Landscape Management Plan prior to work at the Catherine-Crolo Pavilion Forest and Shrub Regeneration Plan

For the past fifteen years, Maison Saint-Gabriel has implemented a tree and shrub regeneration plan. We systematically replace every tree that has been lost due to strong winds or that must be removed for safety reasons.

We also maintain a strategic tree replacement program by planting younger trees in anticipation of the medium-term removal of mature and/or diseased trees.

The tree inventory of the Saint-Gabriel estate was updated in 2024. Each documented tree has been precisely geolocated.

The Maison Saint-Gabriel estate currently has a canopy cover index of 57%, which is more than twice that of the City of Montreal. In comparison, the canopy cover index for the Island of Montreal is just over 25%.

In this way, the objectives we are pursuing at MSG are to help reduce heat islands, improve air quality, enhance the appearance of the Pointe-Saint-Charles neighbourhood within a relatively industrialised area, preserve animal biodiversity, and improve soil and rainwater management.

Tree removal and replacement

The construction of an annex to the Catherine-Crolo Welcome pavilion is aims to house the Congregation of Notre-Dame’s archive centre and to provide space for museum and archival storage. For the Congregation of Notre-Dame, this project represents an important legacy for future generations: the preservation of the historical and cultural memory of a community that has dedicated more than three and a half centuries to educating youth in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and beyond.

Unfortunately, the construction of this annex will require the removal of twelve trees:

1) Siberian elm

2) Horse chestnut

3) Sugar maple

4) Silver maple

5) Silver maple

6) Giguère maple

7) American elm

8) Honeycrisp apple tree

9) Western hackberry

10) Red oak

11) Japanese lilac

12) Yellow birch

As part of the project, these trees must be removed as most are located within the construction zone, whilst others risk having their root systems severely affected by the excavation work. This damage would cause them significant stress and would ultimately lead to their decline and inevitable death.

The removed trees will be systematically replaced by other, predominantly native tree species, carefully selected for their quality and resilience to our climate. In addition, we will plant four additional trees:

1) American elm

2) Sweet chestnut

3) Sugar maple

4) Red maple

5) Freeman’s maple

6) White oak

7) Prairie Fire apple tree

8) Prairie Fire apple tree

9) Large-leaved beech

10) Western hackberry

11) Western hackberry

12) Red oak

13) Oval hickory

14) Red pine

15) Pendula white spruce

16) North Pole white spruce

17) North Pole white spruce

Furthermore, trees located on the perimeter of the construction site will be carefully protected by the contractor. The contractor will be responsible for protecting the trunks and root systems of the surrounding trees. Pruning measures will also be implemented to ensure the protection of branches.

It should be noted that, in line with our forest and shrub regeneration plan, we will continue to plant at least five trees each year to maintain, or even improve, our canopy cover.

Plants, shrubs and landscaping

As part of this major project, certain shrub and plant beds around the Catherine-Crolo Pavilion will be removed. Many perennials, including some very rare species, will be carefully relocated from the construction areas and replanted in designated “nurseries” throughout the estate.

The presence of these nurseries – which serve as a kind of Noah’s Ark for our perennials – will allow the plants to be preserved and continue growing throughout the duration of the construction work. They will also allow us to divide and propagate our plants, ensuring their multiplication when the time comes to replant them at the end of the project.

The irrigation system will also be modified to accommodate the construction work. These modifications will enable us to continue watering all areas of the site that require it.

The Jardin des Origines will be partially dismantled to ensure the safety of the granite paving stones. These paving stones will be stored for the duration of the work and will be reinstalled once project is complete.

Archaeology

As part of this project, a preliminary archaeological assessment will be carried out. This will enable us to determine the nature and value of the archaeological resources in the areas where excavation work will take place. A report will then be prepared and shared with the Ministry of Culture and the site owner.

Any artefacts potentially unearthed during the excavations will be catalogued in a laboratory, analyzed and placed under the care of the Maison Saint-Gabriel, which has a professional team of museologists who will ensure their preservation and, eventually, their interpretation and presentation to the public.