As Clarence Porter sits in his quiet Stellarton home, one can't help but notice the pleasant calmness he exudes. At 90 years of age, the former mayor of Stellarton seems very satisfied with the life he has lived so far, and is now building a legacy.
He recently purchased 25 empress splendor trees from a seller in Falmouth. They have been planted around Pictou County, some in Abercrombie and some in Stellarton.
Porter said it's an experiment with a species of trees that is new to the area and also something for younger generations to observe as they grow.
"There's an old Chinese proverb that says: 'Civilization is when old men plant trees under whose shade they will never sit.' So, I'm the old man."
Porter comes from a family who worked in forestry, so it's no wonder he has such an interest in trees. His grandfather worked in sawmills around the coastal areas of Pictou County. There were no motors at that time so he would build rafts out of the lumber and would let the tide carry the rafts to the East River, where customers would pick up their order.
Porter has travelled much of Europe and witnessed their forestry practices. He said it's a large contributor to their economy, creating jobs at every level from the seedlings in the greenhouses to the harvesting.
"Their silviculture requires the workforce."
He said European forestry also requires pruning and spacing of the trees before harvesting, which in turn results in a higher quality wood with no knots.
"That is something we're missing out on."
Empress splendor trees produce a high quality hardwood and Porter is hoping Pictou County will catch on to the fast growing tree as a new edition to the forest industry.
The trees triple their size in just three weeks and within one year will grow to be 10 to 20 feet tall. Their large leaves consume high amounts of carbon dioxide.
Although the tree is native to Australia, they can withstand harsh Canadian winters. They can also handle the high winds during hurricane season because their roots reach deep into the ground.
Growing a legacy
Growing a legacy
- Published on July 14th, 2009
- Published on December 30th, 2009
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Laura Yorke
Local man introducing a new tree species to area
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Comments
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- Cameron
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:18:20
http://www.empresssplendorcanada.com -has all kinds of information on this tree.
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- arthur
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:18:19
What a nice story.
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- Rob
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:05:26
This is to duhhhhhhhhhhh,Geta life you know it all
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- Don
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:56:13
Where would I get one of these trees???
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- Mary
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:48:47
Duhhhh from Duhhsville, since your so smart ....of course you can provide everyone with the name of the seller and contact info....
This species sounds like real good option for new subdivisions popping up as the trees mature faster. -
- Jason
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:15:24
I think that is an incredible idea. Hopefully this turns out well. I wonder if they are an expensive seedling??
Thank You Clarence. -
- Dazed and.....
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:12:56
An inspiration,from a good person.
Good luck Mr.Porter and thank you -
- Duhhhh
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:07:41
Duhhhhhhhhhhhh,what stupid questions,Where can i buy one?
Duhhh,people,re-read the 2nd paragraph,Clarence bought them from a seller in Falmouth,now come on Duhhhers,how many tree sellers is there in a small place like Falmouth?
Duhhhhhhhhhhhhh -
- Lee
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:57:39
I would love to plant one of those trees here in Westville. Where could I get one?
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- Paul
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:57:38
Realistically, if everyone planted one tree, whether or not it was this type or not, we'd all be doing ourselves and everyone else such a huge favor. A favor that would outweigh CFL lightbulbs and all of our other green movements such as electric cars. Plant some trees, they suck up C02 like no ones business and they're great to look at. Nobody can say that they aren't. They make our neighborhoods more friendly and cozy and give fresh and clean oxygen.
Also, they're highly accessible to just about everyone. Makes sense right? -
- Sweet....
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:57:20
Sweet....and hats off to you Mr. Porter, thinking to the future and I sure hope you do get to sit under the shade of those wonderful trees in the years to come!
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- jack
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:54:18
and when all the trees grow up the clear cutters can come back in and take them all out
