Welland Canal tree project to bring ‘pollinator-friendly habitat’

You’re likely going to notice less trees along parts of the Welland Canal.

That’s because of a new project being led by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp., to remove trees and shrubs is to prevent long-term structural damage.

The Seaway says the removal is needed for stability and safety reasons to prevent overgrown tree roots and the possibility of the bank eroding.

One of three locations where the removal is happening is near Glendale Avenue.

So far there are signs on the trail letting people know work is being done.

The removal is taking place at two other locations in St. Catharines along the Welland Canal.

One is near the Homer Bridge and the other near Lakeshore Road in Port Weller.

The removal was identified as a necessity in 2016 and has gone through different processes since then.

The work is being done in three stages, according to the project website, starting with tree clearing from mid-November until Dec. 19.

Then between January and March, tree stumps and roots will be removed.

Once complete, the Seaway says there will be more grass and over 10,000 sq. metres of “pollinator-friendly habitat.”

When asked about the project on the “Trees for All” program page, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority says it is not involved with the removal project.

However, two groups are working together to plant trees in other suitable locations in a separate Niagara tree planting initiative.

In the meantime, parts of the path trail in the area have been closed temporarily on weekdays between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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