The lone, majestic Comfort Maple Tree stands tall at almost 25 metres, with an astounding six-metre girth and 40-metre crown width beside a field in Pelham, Ontario.
The tree is widely believed to be the oldest and finest sugar maple tree in Canada and was given the title of a heritage tree in June 2000 under the Ontario Heritage Act.
The story of the Comfort Maple Tree is one of storm, stress and resilience: The Comfort Maple Tree was originally in an area of hardwood forest, which was likely cleared when the tree was still young for agricultural purposes. This act and many other instances of unnatural clearing of the forest led to the water table and streams lowering which devastated the nearby town. But despite this, when the Comfort family first settled the land in 1816, the Maple Tree stood tall.
Presumably amazed by the tree’s seeming perseverance, Earl Hampton set aside a piece of land for the sole purpose of protecting the tree. In 1961, his sister Edna donated the tree and 4 hectares of land to the Niagara Region Conservation Authority.
The Comfort Maple Conservation Area resulted from Edna Hampton’s donation. The area still has around half an acre of land, a parking lot and a few benches. The tree has now been outfitted with guy wires to support some of its branches.
In 1975, the Ontario Forestry Association estimated the tree to be 400-500 years old. Despite its age, the Comfort Maple stands tall as a beacon of Canada’s strength and tradition.
What to Do Near the Comfort Maple
The Comfort Maple is a relatively short stop, but its location in rural Pelham makes it easy to combine with maple experiences, hiking, waterfalls and Niagara wine country. Here are some nearby places to visit, arranged as a possible route from the Comfort Maple.
Continue the Maple Theme at White Meadows Farms
Distance: About 5 km from the Comfort Maple
Continue the maple theme at White Meadows Farms, home to a working sugar bush and Maple Sweet Shop. The farm is at 2519 Effingham Street and offers maple syrup, maple treats and seasonal experiences.
From May through October, visitors can also book the seasonal Discover Maple Tour, which includes the sugar shack, a wagon ride into the forest, walking trails, maple taffy and syrup tasting.
Hike at Short Hills Provincial Park
Distance: About 5 to 7 km from the Comfort Maple | Less than 1 km from White Meadows Farms, depending on the trailhead
Short Hills Provincial Park is one of the easiest additions to a Comfort Maple trip. White Meadows Farms actually borders the park, with one of the Short Hills parking areas near Roland Road.
The 660-hectare natural environment park protects a hilly landscape of forests, valleys, streams and waterfalls. Its trails are particularly attractive during fall-colour season.
Visit Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery
Distance: About 7 km from the Comfort Maple | About 2 km from the Short Hills area
After hiking, stop at Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery at 1469 Pelham Road. The family-owned estate sits in the Short Hills Bench wine-growing area and offers wine tastings, tours and a working underground barrel cellar.
The winery is particularly convenient for this itinerary because it sits right beside Short Hills Provincial Park. One Short Hills parking area is less than a kilometre from the winery property.
See Rockway Falls
Distance: About 9 to 10 km from the Comfort Maple | About 3 km from Henry of Pelham
Continue west along Pelham Road to Rockway Conservation Area.
The conservation area lies along the Niagara Escarpment and features trails into the Fifteen Mile Creek valley. Two waterfalls plunge approximately 19.5 metres and 12.2 metres, and the surrounding forest contains sugar maple, basswood, black walnut and sycamore trees.
Continue Into Twenty Valley and Jordan
Distance: About 15 km from the Comfort Maple | About 6 to 8 km from Rockway Conservation Area
If you still have time, continue west toward Jordan and Niagara’s Twenty Valley wine country. The area offers numerous wineries, restaurants and scenic countryside drives.
Calamus Estate Winery, at 3100 Glen Road, is one option and can also be combined with a visit to nearby Ball’s Falls Conservation Area.
How long should you allow? For most visitors, around 15 to 30 minutes is enough to see the tree, take photographs and read about its history. Stay longer if you want to sit quietly and enjoy the rural setting.
A Fall Day Trip Around the Comfort Maple
Fall is arguably one of the most rewarding times to visit the Comfort Maple. The old sugar maple changes colour while the forests and hills surrounding Pelham and the Niagara Escarpment take on their autumn shades.
- Morning: Visit the Comfort Maple before the day gets busy and spend some time photographing the enormous tree.
- Late morning: Head to Short Hills Provincial Park for a fall-colour hike through the Niagara Escarpment.
- Lunch or early afternoon: Stop in Fonthill or Pelham for lunch.
- Afternoon: Visit White Meadows Farms for maple products or continue to a nearby Niagara winery.
- Late afternoon: Walk the trails at Rockway Conservation Area or Lathrop Nature Preserve for another dose of autumn scenery.
This combination turns what might otherwise be a short roadside stop into a relaxed half-day or full-day exploration of rural Niagara.
What Do Visitors Say?
Visitors often say photos don’t quite convey the size of the Comfort Maple. Seeing its immense trunk, broad canopy and centuries-old branches in person is what makes the stop memorable. Many reviewers describe the tree as majestic, impressive and a piece of living Canadian history.
The Comfort Maple Conservation Area currently has a 4.6 out of 5 rating from more than 140 Google reviews. On Tripadvisor, visitors give it 4.3 out of 5.
One theme comes up repeatedly in reviews: this is a small and simple attraction. You are coming primarily to see one extraordinary tree rather than a large conservation area with extensive trails or recreational facilities. For many travellers, that is part of its charm.
Visitors mention sitting on the benches, taking photographs and simply spending a few quiet minutes beneath the sprawling canopy. Others recommend stopping here while exploring Pelham or travelling between other Niagara attractions rather than planning an entire day around the site.
The cables and supports holding some of the massive branches together are also noticeable. Rather than hiding the tree’s age, they remind visitors of the conservation work required to keep such an old living landmark standing.
Trip Planning – Comfort Maple Conservation Area
Credit: Niagara Parks Conservation Authority
Why visit: Visit Canada’s oldest sugar maple tree. See renewal in spring, ever-changing hues of autumn colours, and fabulous greenery in summer supported on the six-metre trunk and 40-metre crown width.
When to go: Open year-round, 30 minutes before dawn to30 minutes after dusk
Where to go: 640 Metler Rd, Fenwick
There is no visitor centre, and this is not a conventionally developed park. The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority describes the property as a tiny 0.2-hectare conservation area created specifically to protect the historic maple.
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Ph: 905-788-3135
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View Comments (1)
We have one that is larger. 20.5' in circumference located in Leeds County