Clarington says yes to preserving 250 year-old red oak tree in Bowmanville

There is no need to tie any yellow ribbons on it, but a red oak tree on Beech Avenue in Bowmanville – believed to be between at least 250 years old – will be saved from a slow death by the Municipality of Clarington.

The tree, which has lived through about 12 generations of indigenous and colonial lives in its existence at 21 Beech Street, needs some maintenance and ongoing work to extend its life and to ensure its neighbours will be safe from the heavy limbs.

Clarington Council voted to preserve the tree using a three-step approach, as recommended by Cressman Tree Maintenance & Landscaping, who was hired to complete a third-party review.

The work will involve pruning to reduce the size of the crown on the tree and a system of cables will also be installed to support the heavy tree limbs. The tree will also undergo deep root fertilization to ensure that the roots get the amount of nutrients needed to maintain its health.

Municipal staff will continue to inspect and maintain the tree annually.

The work, which will begin “as soon as possible” is estimated to cost $12,000 in the first year with further maintenance of $10,000 for inspection, pruning and fertilization to be spread over six years.

A petition started earlier this year to save the tree garnered more than 5,000 signatures.