The Rural Voice, 1979-07, Page 9FOREST COVER IN WINGHAM
DISTRICT
(SHOWN AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL AREA BY TOWNSHIP)
LEGEND
0%t -5.0%
.. • • 5.1%-10.0%G
-- - 10.12-i5.0%
4:GREATER THAN 151If
0
.'
0
O.
•
doe°0,o 0000 o.o-J'SO
41.6.,
Rrik•
. T ?},EN .• .. • • • • i
11— \./
RIOAR'H'°
AA rook..
:14:3
S: EASTHOP E i
?,6 1149.0
from the Ministry
of Natural Resources
Oxford Men of the Trees
promote planting
BY BEV BROWN
In 1973, a group of critizens in Oxford
County became concerned about the
disappearing woodlots and trees in their
area. They knew that trees stop erosion
from water and wind and in the winter
time, trees can act as a snow fence.
The group called themselves the Oxford
Men of the Trees and their resource person
was Dr. Vance from the Ontario Foresters
Association. Their interest was to
encourage people to plant trees in any area
that could use a woodlot.
Dr. Vance hired a young forestry
student who went around to talk to the
schools and set up booths at the various
fairs.
The group set up the Oxford Tree Fund
for charitable donations that were exempt
from income tax.
The Junior Farmers were particularly
effective in the tree planting program.
"Ninety-one percent of Oxford County
(over 500,000 acres) consists of Class I,I1 &
1
III land," explained Charlie Tatham, a
member of the original group, "and it
certainly v as not our intention to put this
land back under tree cover. But there are
about 20,000 acres in Oxford which could
go back to bush --- scrappy land or the side
of a hill --- a spot here and a spot there".
One of the major accomplishments of the
Oxford Group is the building of a two mile
wide park, extending from Woodstock to
Beachville. The Canada Cement Company
sold them 235 acres of land at the same
price they had paid 25 years before.
Canada Cement then planted 35,000 trees.
Essex and Kent counties have had tree
programs since the bad winter of 1970-71.
Charlie Tatham would like to encourage
other counties to set up similar programs.
"We need more trees," he said.
"Government ministries need to be
encouraged not to cut down trees, and
everyone should be urged to plant more
trees."
PLETCH
ELECTRIC
WINGHAM
• Residential
• Farm
• Industrial
• Commercial
Phone Collect
357-1583
•
Doupe's
Equipment
Ltd.
RR 4, Kincardine
SERVING THE AREA SINCE 1999
DEALERS FOR
CASE
GEHL
KUBOTA
BUSHOG
Sales -Service -Rentals
We make all types of
Hydraulic hose up to 11/2"
while you wait.
R.R.II4 KINCARDINE
395-2685
THE RURAL VOICE/JULY 1979 PG. 7