What can you do to help Garry oaks (Quercus garryana) and Garry oak and associated ecosystems?
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In Canada, unique Kwetlal or ḰȽO,EL also known as Garry oak meadows and woodlands form the natural habitat of southeastern Vancouver Island. They are one of the most endangered Canadian ecosystems. These plant communities are part of a cultural and ecological heritage and we have a responsibility to steward this ecosystem amidst many pressures that have substantially reduced its extent.
If you are concerned about Garry oak (Quercus garryana) trees (and other mature trees too) please consult our resource on caring for Garry oaks . Your voice matters as a member of the community or as a visitor. Get started by consulting with our FAQ page and learn how you can help the local population of Garry oak trees and associated ecosystems continue to expand so all may benefit from them. |
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You can also help protect and restore the oak meadows by following some of the suggestions below.
1. Convert your garden into a Garry oak meadow.
While it is not possible to duplicate a natural meadow, which has native grasses and rare species for which it is difficult to obtain seed, you can restore the natural habitat by planting Garry oaks (Quercus garryana), associated shrubs and wildflowers. Several local nurseries specialize in native plants; others may stock or order them if you let them know there is a demand. GOMPS has a list of where to obtain plants and seeds locally.
While it is not possible to duplicate a natural meadow, which has native grasses and rare species for which it is difficult to obtain seed, you can restore the natural habitat by planting Garry oaks (Quercus garryana), associated shrubs and wildflowers. Several local nurseries specialize in native plants; others may stock or order them if you let them know there is a demand. GOMPS has a list of where to obtain plants and seeds locally.
2. Collect Garry oak (Quercus garryana) acorns and grow your own trees.
In urban areas in particular, regeneration of locally adapted Garry oaks (Quercus garryana) is an increasing challenge; many people do not allow naturally distributed acorns to grow, and very few seedlings survive to maturity. You can assist nature by collecting Garry oak acorns from local trees in the fall and planting them in a place where it may thrive. The more acorns you collect, the better chance a seedling will survive. Poke the acorn on its side into your garden soil, cover with a handful of leaves, and surround it with wire mesh to protect it from scavenging rodents. Water through the first two summers, and keep grass cleared off in a 1 m circle around the seedling and at a 5 cm layer of woody mulch. Garry oaks are slow to grow; most of the initial growth occurs underground.
3. Let nature do the work.
Mimic nature to provide good growing conditions for Kwetlal/Garry oak ecosystems. After all, they have been surviving here for nearly 10,000 years.
Leave the leaves! If raking leaves is not your idea of a good time, you'll be pleased to learn that leaving the leaves supports many organisms and decomposition benefits plant communities.
4. Keep exotic/introduced biodiversity inhibitors under control.
Introduced smothering plants like English ivy (Hedera helix) can create stress on trees by shading the leaves and substantially increasing canopy load that may ultimately destabilize trees. Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), gorse (Ulex europaeus) and Daphne (Daphne laureola) are also biodiversity inhibiting introduced plants that smother out Indigenous wildflowers.
Remove these species by the roots, if you can, and any above ground parts of the plant if you are unable to remove the root system. Periodic checks will be required to remove any shoot reemergence. Local species of understory shrubs and wildflowers may grow from the seedbank if given space from the smothering nature of plants like English ivy. In some cases, planting potted Indigenous species may be advantageous to defend soil space from the continual reestablishment of smothering introduced species.
5. Minimize stress on trees.
Common sources of stress are removal of large branches and improper pruning cuts, wounding of trunks or roots, girdling injuries from cables or straps installed around trunks, over irrigation, and extended periods of drought.
6. Construction and existing trees can severely injure and destabilize trees.
If any digging, trenching or construction is required near a Garry oak:
7. Protect trees in your community.
Take action when you think Garry oaks (Quercus garryana) may be damaged or cut down.
8. Remember that Garry oaks (Quercus garryana) are only one species in Kwetlal/Garry oak ecosystems.
All levels of government need to be lobbied for more protection for this endangered ecosystem. For example, municipalities need to use the stewardship tools given them in the Municipal Act. Unless the public demands that they do so, local governments are reluctant to pass bylaws protecting habitat.
