The Gillies Grove Nature Reserve in Arnprior has reopened to the public after five days of intensive scrutiny, assessment, and branch pruning following the April 5th ice storm.
The 22-hectare property features four different trail systems and some of the last remaining old growth forest in eastern Ontario.
Some trees on the property are in excess of 65 centimetres in diameter and more than 150 years old.
Gillies Grove is also home of Ontario’s tallest tree, a 47-metre-tall white pine.
Nature Conservancy of Canada coordinator for conservation biology in eastern Ontario, Megan Quinn, says the tree sustained some broken branches but is still standing.
She describes damage at Gillies Grove as “significant”, with many other trees downed.
Quinn says all fallen trees and debris have been removed and NCC staff will be monitoring the trails over the next few weeks for any weakened branches.
The coordinator for conservation biology thanks local partners enlisted for their efforts in the clean-up process.
By Rick Stow