The man who plants rare trees in Quebec

Once abundant, a dozen species of trees native to Quebec are now in danger of extinction. What can be done to preserve this forest heritage? Plant these majestic hardwoods on your property, even in the middle of the city, says geographer-botanist Charles Lussier.

“There is danger at home,” says this agroforestry consultant who has dedicated himself for 20 years to reintroducing rare trees on agricultural plots in Montérégie and Centre-du-Québec. “That’s where they were at the time, before the white man landed in America.”

Large forests covered, in fact, all of southern Quebec before the arrival of Europeans. From Lake Saint-Pierre to Lake Champlain, they were full of white oaks, hackberry trees, black maples and other species that have now almost disappeared, victims of their natural virtues.

“These forests were cleared in less than a century and a half, between 1740 and 1880,” explains the geographer. “The white oaks, in particular, were sent to British shipyards. They were used to build the English fleet. Their wood was sought after for its flexibility and strength. Their bending can reach 90 degrees.”

The Thomas elm and the oval hickory were prized for their very dense wood generated by very slow growth.

“Forestry activity for the furniture, veneer and flooring industry is largely responsible for the decline in these species. Deforestation for agriculture has also played a role in this deforestation,” Mr. Lussier emphasizes.

Biodiversity in danger

In addition to the loss of companion species that are beneficial in particular to maple groves, the near disappearance of these trees has depleted the food supply of wildlife that fed on their nuts, drupes and samaras, he laments.

Today, eight species native to Quebec are considered rare or very rare, such as the Virginia juniper, the pitch pine and the Thomas elm. They often owe their survival to the protection afforded them by government ecological reserves. Quebec is said to have only 2,500 Thomas elm stems left – whose wood is “hard as concrete,” says Mr. Lussier.

Determined not to see these species die out, Charles Lussier took the bull by the horns.

For 20 years, with the help of farmers, he has been working hard to grow these species along waterways, at the end of fields or in windbreak hedges in the hope of seeing them spread and multiply. He estimates that he has planted 60,000 trees since the beginning of the millennium.

“It’s not much when you think that a planter can plant up to 4,000 trees a day. What I do is gardening. I plant them delicately and, when I leave, the tree looks like a medieval knight in his chain mail,” he says with a laugh.

Thriving in the city

Preserving these rare species is not the prerogative of farmers. Single-family homeowners can also play a role, believes Charles Lussier, since these trees can thrive very well in the city. A 625-square-foot (25 ft. x 25 ft.) lot is enough to keep these trees happy, which can reach 75 feet in height.

Quebec is located in the northern part of the range of these species, which sometimes extends as far as Texas. Rising temperatures should maintain a climate favourable to their growth, believes the geographer.

“The greater Montreal area, with its loamy soil, is the natural territory of these species. The protection from the winds offered by houses and buildings also provides them with a beautiful growing habitat,” he notes. As proof, he cites the large hackberry trees that grew around Laurier Park when he lived in the Plateau Mont-Royal. “I hope they are still there.”

Charles Lussier is indeed optimistic about the future. “The situation would be catastrophic in 50 years if we did nothing now. But I see a lot of people who are interested in preserving these native species. I have hope,” he concludes.

Suggestions for the home

Oval Hickory

This tree is a hardwood with grayish bark that frays into long vertical strips. It gets its name from its oval-shaped leaves. Its growth is slow during its first seven years before accelerating thereafter. At maturity, it reaches a height of 25 meters. The shagbark hickory is perfect for large areas. It especially likes rich, moist soils, and thrives in full sun.

Two-tone oak

This very rare species of hardwood is valued for its imposing stature and longevity. Its life expectancy exceeds 300 years. It gets its name from its leaves that are green on the upper side and whitish on the lower side. It grows at a medium speed to reach a height of 22 meters. It prefers moist, well-drained and slightly acidic soils, but it is also adaptable to a variety of soil conditions. Its ability to withstand occasional flooding makes it well suited to riparian strips and wetlands.

White oak

Like the bicolor oak, this hardwood species is highly valued for its imposing stature and longevity. Some specimens live for over 500 years. Larger than the bicolor, it can reach 28 meters in height. It takes its name from the color of its wood, once worked. Its leaves turn red in the fall. It likes soils that are balanced in terms of moisture and drainage. It is shade tolerant, but prefers abundant sunshine.

Western Hackberry

This 18-metre-tall deciduous tree stands out for its slender silhouette and dense foliage. It is known to be robust and undemanding in terms of care. Its small greenish flowers in spring play a crucial role in attracting pollinators. It produces small, round, sweet fruits that attract local wildlife. Highly tolerant, it particularly appreciates rich, well-drained soils. It adapts to both full sun and partial shade.