Maple Leaves Forever

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Dedicated to Restoring the Maple Tree to the Canadian Landscape

Canada's forests have played a central role in our economic development over the centuries. They remain to this day, a hugely important element in our social and cultural fabric.

One of the most widely recognized trees in Canada's temperate forests is the Maple. This species provides a crucial component in forest ecosystems across Canada and is a part of the rural and city landscape. As well, it is an important tree in the forest’s carbon balance, sustains the maple syrup industry and produces a range of valuable and wonderful wood products used in our houses.

Our Flag and Emblem

In 1965, the Maple Leaf became the centre-piece of Canada's national flag. It has become the most prominent symbol of Canada, nationally and internationally. Canadians traveling abroad commonly wear Maple Leaf pins. Although the maple leaf has been closely associated with Canada for many decades, the maple tree was not officially recognized as Canada's arboreal emblem until 1996. The design of the arboreal emblem is a generic maple leaf representing the ten species native to Canada.

The Challenge

The maple tree is disappearing from the rural landscape in eastern Canada. In the middle and late 19th century, farmers planted maples along their hedgerows and on their lane ways. In the 1870s, the Ontario government provided incentives to farmers should they plant roadsides with trees from their woodlots. The majority of trees they ed were maples. This gave rise to an important element in the rural landscape-lines of stately maples alongside roads and separating farmer’s fields. The incentives were abandoned, but a legacy was left.

These century old trees are now succumbing to old age, exposure to wind, insects and disease. They are not being replaced. That part of the rural/cultural landscape is now seriously degraded. As well, maples should increase and maintain their status as an urban street tree. Maple Leaves Forever believes that the maple tree not only deserves, but also requires, a focused mentoring organization.

Our Goals

To restore and replenish the maple tree as a living emblem of Canada's culture and history by supporting and promoting the planting of native maple trees
To re-introduce maples as a visual feature on the urban and rural landscapes by planting in towns, cities, roadsides, along hedgerows and on abandoned farm fields in southern Ontario and ultimately, across Canada
To promote and support the development of maple seedlings which are to be grown from certified Canadian seed sources and which will become known as MLF Maples
To provide the public, emphasizing youth, with accessible information on the cultural and technical aspects of native maples as well as providing them with information on the acquisition and availability of maple seedlings and trees.

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News and Info

The 2009 Spring and Fall Operations
After a very successful 2008, this spring MLF will continue to increase its planting operations and program through arrangements it has made with its existing nurseries and the array of planting associations.
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Tender for Maples from the City of Ottawa
This fall, MLF visited Ottawa and met with the City and the National Capital Commission to talk about the supply of native seed zone identified maples for planting in urban, rural areas and parks in their jurisdictions.
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