Growing our green commitment: the MUHC’s latest tree planting initiative

If you haven’t taken a walk outside the Glen site lately, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. The landscape has undergone a major transformation over the last year. Areas that were once open, windswept and covered in scrub brush are now inviting greenspaces, featuring close to 900 new trees.

Soverdi tree specialists have been hard at work since mid-June adding to the rapidly multiplying tree cover. The gentle slope running alongside Chemin Glen is now home to an impressive line of small to medium sized saplings – joining hundreds of shrubs, evergreens and hardwoods planted last fall on the steep embankment directly across from the new planting. Project manager Jérémi St-Pierre says the latest phase of the project includes 400 new trees, such as oaks and walnuts to spruce and fir, honey locust and hawthorns. “We have a diversified approach to planting. We have different genders and species but also trees that have different functions. Some provide shade, some are resistant to heat waves or intense rain, others grow quickly or offer nuts and fruits for animals,” he explains.

A little help from The Friends

Urban reforestation isn’t cheap. This phase of the tree planting cost $144, 820. Multiple grants covered most of the cost of the initiative. Denis Bastien with Atkins Réalis worked tirelessly to coordinate the project and to ensure that the Glen maintains its LEED designation by planting species indigenous to Quebec and Canada.

A timely call to the Friends of the MUHC helped cover the remaining $10,000 needed. "We were thrilled to be able to help realize this living, breathing project for the MUHC. It means a lot to be part of something special today that you know will grow into something even more special tomorrow. From roots come shoots - so that's nature's own powerful medicine at work in our own backyard,” says Friends President Laura MacFarlane.

The Friends pitch in

The small greenspace at the corner of Decarie and Crowley was another area that Soverdi wanted to enhance. Emily Zajko, a Soverdi team member, describes it as having some mature trees but being quite windy and close to the commuter train. “We added conifers to build a visual screen to block the train and deciduous trees to attract the birds,” she says.

With the temperature reaching 30°C (feeling like 36°C with the humidex), Friends board members and volunteers, some with their children and grandchildren, put on their work gloves, picked up their shovels and got down to work. "I don't think any of us were quite ready for our tree planting experience,” admits Laura. “Hats off to our amazing, multi-generational team of volunteers, who wrestled stubborn rocks in fierce temperatures to bed a forest of future shade."

25th anniversary tree planting sparks ambitious project 

What started as a small project to plant 45 trees to celebrate the MUHC's 25th anniversary in May 2023 has turned into a large-scale tree-planting effort. “Planting trees is good for the environment but also benefits mental well-being,” says Emily. ”It is gratifying for us too to witness the drastic change in the landscape.” 

More birds are also attracted to the growing forest. “I spotted Cedar Waxwings at the plantation near the employee parking lot,” says Jérémi. With the spread of ornamental berry trees in landscaping, the Cedar Waxwing is drawn to the newly planted serviceberry trees. 

Soverdi plans to return in the fall for additional smaller plantings. In the meantime, take a moment to stroll and appreciate the beauty and the positive impact these newly planted trees bring to the community.