Historic nature of Woodside

Perhaps the most notable of the trees still at Woodside is the large, double-trunk tulip tree growing near the lily pond, behind the historic house. This tree was said to have been planted by John King himself in 1886. The tree has been banded together as a way of protecting it, and although one side is dead, removing that half would result in the loss of the entire tree.
Woodside sits near the very northern edge of the tulip tree’s natural growing range. Although tulip trees make very valuable timber due to their strength, lack of limbs, growth rate and lifespan, many of these trees are planted for their ornamental appeal, much like this one. The flowers of this tree, which have an orange base and yellow-green pedals, can typically be seen in full bloom around mid-June.

At the beginning of site restoration, William Lyon Mackenzie King remembered “a beautiful lilac tree” that grew near the porch leading to the kitchen.
The bright flowering, woody plant is a member of the olive family, and typically range between two and ten metres in height. Lilac is native to southeastern Europe and eastern Asia, meaning the tree would have been planted by owners of the property for its decorative appeal. It is worth noting that lilacs are now considered an invasive species and should no be propagated. 

While spanning a large area in the eastern half of the United States, the natural growing range of black walnut trees in Canada extends only a short way into southwestern Ontario, putting Woodside right near its northern boundary. However, this deciduous tree is still able to flourish throughout the property. One of these trees in particular, west of the parking lot, is believed to predate the house itself.
Walnut was, and still is, a great source of timber. Being that it is heavy and strong wood, it has often been used for gun stocks, flooring, and furniture. Much of the furniture you’ll find in Woodside is made from walnut timber, including parts of Mr. King’s gun cabinet, parts of the table in the parlour, and various other pieces around the house.

White pine is a native coniferous species to most of southern, and bits of northern Ontario, as well as the north-eastern American states. It has been widely grown in plantation forestry because of its knot-free and easy-to-cut timber. Historically, it has been used for furniture, floor paneling, and ship masts.
Woodside would have had its own pine orchard, much like the one that can be seen today on the western portion of the property, where you’ll find the trees planted in rows. It was a favourite spot of the King children for camping, reading and studying.
“I recalled vividly and had the thought while lying there under the pine trees in the orchard, wondering if someday I might be able to come back after years of public service and secure as my home the place of my childhood, ‘Woodside’”. -William Lyon Mackenzie King

The natural growing region of the eastern white-cedar sits much farther north than many of the other trees we have at Woodside. This coniferous tree would have been abundant in the swamplands that covered the northeast portion of the property. It grows particularly well in these damp areas, where other faster-growing trees cannot compete. In some conditions, this tree can have a very long lifespan, with some species living hundreds of years.
Over time, the swamplands had been filled in and many of the cedars had been removed. More recently, however, a tree planting initiative at Woodside included the addition of 46 white-cedar trees to the eastern and northeastern swampy areas of the property. This has helped significantly in blocking the view of surrounding industrial land, and restored the denser, greener historical setting all year-round.