Photo by Judith Carder. GOMPS Garry oak seedlings at the Little Spirits Garden in Royal Oak Burial Park. May 2026.
We are delighted to share an update on several Garry oak seedlings that recently found a new home at the Little Spirits Garden in Royal Oak Burial Park.
Earlier this year, retired minister David Spence visited the Garry Oak Meadow Preservation Society nursery, made a donation in support of our work, and selected a number of locally grown Garry oak seedlings for planting at the Burial Park.
On April 22, Earth Day, after the seedlings had been planted by Royal Oak Burial Park staff, David conducted a Tree Blessing ceremony to mark the occasion and celebrate the beginning of the trees’ long lives in this special place.
The photographs below show the young oaks leafing out in their new home. Seeing fresh growth on these seedlings is always rewarding, particularly when they have been planted in a setting dedicated to remembrance, reflection, and connection with the natural world.
As Garry oak ecosystems continue to decline across their range, every new planting contributes to the future of this remarkable species and the hundreds of plants, insects, birds, and other organisms that depend upon it.
We extend our thanks to David Spence and the staff at Royal Oak Burial Park for helping to create a lasting legacy through the planting and stewardship of these young Garry oaks.
We look forward to watching them grow for generations to come.
