From a small Japanese maple tree rescued from an advancing development to a beloved huge silver maple tree appreciated by adults and playing children alike, Guelph has some great trees with some great stories behind them.
The 2018 Great Guelph Tree Hunt contest run by Guelph Urban Forest Friends concluded with an awards ceremony on the weekend that celebrated the best and most beloved trees in the city.
Trees were submitted by the public and GUFF visited the trees, which were on both private and public property, to select the winners.
In total, 11 awards were handed out in a variety of categories and species chosen from 46 submissions.
A full list of winners can be found here.
Also awarded was the first Henry Kock Award, given to "a noble tree, cherished by the community for its heritage value and as a fine example of its species” and named in honour of the late Henry Kock, a tree champion in Guelph and around the province.
The inaugural Henry Kock Award was given to the elm tee at 63 Alice St.
Most beloved small tree award went to a Japanese maple at 1 Thomasfield Dr. in the city's south end.
The tree was dug up by hand by a group of residents to protect it from being cut down as part of an apartment building on the corner of Edinburgh and Kortright.
"It had brought great delight to the parishioners of St Mattias Church which was demolished and now continues to charm at its new location," said the submission.
Most beloved tree was the silver maple on the pathway leading to Marksam Park from Westwood Drive.
"It is the only tree that got 2 separate nominations! It is among the biggest silver maples in Guelph and is beloved by the youth of the neighbourhood who hide in it during games after school and students at Westwood Public School who use it as a gathering point," said GUFF in a news release of the awards.