Toronto residents have chosen oak to represent the city.
Mayor John Torrey, along with Councilor Jennifer McKelvey, chairman of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, unveiled the city’s official tree in Cedar Ridge Park on Saturday afternoon.
The oak was chosen by public vote from April 21st to May 10th.
“Trees do so much for us. “They absorb CO2, provide shade, which helps us save energy, stop erosion, which helps us deal with floods, and it’s on the list,” Torrey said at the opening.
“This was to raise awareness of this fact by having an official tree and ensuring that people respect it, embrace it and show affection for trees, as part of the natural environment and as part of our ambitious goals, we have to deal with climate change, “he added.
Toronto officials have engaged with indigenous peoples to select the four best trees that most represent the city for the public to vote for. The list included birch, maple, oak and pine.
Nearly 11,000 votes were received, with oak receiving 47 percent of the vote, maple in second place with 31 percent, birch with 14 percent and pine receiving eight percent of the vote.
The oak will become part of the city’s official symbols, which currently include a flag, coat of arms and mayor’s chain.
Add Comment