The stumps and fallen trees of the Rideau River Pathway

Bob Whitelaw

There is an overlooked part of the Rideau River Pathway near Strathcona Park in Sandy Hill. Along the river, wildlife abounds—varieties of woodpeckers, ducks—geese, and the turtles which appear from time to time. These park residents and features offer a constantly changing landscape of sights and sounds for residents, visitors and certainly, photographers.

However, there is another part of the river pathway that remains silent and receives little attention.

Throughout parts of the park are the stumps of trees past, which once towered to the sky. Little can we know about the times in which these trees lived and the stories that they could tell. Their work of exchanging light and carbon dioxide into oxygen that we need has long passed but their presence carries on in the park, supporting insects and fungi as their ongoing contribution to the cycle of life.

Full credit to the overseers of the river pathways who know the importance of leaving many of the tree roots and fallen logs in place for between 20 and 50 years or longer. These monuments to the past remain in full view and should be seen with wonder at the trees that they nurtured and strongly supported.

On your next visit along the paths, take time to reflect on the many stumps left in their original place and ponder their past.