New trees take root at St. Joe’s Hospital in Hamilton for Clean Air Day

When it comes to breathing easier, experts say a healthy environment is a must.

And that was the focus at St. Joe’s Hospital in downtown Hamilton Wednesday as patients, families and health care workers from the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health enjoyed a new green space.

“Here in Hamilton, we know that trees are important. We have our own initiatives to work on increasing our urban canopy and plant more trees,” said Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath.

The new collaboration between Trees for Life, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, the Lung Health Foundation and other organizations aims to improve air quality in urban areas and pay tribute to frontline healthcare workers.

“From a mental health standpoint, burnout is a real problem from a health care worker standpoint, but also to patients who are struggling with their personal health and whatever they’re going through on their journey, it gives them a chance to recharge,” said lung surgeon Christian Finely.

Back in 2023, a study led by the city of Hamilton found there were cancer-linked contaminants in Hamilton’s air. Today, Environment Canada says Hamilton’s air quality has a moderate risk.

“As a lung surgeon, I can tell you that we do more lung cancer operations here than any other center in Ontario. In a city that has an industrial base and with a high tobacco smoking population, it’s really a benefit to us to have trees like this around,” said Finely.

Staff at Trees for Life say that the trees that were planted Wednesday are in an adolescent stage. But in the next 10 to 20 years, when they fully mature, one tree will be able to provide oxygen for up to four people.

“That’s really the beauty of trees. We plant them now for the benefits to be reaped by the generations that come after us,” said Development Director Mike Hurley.

Hurley says in honor of national Clean Air Day, a total of 42 trees, all different native species, were planted.

“Trees provide us with oxygen. They sequester carbon dioxide. They filter pollutants from the atmosphere. And there are a lot of studies out there that demonstrate the links between not only improved health, but specifically improved lung health and trees in our communities,” said Hurley.

Hurley says the goal is to plant 150,000 trees across Canada by the end of 2025, and so far Trees for Life has planted 50,000.

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