YEGtrees Map: Edmonton’s favourite unique, historic, and delicious plants.
There’s something simultaneously very personal and completely public about having a favorite tree; it’s an interesting intersection between private, urban, and natural history. Trees are rooted in place and to love a tree is, in some small way, to love where you are – to become a part of it.
For anyone who’s walked around Edmonton, you’ll know that the City’s urban forest is pretty impressive. But trees aren’t just beautiful to look at; they cast shade, store carbon, provide habitat for animals, soak up millions of liters of water, and (yes) some even grow food.
Despite the scale of Edmonton’s urban forest many of us are unaware of some of the truly unique, majestic, and select individuals hiding in plain sight. The YEGtrees Map is an attempt to catalog some favorites.
Do you have a favorite Edmonton tree or shrubbery? Of course, you do! Tell me the location of your favorite #YEGtrees (in the comments below), and I’ll add it to the YEGtrees Map.
For more information on Edmonton trees (including their ecosystem services), check out the City’s Open YegTreeMap listing over 265 000 plants!
The three beautiful apple trees that bloom every May located south of Whyte Ave and east of Gateway Boulevard (103rd)…north of the old Railway Building (now MKT Restaurant)
I know the ones, @michellehartlaub:disqus! I’ll add them to the map. I’m curious, what do you love about these three trees?
They’re the only flowering trees that I know of on the avenue. They tell everyone “It’s spring’. Their beauty is fleeting, just like youth! haha~
Interesting map, Dustin. Thanks for doing this. That apricot is beautiful.
Thanks Elise! Do you have a favourite YEGtree?
I “third” the one at Ellerslie Gift and Garden 🙂
-Audric
I haven’t actually seen this one…only read about it in “Historic Trees of Alberta”.
Ellingson Park by the Parkallen Community League(65ave & 112st), has some very beautiful trees. This one in particular is one of my favorites, I believe it’s a Tatarian Maple.
Very cool! Thanks for the picture! I’ll have to see if it’s on the City’s tree map and include in in the trees above.
Can’t believe the twin poplars on 114 St. between 99 and 100 Ave. Across from Grace Lutheran Church are not on your map. Check them out if you haven’t by now. I’m on a bit of a quest to photograph as many heritage or just cool trees in Edmonton. Appreciate your map, it will help out a lot.
Exciting, Rob! I love recommendation! I’ll have to go and check them out! Please keep me in mind, as you find interesting stuff. Maybe I could feature some of your pictures on the site?
When the Duggan neighborhood was first built, one of the original lot owners planted an elm tree. That tree is close to 50 years old now, still standing healthy and beautiful, a haven for birds and playground for squirrrels.
It was planted way too close to the property line. And the prior owner of the adjacent property died several months ago. As it happens, the heirs don’t like trees. This old girl’s trunk has moved to become part of the fence and they are talking about trimming all the branches back to the property line..
I’ve offered to remove all of the lower limbs overhanging all 3 neighbors properties leaving the near-final and final stories in place. The tree will be happier and the neighbors will be as well. if they don’t insist on their pound of flesh.
If there is any way to garner support for this tree, please let me know how. And where can I send photos?
Hi, Barbara,
Thank you for your message! What ended up happening with your beautiful elm tree? Unfortunately, in most Cities (including Edmonton), there is no protection for privately owned trees.
It looks like Golden Tree Traditional Arborist will prune the tree back quite a lot and the neighbors will be satisfied. Will know within 2 weeks. It’s been key to relaxing my emotional response to the demand that the tree be removed, really invest in seeing things as they see them, then seeing what can be done with the remaining possibilities.. Investing in neighbor relations is an important feature of a situation like this.