Winter Guide to Healthy Street Trees
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
- As a chemical de-icer, rock salt is the most commonly used de-icing material. It is also one of the most corrosive and toxic de-icing materials.
- Using rock salt to de-ice sidewalks and driveways negatively affects our lake and drinking water, and damages streetscapes and trees.
- There are environmentally friendly de-icing alternatives to rock salt that are equally as effective.
- Using less rock salt will not only create safe walkways for pedestrians – it will also save you money and prevent excess salts from entering the environment.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO KEEP OUR STREETS AND TREES SAFE
BACKGROUND
Located in the Central Waterfront, the revitalized Queens Quay is Toronto’s destination waterfront street. Once a street that featured limited space for pedestrians and aging infrastructure, the street has since been transformed into a multi-modal boulevard that features a separated light-rail right-of-way, a new section of the Martin Goodman Trail that connects the Trail across the downtown waterfront, an enlarged pedestrian promenade, and roughly 227 new trees.
Many of the new trees failed to thrive and were replaced in fall 2018. The success of these new trees relies not just on a beautiful design, but also on implementing good maintenance practices and cooperation from local residents and businesses.
Waterfront Toronto and the Waterfront BIA have partnered to promote winter maintenance strategies that will help give the new trees a chance to thrive.
For more information please e-mail us at info@waterfronttoronto.ca