Healthy roots mean healthy trees

Erin Silverstein — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:24:15 +0000

Nina Bassuk describes the way she'll start off with a new group of students: asking them to draw a simple picture of a tree. In this anecdote all of the usual suspects show up - trunks, branches, leaves and even a bird or two to represent wildlife. “But,” she says, “what is glaringly absent from almost all of these tree portraits are the life-supporting root systems.” Bassuk, Professor and Program Leader of the Urban Horticulture Institute at Cornell University, goes on to explain what is wrong with these pictures - and what an eye-opening experience it is.

Read more from the Spreading Roots conference

Seeing Markham for the trees

Erin Silverstein — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:22:06 +0000

Last week I led our first tree tour in York Region as we explored naturalized areas and parkland in beautiful and historic Unionville. The day began with a downpour of icy cold rain but we managed to stay dry, albeit very chilled, during the afternoon tour. I am thankful for those who came out to learn about trees and the very important role our urban forest plays in our everyday lives.

Erin Silverstein's blog

Healthy roots mean healthy trees

Seeing Markham for the trees