The year was 1860 and the town was more than rough around the edges. Our papers were asking, “is it not disgraceful that the Public Square (Queen Square) which should be an ornament to the city, should present . . . the appearance of a farmer’s pig pen or a cow shed?”
The call to action did start some planting that same year but without much protection; many trees were soon damaged. It was not until the 24th of May, 1884 when the first Arbor Day was held and the newly formed Arbor Society tackled the job with 300 trees planted that first year. The list of participants on that Saturday was impressive as was the number of species they planted - 21 different varieties including bushes that would be valuable for birds. The Society defined which species were allowed and the size required and someone was in charge of each public square.
But quickly it was realized that this noble pursuit required more helpers and within two years
“It was deemed advisable to secure the hearty cooperation of the Education authorities and the children of the public schools.”
Saturday May 8th 1886 was declared a public holiday and 1,000 children paraded around the town to be addressed by the Lt Gov from the balcony of Province House. Arbor Day continued to be observed in the school system for decades. Programs included recitations, singing, speeches, band music, as well as tree planting. It was at one such event that the Island Hymn by Lucy Maud Montgomery was first performed in 1908.
1903 saw 200 trees planted under Mayor Paton’s direction, to line Elm Ave. - what is now known as University Ave. running from Allen St. to Euston St.
All this effort was producing results and a New Brunswick paper in 1885 noticed that the, “desert waste known as Queen Square . . . had been converted into a thing of beauty - a veritable oasis.”
Much credit for beautification should go to people like Arthur Newbery who showed personal dedication; being well placed within the public service also helped him advance the beautification effort. Others like Henry Smith, planted many trees personally, and as chairman of the Charlottetown School Board in 1921 he would recall the history of Arbor Day for the children assembled at Prince St. School:
“Thirty-seven years ago there were very few trees in the public squares or streets of Charlottetown. Today we see them all around us as they are budding into leaf... These trees have transformed the city and clothed it in a verdure of living beauty. This is all the result of one day in each year by the Arbor Society, and the teachers and pupils of our City Schools.” He concluded his talk with describing our city as “one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the Dominion of Canada.”
We have much to be thankful for - while elms remain an enduring legacy due to their impressive size and graceful shape we can also thank the beautification founders for their emphasis on many varieties so that our urban canopy continues to be rich in tree species.
In looking ahead they knew, and we inherit that wisdom - to continue to plant more trees, and to protect the ones we have.
- Ian Scott, Charlottetown, April 22, 2015
Read at a special evening of tribute and remembrance for the elm trees of Charlottetown, held at Trinity United Church.
