Saplings ripped out of London park to be replanted at monastery

A London-based non-profit is replanting saplings after 120 freshly planted trees were ripped out of the ground last month.

The Sisters of the Precious Blood Monastery, located next to Brescia College, has offered space on its land for ReForest London's 90 saplings that survived the vandalism.

"We were really horrified that anyone would think of this because it's such a beautiful gesture, not for anybody's benefit, but for the whole world," Sister Linda said. "It was just mind boggling why anybody would do this."

ReForest London had originally planted the trees in late September on top of a grassy hillside on the west end of the Arthur Ford Park park, off Viscount Road. Three days later, all 120 saplings had been uprooted and discarded in a pile nearby.

The Sisters made their offer to ReForest London, letting them know there was space on the monastery grounds to replant the trees.

The tree-planting organization had been in a holding pattern, according to Rodger Moran, the executive director. Determined to replant, they reached out to the city to determine what the next steps would be, and whether they would replant the trees in the same location, but no plan had been finalized before the sisters contacted them.

"We were really touched by the generosity of them offering their land and for their support of us as an organization over the last several years," Moran said.

It's not the first time ReForest London has partnered with the monastery to plant trees. They recently planted a "mini forest" on the grounds, along with other projects over the last five years.

The two organizations have since developed a close relationship, rooted in their shared goal of environmental preservation, Sister Linda said.

When the trees are grown, the sisters envision a "place of beauty, renewal and refreshment" not only for their own community, but others in the area as well, she said, adding that their only condition is that it remain a quiet space.

Moran is happy with the new location, he said, hoping it will provide an escape for those who live nearby and Western University students — a nice spot to get some "solace in their busy lives," he added.

The uprooting of the trees has certainly put the issue of vandalism on the radar at ReForest London, he said, but he does not believe it is a cause for concern moving forward.

The organization has planted over 500,000 trees throughout London since 2005, and this is the first time anything like that has happened, Moran added.

As news of the incident gained traction online, there was an outpouring of support, Moran said, from previous sponsors getting in touch to ask how they could help, to individuals reaching out to city councillors.

It's been remarkable to see Londoners really get behind them, he said.

ReForest London has always had a large volunteer base but after hearing about the saplings, more and more people have been contacting them for the first time, he explained.

"I think that the story really touched people and activated them to get involved in the community, which we just love seeing," he said.

The replanting is happening Wednesday evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. behind the monastery, and anyone wishing to attend can register online.