Without experiencing it, it’s hard to believe the amount of tree-related content that is covered during the 15 hour course. Topics include tree biology, tree identification, soil, tree stresses, management, selection, planting and care, and last (but certainly not least), tree-related by-laws and policies in the City of Toronto.
Here (on our ID tour) we are learning how to differentiate between a Red Pine and Austrian Pine. Since they both have 2 needles in each bundle, instructor Mark showed us that a Red Pine needle breaks when wrapped around your finder, whereas an Austrian Pine needle doesn’t break as easily.
Instinctively, one would think that with fifteen hours of class time available you would only be able to scratch the surface of such a large number of topics. Not quite the case with Tree Tenders. Did you know that you can identify a tree using its leaf scar? On a black walnut tree, the leaf scar looks like a monkey face! Or how about the fact that a tree’s phloem tissue gets crushed as the meristematic region grows outward to increase the tree’s DBH (diameter at breast height)?
Scratch the surface? I think not!
Instructor Jackie taught us about the wide variety of stressors that urban trees are exposed to. In this photo, we can see that the tree is planted in a way that allows for very little water infiltration, and the bark has been severely damaged. Trees have important tissue just below the bark, so girdling a tree like this can easily lead to death.
Beyond being highly informative, Tree Tenders Training offers an amazing opportunity to meet likeminded people who care about preserving and enhancing Toronto’s urban forest. It attracts all kinds of different people, whether it be an arborist looking to gain continuing education credits for their certification, a participant in LEAF’s Young Urban Forest Leader Program, or a Torontonian who’s interested to learn a little more about why the Norway Maple on their front lawn is considered to be invasive. Regardless of why participants have chosen to enroll, the meaningful subject matter cultivates a classroom bursting with thoughtful and inspiring discussion.
Tree Tenders introduces you to the fascinating way in which trees interact with the urban environment. Better yet, all of the information pertains to our local urban forest right here in Toronto, which means that upon graduating you’ll be all set to jump into your role as an urban forest champion!
On each day, you get to learn from a new instructor, and each one adds a unique and exciting dimension to the course. Some have even worked for LEAF in the past!
So if you are on the fence about registering for Tree Tenders, I encourage you to go for it. You will learn a lot, meet great people, and maybe even be introduced to a lifelong passion! The number of Tree Tenders graduates just keeps growing, and it really is an amazing community to be part of. LEAF will be offering another Toronto Tree Tenders course in the fall, so stay tuned for details! Signing up for our newsletter is the best way to stay in the loop!
Natalie Secen is LEAF’s Volunteer & Stewardship Coordinator.
The Tree Tenders Training program is supported by Ontario Power Generation.
Photos by David Shilman and Judy Zhong.