Windsor is home to one of the oldest trees in Ontario.
Forests Ontario has given a 225-year-old sycamore tree on Roseland Dr. W. 'Heritage Tree' status.
Heritage plaque on a 225-year-old Sycamore Tree in South Windsor (by AM800's Peter Langille)
It's one of just 40 trees across the province to receive the designation.
The land the tree sits on is owned by Andre Abouasli, who says he purchased the property to save the tree. "It's a pretty old tree. Like I said and I keep saying, it's four times more than I am. So how could you not save it? There's nothing living this long around us anywhere. So why can't we save it? It could be the oldest thing in Windsor."
Sycamore Tree in South Windsor, 225 years old, is designated a Heritage Tree. One of only about 40 in Ontario. #CKLW pic.twitter.com/5MMNKUcU27
— Peter Langille (@PLangille800) May 8, 2017
Toni Ellis with Forests Ontario says it's important to protect trees like this. "The seeds that come off of a tree like this are probably very strong with survivor genetics, contain survivor genetics, right? In most cases we will try to collect the seeds from these trees and somebody will propagate them because, as I said, theses are very sturdy trees.
Forests Ontario is recognizing heritage trees across the province as part of Canada's 150th birthday celebration.
Residents are encouraged to head to forestsontario.ca to nominate heritage trees in their neighbourhoods.