How Grounds Services protects campus trees

An important part of the St. George campus experience is the lush, vibrant tree canopy. The downtown campus has more than 3,000 trees—including Ontario’s largest concentration of elms and Toronto’s healthiest ash population.

Such a green oasis requires much effort to maintain its health and beauty. This is where the Grounds Services team, part of Facilities & Services, comes in. Most never see the hard work and countless hours put into preserving and protecting our trees.

To preserve nature on campus, the Grounds Services team plays many roles. According to the manager, Stan Szwagiel, “Staff carry out detailed inventories at regular intervals to keep tabs on our tree population.” They also ensure trees are watered, fertilized, and inoculated against diseases.

Caring for U of T’s trees goes beyond preserving campus aesthetics. Across the university’s three campuses, trees collectively capture more than 5,260 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, according to U of T’s Low-Carbon Action Plan. That’s in addition to providing benefits such as trapping pollutants, providing habitat for wildlife, reducing water runoff, and supporting human well-being.

Read more about F&S’s role in keeping campus trees safe and healthy

May 28, 2021
Adelaide Chan