In summary, during some very powerful windstorms in 2007 and 2008 a number of very old, and large, Ponderosa Pines were damaged or knocked down entirely. As a city-centennial Earth Day project, Pentictonites went to work planting lots of new trees. It appears that much planning went into this project as they chose 12 specific tree varieties to help support and balance the ecosystem of our area for many years to come.
The plaque I found in Skaha Park read:
On November 12, 2007, winds of up to 110 kilometres per hour caused widespread damage to private and public property throughout Penticton.
While damage was reported in most areas of the city, the south end was hit hardest by the windstorm. Home to over 400 mature Ponderosa pine trees that provided shade for park users and habitat for birds and other wildlife, Skaha Park, the largest urban forest within the city limits - suffered extensive damage. Over 95 mature Ponderosa pines were up-rooted or badly damaged and had to be removed from the park.
On July 10, 2008, a second major windstorm hit Penticton, uprooting another 35 mature Ponderosa pines and damaging 20 others.
After the storms, hundreds of people came out to Skaha Park to witness the dramatic change. Many were saddened by the devastating loss of these magnificent trees and felt strongly that the urban forest be re-established.
In response, and in honour of the City of Penticton's 100th birthday, the seeds of the Skaha Park Centennial Tree Re-Planting Program were sown.
Public response was overwhelming! In less than 6 months, 91 donors came forward with $100 to $500 each, contributing a total of $10,000. Combined with city funds, a Green Streets Canada grant and the Province of British Columbia's donation of 200 seedings, the $100,000 Skaha Park Centennial Tree Re-Planting Program ensured that future generations of park users and wildlife could continue to enjoy an urban forest within the city limits for many years to come.
The land was originally a natural, undeveloped area, home to Ponderosa pines interspersed with the black poplar that grew near Skaha Lake (then called "Dog Lake") and other water sources.
In the 1940's, Penticton's Reeve and Council passed a motion to preserve as park land what was then called "Pine Tree Park". The installation of turf grass and irrigation, as well as regular maintenance of the native pine trees transformed the land into a formal civic park.
But formal maintenance, including lawn mowing, also prevents the natural re-generation of new trees, resulting in a monoculture that left the park's tree canopy vulnerable to disease, insect attack and high winds.
The City Parks Department decided to replant Skaha Park with a mixture of tree species to ensure a healthy park eco-system for the future. The 12 species chosen* have the following traits:
- tolerant of urban conditions
- resistant to insects and disease
- excellent wildlife attractants
- colourful fall foliage
- well-adapted to the area's climate
- showy flowers
- leaves that produce filtered shade
On April 22, 2008 - Earth Day - local school children helped plant the first of the new tree groves in Skaha Park. In October of 2008, the remaining tree groves were planted.
*Species Chosen: London Planetree, Ornamental Pear, Serviceberry, Red Maple, Honeylocust, River Birch, Pyramidal Hornbeam, Emerald Queen Maple, Little Leaf Linden, Red Horse Chestnut, Douglas Fir, and of course, Ponderosa Pine
In addition to this historical note, they included some facts about the Ponderosa pine.
- Grows 15 to 30 metres tall
- Trunk diameter can reach 1 to 1.5 metres
- Can live from 400 to 600 years
- Named "Ponderosa" by botanist David Douglas due to the great size of the trees
- Southern BC is at the northern limit of the species' range, which extends to southern California
- Provide important winter range for deer, elk, and bighorn sheep
- Seeds attract small animals and many birds
- White-headed woodpecker is highly dependent on the Ponderosa for nesting, insects, and seeds
- Interior First Nations People used parts of the tree for food, and the needles for weaving baskets
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