Local Students Create Legacy on Maple Leaf Day
25 September 2006
A number of local grade seven students will be busy planting a legacy on National Maple Leaf Day this Wednesday, September 27. City of Richmond’s Parks Division is working with the graduating grade-seven classes of six elementary schools to create a maple tree grove in each of their school parks. To start the groves, each school will receive three maple trees of a specific species native to Canada.
The trees will mark the beginning of a legacy “Graduation Grove” at each of the schools. As years pass and more maple trees are planted by succeeding graduating classes, the groves will grow and be cherished by students and the community for years to come.
The total number of trees in the groves will be 13 to symbolize Canada’s 10 Provinces and three Territories. Participating schools will also receive educational packages – prepared by City Parks staff with some resources from Trees Canada – with information on trees and forests and their vital role in our planet’s ecosystems.
Maple Leaf Day, an initiative of Trees Canada, will be a day when Canadians are asked to reflect on the link between their lives and the maple leaf – a symbol of Canadians’ historical, economic, and environmental link to trees. It will be celebrated in 30 communities across the nation and the six participating elementary schools in Richmond are Anderson, Grauer. Kingswood, McNeely, Quilchena, Spul’u’kwuks.
The maple is one of 306 species of trees that grow in Canada and is well known as the symbol of Canada as seen on our flag and present in one species or another in almost all parts of the country.
Mayor Brodie will be proclaiming this day Maple Leaf Day as a sign of Richmond’s commitment to the important role trees play in our lives.
Maple Tress Native to Canada
The maple (Acer), is a genus of trees and shrubs of the maple family (Aceraceae). Of the 125 species found worldwide, 10 are native to Canada.
|
MAPLE TREES NATIVE TO CANADA | |
|
Common Name |
Scientific Name |
| Sugar Maple | Acer saccharum |
| Black Maple | Acer nigrum |
| Silver Maple | Acer saccharinum |
| Red Maple | Acer rubrum |
| Striped Maple | Acer pennyslvanicum |
| Mountain Maple | Acer spicatum |
| Manitoba Maple | Acer negundo |
| Bigleaf Maple | Acer macrophyllum |
| Douglas Maple | Acer glabrum |
| Vine Maple | Acer circinatum |
Cultural Importance
The maple leaf has long been considered an appropriate emblem for Canada. Maple leaves were used in coats of arms granted in 1868 to Ontario and Quebec and the Canadian coat of arms granted in 1921.
The leaf was used on regimental badges in WWI And WWII and was confirmed as an official national symbol in 1965 with the proclamation of the national flag. The maple was finally recognized as Canada’s arboreal symbol in 1996.
