Toronto had its moose, Calgary its cows and Winnipeg still has its polar bears.

London? How about trees?

We are, after all, the Forest City.

How about Carolinian trees -- oak, hickory, walnut, cottonwood -- trees that stand 4.5 metres, with sparse foliage of 20-centimetre-wide leaves in colours ranging from lime green to yellow to blue to red, and even hot pink?

Oh, and they'll be made of wrought iron.

"It's fantastic, the best home-grown idea we've had for a long time -- public art that supports our brand as the Forest City, something we've been searching for for a long, long time," said Jeanette MacDonald, manager of Main Street London.

London's downtown will see a splash of colour next spring like never before.

The brainchild of architect/developer Andy Spriet, and funded with $200,000 mostly from the London Downtown Business Association, it's part of the city's effort to promote public art in the core area.

Thirty of the trees will be located on private property downtown, with hopes of adding another 50 sponsored by businesses.

"We're always trying to come up with ways to help the downtown," said Spriet, a member of the LDBA board.

Spriet came up with the idea last summer during a walk through the core in search of unusual ideas to brighten the atmosphere.

"I thought 'trees, the Forest City,' " recalled Spriet, who has his own collection of wrought iron artwork at his York Street office.

"Modern art, like any art, is subject to criticism, but, I thought, 'Who could criticize a tree?' Particularly in winter, the (colourful trees) will give you a real pick-up."

Spriet turned to local artist Bill Hodgson to come up with a prototype. The trees are designed to resist vandalism, Spriet said, being made of iron with the branches more than two metres off the ground.

The concept is not unique.

In April 2000, Toronto put 326 life-sized moose on its streets as part of an outdoor art exhibition and fundraiser. Then, Calgary put out dozens of colourful cows that were auctioned to businesses, with proceeds to charity.

Winnipeg then launched its Bears on Broadway project with 62 brightly-coloured bears adorning area streets and businesses to brighten its downtown and raise money for cancer research.

London's artificial trees will bear the overall shape and leaves of the 22 varieties found in the region's dwindling Carolinian forests.

The LDBA bought into the idea, along with MainStreet and the London 150 committee.

City council approval isn't needed, since the project uses no tax dollars and the trees will be on private property.

"What better to be our first piece of public art in the Forest City?" asked an enthusiastic Coun. Joni Baechler, chair of the London 150 committee that donated about $10,000.

"I think it creates a draw for people, to view public art but it's also symbolic of what London's all about."

Baechler and Coun. Judy Bryant have long pushed the city to have developers include public art in core-area projects.

"It's a great symbol, and a reminder for us all that we need to keep planting trees," said Bryant.

The city has come under fire in recent years over dwindling tree cover and forests, mostly due to development.

Last month, council passed new policies aimed at protecting existing woodlots and to increase tree planting.

As well, city staff are searching for solutions to failed tree plantings in the core, where street trees suffer from vandalism, poor soil and water conditions.

Coun. Cheryl Miller, who has long championed the core's revitalization, said the tree art could even draw more tourists.

"I think this could put London on the map," said Miller.

"It's so creative, so outside the box. It's bright, colourful, fun and it's public art. And I think you'll see a lot of businesses who will want to get involved who believe in our downtown."