The Canadian Breast Cancer Network (CBCN) and the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry, will be hosting the third annual Giving Trees... Giving Hope event this Saturday to help raise funds for breast cancer awareness.
This year’s event will be held at St. Patrick’s Road, Route 323, near St. Teresa.
For a modest donation to the CBCN, Islanders will learn more about native trees and shrubs and have the opportunity to lift and transplant several species which grow on this Provincial Forest property.
In recent years, many Islanders have come to discover that native species are well suited to a variety of landscaping and gardening needs. Trees such as white spruce and white pine make excellent sound and wind buffers. Red oak and white ash are long-lived, graceful trees which add beauty and value to homes and properties.
An assortment of native shrubs are also suited to many different gardening and landscaping projects. Bayberry leaves are resistant to most insect and disease problems, while its fragrant berries add a wonderful aroma in late summer and fall. The long, bright red branches of red osier dogwood add colour to hedges and can be used to craft wreathes and other seasonal decorations. Although it is not a true fern, sweet fern is a low, deciduous shrub which also adds flagrance to gardens and hedges. Sweet fern leaves are used in potpourri and as a lining in fruit baskets to help preserve the fruits.
The Giving Trees... Giving Hope event will start at 8 a.m. and continue until 12 noon. Plenty of forestry staff and CBCN volunteers will be on hand to offer tours and tips, and trees will be colour coded by species. All Islanders are encouraged to participate in this event and show their support for those who are affected by breast cancer by using these native trees and shrubs. The event goes rain or shine. All you need to do is show up with a shovel and a pail!