In this blog post, I’ll share my conversation with Lillian.
Lillian's self portrait
Tooba: So I’m curious, what
motivated you to take the Tree Tenders Course?
Lillian: I started hiking and paddling about six years ago – a little late in life – and wanted to learn more about the plant and animal life I was seeing. This led me to Toronto Field Naturalists, which in turn led me to LEAF in May of 2015 and the Tree Tenders course in September 2015. I had two distinct motivations for taking the Tree Tenders course: 1) to improve my tree identification skills, and 2) to choose the best tree –and learn how to care for it to improve its chances of success– to replace the white ash tree in front of our house (which was a traumatic loss last year from EAB).
Tree Tenders gathered around instructor Mike Halferty learning tree identification
Tooba: What were some key messages you took away from the course?
Lillian: The key message that I took away from the course is that even mature trees need to be watered regularly, if not as frequently as new trees. Something I was not very diligent about in the past. Another key message: choosing the right tree and method of planting is more complicated and critical for success than I had realized.
Alex Satel, course instructor, demonstrating proper technique for pruning a damaged tree branch
Tooba: What did you enjoy most about the course?
Lillian: My favourite parts of the course were the hands-on tree identification and tree planting. I wouldn’t have minded if all three sessions had just been these two activities, although we would have lost out on some other great info. The section on tree biology was also particularly enjoyable and a good introduction to the basics of tree life.
Lillian with her fellow Tree Tenders 2015 graduates in Richmond Hill
Tooba: Since taking the course, how have you used any of the knowledge and skills gained from the course?
Lillian: Thus far I have mainly used what I gained from the course to expand my volunteer activities with LEAF, and also with High Park Volunteer Stewards. I would also like to start an Adopt-A-Park Tree group in my neighbourhood (once some professional commitments are completed).
Lillian’s photograph of a carpenter bee
Tooba: What would you want to say to someone who is thinking about taking the Tree Tenders course?
Lillian: I would say that they are guaranteed to learn something new, interesting, and useful about trees. Even the instructors with their experience and expertise were learning new things!
A very special thank you to Lillian for taking the time to share her thoughts with me! Stay tuned next week for a blog on my conversation with another Tree Tenders graduate: Sammy!
You can learn more about the Tree Tenders Volunteer Training Program and check out our blog for stories from past Tree Tenders graduates.
Upcoming Tree Tenders Volunteer Training Sessions:
RICHMOND HILL COURSE (Register here)
Oak Ridges Community
Center
12895 Bayview Ave, Richmond Hill, ON L4E 3G2
Saturday, Sept 10, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept 14, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept 17, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
MISSISSAUGA COURSE (Register here)
Lorne Park Library
1474 Truscott Dr, Mississauga, ON, L5H 2B5
Clarkson Community Centre
2475 Truscott Dr, Mississauga, ON, L5J 2B5
Monday, September 26,
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Lorne Park Library
Thursday, September 29, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Lorne Park Library
Saturday, October 1, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Clarkson Community Centre
Wednesday, October 5, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Lorne Park Library
Tree Tenders Volunteer Training program is supported by Ontario Power Generation, York Region, The Town of Richmond Hill and The City of Mississauga.
Tooba Shakeel is LEAF’s Education and Outreach Coordinator.
Photographs were taken by Lauren Brown, Lillian Natalizio and Tooba Shakeel.