In addition to championing the urban forest, as we do every week, we’ve got a number of great events planned. To kick things off, we’re co-hosting a Forest Management Workshop (which will provide landowners with information about both urban and rural subsidized planting programs) as well as the Lake Wilcox Tree Tour.
National Forest Week marks the beginning of our fall Tree Tenders course at the Toronto Botanical Garden. And we’ll finish up the week with two more tree tours, one focused on stewardship in Pomona Mills Park in Markham and one exploring the heritage trees around Queen’s Park in Toronto. Do you have plans yet?
We asked some of LEAF’s friends how they are planning to celebrate #NationalForestWeek. Here is what they said:
"For National Forest Week, I will be having a tree and shrub planted through LEAF’s subsidized Backyard Tree Planting Program. Back in early July, I met with LEAF’s Field Operations Supervisor (and ISA-certified arborist) Andrea Bake for a consultation. She assessed the soil type, sun exposure, and available planting space in my yard.
I love the colour red so she helped me to select a Freeman maple tree (which has a vibrant red fall leaf colour) and a red osier dogwood shrub (which has red branches), both of which are well-suited to the site conditions on my property. I am looking forward to my new tree and shrub, as I am hoping they will provide shade in my yard and help me to de-stress." - David S. Markham resident
“I’ll be attending the Tree Tenders course. Why? I learned a lot this summer as an EAB Ambassador, but I was disappointed that I sometimes couldn’t answer my neighbours’ questions about their (non-ash) trees. The fact is that despite my love of trees, I really know very little about them and the challenges of growing our urban forest.
I felt I needed more knowledge in order to be a more effective tree advocate. I feel the best way I can contribute to the health of our shared urban forest is to help to get the word out to my neighbours about why trees are important and how we can best help them to help us.” - Jane Clark, Toronto resident
“For National Forest Week, I’ll be sharing my tree knowledge and skills with others. I’ll be giving a free presentation in Guelph to teach people about how urban trees age and how they should and can be safely maintained. I’ve also planned to volunteer my staff’s services for tree care work at the Ashbridge Estate in Toronto – there are hundred-year-old trees there that could use our TLC!
And finally, I’ll be preparing to lead the Heritage Tree Tour with LEAF on September 29, where we’ll explore the old and stately trees of Queen’s Park and Philosopher’s Walk. Mature trees in the urban forest can really use our help to keep them alive and healthy!” - Philip van Wassenaer, Urban Forest Innovations Inc.
“I will be part of a team representing LEAF, the City of Markham, and the Pomona Mills Park Conservationists (PMPC), of which I am a member, in conducting a tour on September 28, highlighting the work done in the park by the community led by PMPC. PMPC is dedicated to preserving the urban forest in Pomona Mills Park with annual park cleanups and plantings.
I am also attending the LEAF Tree Tenders Course with the objective of being a better steward for our urban forest. With the improved awareness from the course, I hope to be in a better position to be a resource for the community so we all can help reintroduce and preserve native species of trees and shrubs, and reduce the impact of invasive species.” - Wing Morse, Markham resident
How will you celebrate? Tell us in the comments!