plans for McArthur Island in Carleton Place cause concern about hackberry tree stand
lindaseccaspina 