Blogs

In an ideal world, we’d keep every tree in the city alive and healthy. But realistically, some trees must come down. When this happens, the trunk and branches are often chipped for mulch or composted, but wouldn’t it be great if we could give the tree a second life? On Wednesday, July 3, LEAF hosted the Salvaging Urban Wood Tree Tour and we took a closer look at what goes into transforming urban trees into beautiful furniture, utensils, and art.

At a regular checkup a couple of weeks ago, my doctor asked how my allergies were doing. “August 15,” he said, “mark it off in your calendar – you’re going to have a bad day.” It’s only recently I’ve started to experience the symptoms of my allergies – puffy eyes, itchy skin and uncooperative sinuses. Maybe you stepped outside last April to breathe in the fresh, blossom-scented air only to be instantly itchy in the eyes and a stuffed up beyond belief? Or was a camping trip in June slightly annoying because your tent was pitched next to a birch tree? Each spring brings signs both good and bad, and the summer months don’t get much better. But at least there’s comfort in knowing that we’re not alone.

The first Edible Tree Tour began outside the Spadina Museum on a sunny September day in 2008. Participants shared freshly picked apples and discovered a new way to look at urban fruit trees with Laura Rainsborough, who had just founded Not Far From The Tree. A year later, the tour moved to Ben Nobleman Park and Cedarvale Ravine, and Susan Poizner, Director of Orchard People shared information on the first community orchard, and how to care for existing fruit trees. Now five years later, the Edible Tree Tour at its heart still carries the same message: the urban forest provides.

Many of us know the basic importance of planting trees and shrubs in our yards: they improve air quality, help to reduce air temperature, intercept and store rainwater, provide privacy, are aesthetically pleasing and can even increase property values! But did you know planting shrubs in your backyard can actually help to conserve energy and save you money?