It was a bit cool and overcast but over 35 people showed up before 10 o’clock to explore the natural area at the corner of Riverside Rd and Hunt Club. Owen Clarkin, Chair of Conservation for the OFNC was leading the walk, in collaboration with Andrei Grushman from the Hunt Club Community Association.

The most direct route from our meeting spot at Kimberwick and Chancellor was too muddy to use so the group went the long way around up to Riverside and down the paved path to the end of the soccer field. Part way down we stopped to learn about a Swamp White Oak. This species is becoming more common. Despite its name, it does not require watering and can withstand compacted soil, making it ideal for busy play areas. Its leaf is quite unique for an oak.

Just below the soccer field we walked down the path to the top of the ravine. There Owen pointed out a very large and healthy Butternut tree. The Butternut is considered an endangered species and is protected in Ontario. Many Butternuts have succumbed to the Butternut canker fungus. The development proposed for mixed residential units at the corner of Hunt Club and Riverside would likely result in this Butternut being cut down to make way for water utilities and a 10-metre-wide recreational path.

We continued down the path to the pump house where there was a good example of Round-leaved Dogwood. This species has a green base with purple streaks on the stalks. Unlike the more common, Alternate-leaved Dogwood just beside it, the Round-leaved does not get yellow cankers. The Round-leaved Dogwood population in Ottawa is the farthest southeast location known in eastern Ontario with no records until you reach Cornwall.

Jonathan Mack found an example of a Scarlet Cup Fungus. It appears in muddy areas in the spring.

The group continued along the trail following the edge of the Rideau River. The bite in the wind was felt in this area. We passed a Canada Yew, which has poisonous properties.

A bit farther on we were rewarded with a Slippery Elm, which is much less common than the American Elm. Its unique bark with deep fissures is reported to have medicinal qualities when chewed or dried and ground. The leaves have small serrations. This tree is one of the larger slippery elms still living in the city of Ottawa (due to historic overexploitation and Dutch Elm disease). Few botanists or even foresters are familiar with this species.

As always there will be invasive species. This 1967 Oldsmobile has seen better days. At least it will not be spreading.

There was considerable scrambling over downed trees and mucky areas but eventually we reached the highlight of the trip – a 250-year-old Yellow Birch. It looked a bit scraggly but after all those years it was entitled to show its age. If you looked up with binoculars you could see the newer branches at the top looked like more conventional Yellow Birch. This tree is completely hollow providing good habitat for other wildlife.

Here is Owen showing the Yellow Birch, with its wide base, to the group.

Interestingly, the old Yellow Birch is just down the hill from the butternut we saw near the beginning of the walk. We had come the long way around but some hardy souls crawled up the hill to get back to their cars.

Not far from the birch was a very large Peachleaf Willow. This particular tree is among the largest that has been measured of its kind. Other, less large, mature examples are scattered throughout the area. This uncommon willow does not look like any other willow we are familiar with. It was lording it over the other trees around it in a most ungainly manner.

At this point it was about noon and the group took a rest and snack break. Many of us had to leave. Reportedly those who remained saw a lot of the invasive Glossy Buckthorn, as well as Beaked Hazelnut, Striped Maple and a stand of Black Ash.

An excellent outing to learn more about our backyard as well as the possible threat of a new development.