Simcoe Reformer, Nov. 27, 2010.

Thousands of Carolinian trees and native shrubs will be planted along the Long Point Causeway next year.

TD Friends of the Environment Foundation has donated $9,965 to purchase almost 1,000 Carolinian trees and more than 1,500 native shrubs. The Long Point Causeway Improvement Project, in corporation with the county’s forestry department, will be carrying out the planting.

“These will be the first new trees and shrubs to be planted along the Causeway in many, many years,” said Paul Jongerden, chair of the project’s steering committee. “While we’re committed to preserving the existing trees, it’s essential that we begin planting trees now to enhance the Causeway’s natural environment for the future.”

A few willows and poplars are the only remains of an avenue of trees that once lined the Causeway in the 1940s and 1950s. Country forestry staff has found that at least 18 of these trees will have to be cut down because either they are dead, damaged or pose a public safety risk.

Tree species that have been suggested for the corridor include bur oak, paper birch and white cedar. Options for native shrubs include silky dogwood, pussy willow and chokecherry.