Think about what a properly structured forest is to you. Would you include things like a closed canopy and the need for large groupings of mature trees? Would you stress the need for species diversity and the ability to resist disease? All of these points are very important, but a proper forest structure really includes everything from the massive, mature trees to the smallest fungi hiding under fallen leaves on the forest floor.
As many of you may know, Toronto Hydro is one of LEAF's longest standing sponsors. We have been working together for nearly a decade to protect and improve Toronto's urban forest through our Backyard Tree Planting Program and the annual Leslieville Tree Festival. And every Earth Day we work with Toronto Hydro staff to plant hundreds of trees and shrubs at selected sites across Toronto.
When you think of a huge, majestic, old tree – do you think of an oak tree? Towering over most of its competition (even in the urban forest) their graceful branches provide shade during the summer and a familiar silhouette through winter. The question is… Can you tell the difference between the oak species most commonly found on our landscape?
Fred is a good, reliable tree. As a hackberry, he is hardy, quick-growing and puts out a lot of leaves – which are some of the reasons the Janczur family welcomed Fred in spring 2007. According to Axelle Janczur, “Fred has made our garden more liveable in the summer and he provides nice shade.”
Every year approximately 50 million birds pass through the Greater Toronto Area to get to their breeding grounds further north. This immense population influx starts in early spring with the arrival of the American robin (often despite the snow sitting on the ground).
