Charlottetown’s Victoria Park trail system will undergo closure this week for the removal of invasive species using heavy equipment. According to Simon Wilmot, Charlottetown’s forest and environmental officer, Victoria Park’s wooded areas have been significantly impacted by various factors, starting with post-tropical storm Fiona in 2022.
Following the storm, the surviving trees faced challenges from diseases and insects such as bark disease and beech leaf-mining weevil affecting beech trees, along with invasive species targeting glossy buckthorns, Norway maples, and Asiatic bittersweets. Wilmot highlighted that the combined effects of these factors have led to increased sunlight reaching the ground, facilitating the proliferation of invasive species, particularly in the southern section of the park.
The city aims to restore the forested area to a Wabanaki-Acadian forest, comprising a diverse mix of hardwood and softwood species, shrubs, ferns, and forest flowers. Wilmot emphasized the historical evolution of Victoria Park from agricultural fields to recreational space and the subsequent growth of the forested area. The replanting strategy focuses on species with longer life cycles to enhance the park’s tree diversity and longevity.
Efforts to expedite the restoration process include the planting of a “complete ecosystem,” with visible results expected within a decade. While tree growth will take time, achieving a canopy closure conducive to diverse light conditions is a primary goal. The city has already initiated tree planting in some sections, aiming to replicate successful regeneration processes observed in the lower park area.