Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests
LEAF is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the urban forest. We offer programs that will help you plant, care and give.
Plant!
Our Backyard Tree Planting Program offers native trees and shrubs to property owners at a subsidized cost.
Our arborists will help you make an educated decision about the type of tree that best suits your property. Find out which one of our programs is right for you!
Blogs
Trees are valued for the many benefits they provide to our global landscapes. They offer us shade on hot days, provide important habitat and food for our native wildlife, combat climate change by sequestering carbon, increase property value and improve mental health – just to name a few! In honour of Earth Day, I want to share one particular benefit of our trees – their ability to decrease stormwater runoff and filter pollutants!
A hardy, urban shade tree, the hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) can easily withstand strong winds, pollution, heat, salt, and tough soils, while still adding visual interest and beauty to a landscape. This tree often flies under the radar, but its ability to attract a variety of wildlife makes it the perfect tree to help you create a diverse ecosystem in your own backyard.
This spring, we’ve designed three new Shrub Bundles, with each featured in this blog series. Shrub Bundles are groups of four native shrubs, each designed around a specific theme. They include the shrubs, delivery, mulch, a Planting and Care Guide, and a specialized fact sheet for only $100 + HST – that’s four shrubs for the price of three with free delivery!
Events
Inspired by our Adopt-a-Street-Tree project in the Junction neighbourhood of Toronto, The Trees Amongst Us by Nicola Woods is a series of photographs mounted on metal leaf depicting the street trees throughout the seasons. The Trees Amongst Us will be on display at ARTiculations, Earl Selkirk Gallery from May 3 to 27, 2018 during the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival in Toronto.
Join us for a morning of tree planting in Bridgeview Cordone Park and take home a free native shrub to plant in your yard (while supplies last). All ages welcome for this family-friendly event!
Our volunteers play a critical role in helping improve the urban forest. There are various ways in which you can get involved depending on your skills, interests and availability. Please note that volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.
