Representatives from the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and their visiting 1862 Canal Schooner replica, the Lois McClure, presented white pine and white oak trees to the Village of Fairport Tuesday morning.
In addition to celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal, Captain of the Lois McClure Erick Tischonuk, said the seedlings tell the story of how important their wood was to building canal boats in the 19th century.
"When you’re building boats in the northern portion of North America, you're looking for woods that are going to be durable, rot resistant and looking for their strength."
Tischonuk said they set off on the three-month tour to talk about the impact canals have on the environment, both good and bad. New York State saw deforestation in the 1800s in part facilitated by construction of the canal.
Mayor of the Village of Fairport Fritz May said they plan to plant theirs someone along the canal shore.
"And my joke was in 150 years when they need them again they’ll be mature and easy to harvest because they’re going to be right next to the water."
By the end of its tour in October, the 88 foot long Lois McClure will drop off trees in 37 ports.
Free tours of the boat are available to the public until 7pm Tuesday afternoon.
Here's a quick walking tour of the Lois McClure:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_3NTV5Vo_U&feature=youtu.be