CENTRE WELLINGTON – On Sept. 27, Mayor Shawn Watters presented the Tree of the Year sash to a Manitoba maple at 22 York Street that nearly didn’t survive a sidewalk construction project in 2022.
The tree’s recognition highlights a shift in how communities approach development, officials say.
Rather than choosing between infrastructure and urban forest, homeowners Curt Hammond and Melanie Anderson worked with township staff and arborist Phil Guenter to curve the new sidewalk around the tree’s root system.
“Every neighborhood has trees like this – trees that have watched families grow and provided shade for generations,” Hammond told the crowd of community members gathered for the ceremony.
“These trees don’t ask much of us, but they give us so much back. The difference between a tree surviving and thriving often comes down to a simple moment when someone asks, how can we do this differently?”
While Manitoba maples can sometimes be dismissed, Guenter explained their value in urban environments.
“This is a fast-growing species that fits well in many urban habitats. This tree shows what’s possible with space and care, and acts as a mother tree to surrounding flora and fauna.”
This year’s winner, a Manitoba maple that is about 60 years old. Photos by Dan Fischer
Manitoba maples provide fast-growing shade and vital habitat for local wildlife, exactly the kind of resilient tree our urban forests need in the face of a changing climate.
The celebration, organized by Centre Wellington Tree Trust, drew over 40 residents who wrote letters to the tree and heard from township officials about balancing growth with preservation.
“Thriving communities aren’t just about what we build – they’re about what we choose to keep,” said Toni Ellis, director of Tree Trust.
“This award recognizes that development and tree preservation can coexist when we care enough to find creative solutions.”
The tree will be honoured and recognized at the 2026 Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce awards banquet, officials say.