9. Support local environmental non-profits that purchase endangered Garry oak habitat to ensure its protection and public access in perpetuity.
In urban areas in particular, regeneration of locally adapted Garry oaks (Quercus garryana) is an increasing challenge; many people do not allow naturally distributed acorns to grow, and very few seedlings survive to maturity. You can assist nature by collecting Garry oak acorns from local trees in the fall and planting them in a place where it may thrive. The more acorns you collect, the better chance a seedling will survive. Poke the acorn on its side into your garden soil, cover with a handful of leaves, and surround it with wire mesh to protect it from scavenging rodents. Water through the first two summers, and keep grass cleared off in a 1 m circle around the seedling and at a 5 cm layer of woody mulch. Garry oaks are slow to grow; most of the initial growth occurs underground.
3. Let nature do the work.
Mimic nature to provide good growing conditions for Kwetlal/Garry oak ecosystems. After all, they have been surviving here for nearly 10,000 years.
Leave the leaves! If raking leaves is not your idea of a good time, you'll be pleased to learn that leaving the leaves supports many organisms and decomposition benefits plant communities.
4. Keep exotic/introduced biodiversity inhibitors under control.
Introduced smothering plants like English ivy (Hedera helix) can create stress on trees by shading the leaves and substantially increasing canopy load that may ultimately destabilize trees. Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), gorse (Ulex europaeus) and Daphne (Daphne laureola) are also biodiversity inhibiting introduced plants that smother out Indigenous wildflowers.
Remove these species by the roots, if you can, and any above ground parts of the plant if you are unable to remove the root system. Periodic checks will be required to remove any shoot reemergence. Local species of understory shrubs and wildflowers may grow from the seedbank if given space from the smothering nature of plants like English ivy. In some cases, planting potted Indigenous species may be advantageous to defend soil space from the continual reestablishment of smothering introduced species.
5. Minimize stress on trees.
Common sources of stress are removal of large branches and improper pruning cuts, wounding of trunks or roots, girdling injuries from cables or straps installed around trunks, over irrigation, and extended periods of drought.
- Contact an ISA Certified Arborist knowledgeable about Garry oaks for advice on how to best manage pruning required for removal of hazards and for clearance from structures.
- Remove sticky tree bands annually to prevent trunk girdling injuries.
- Use bark protection wraps beneath straps for outdoor gyms and slacklines and remove straps when they are not in use to prevent trunk girdling injuries.
- Water roots for a long period once bi-weekly during extended periods of drought, particularly where soil depth is shallow.
6. Construction and existing trees can severely injure and destabilize trees.
If any digging, trenching or construction is required near a Garry oak:
- Consult your local government's tree protection bylaw, as Garry oak root systems are often bylaw protected and defined as a "Critical Root Zone" or "Tree Protection Zone". Excavation work within this protected area typically requires a permit from your local government's urban forest authority.
- Contact an ISA Certified Arborist knowledgeable of Garry oaks and familiar with managing trees through construction for advice before breaking ground.
7. Protect trees in your community.
Take action when you think Garry oaks (Quercus garryana) may be damaged or cut down.
- Talk to your neighbours, the municipal parks departments, contractors, and developers about growing and caring for Garry oaks and Indigenous plants.
- Garry oaks are protected trees in most Capital Regional District municipalities. Encourage local politicians to strengthen tree protection bylaws, and to adequately resource tree bylaw departments to ensure the outcomes intended by bylaws are achieved.
8. Remember that Garry oaks (Quercus garryana) are only one species in Kwetlal/Garry oak ecosystems.
All levels of government need to be lobbied for more protection for this endangered ecosystem. For example, municipalities need to use the stewardship tools given them in the Municipal Act. Unless the public demands that they do so, local governments are reluctant to pass bylaws protecting habitat.
9. Support local environmental non-profits that purchase endangered Garry oak habitat to ensure its protection and public access in perpetuity.