August 13, 2013
Matthew Higginson
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One of the best vacations I took this summer was going up along the Bruce Trail with my fiancé. The Bruce Peninsula was something we had talked about visiting for ages, so we finally packed up the car and got on the road. Here’s why you should pack up your bags and visit too!
August 12, 2013
Robyn Stewart
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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.
August 09, 2013
Matthew Higginson
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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.
August 02, 2013
Matthew Higginson
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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.
August 01, 2013
Matthew Higginson
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The photo was taken in one of my favourite parks in Toronto, Trinity Bellwoods. I came across it through our flickr page. Even with the low resolution of Instagram, the framing shows the towering trees of the historic park, picnics, cyclists, and pedestrians. I tend to spend time here in the evenings after work or on weekends, so it is nice to see it for the trees - when it isn’t so completely packed.
July 30, 2013
Brenna Anstett
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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?
July 30, 2013
Andrea Bake
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If I were to come out and inspect your tree today, what would I find? Are you keeping up the mulch around your tree's base? Do you water during the heat waves? Is the excess amount of rain falling from the sky affecting the growth of your trees (either bending the branches due to extra weight or causing the tips of the tree to grow too fast)? Are you unsure of any of the answers to these questions?
July 29, 2013
Matthew Higginson
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Have you seen these videos yet? LEAF produced three informative videos on the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and its devastating effect on our urban forest. I helped put these together with Volunteer & Stewardship Coordinator Victoria and our Marketing Intern Sam. It was a cold Friday in spring, and we ventured throughout the city to get the shots that would help viewers identify ash trees, and see examples of how EAB is affecting these trees.
July 29, 2013
Brenna Anstett
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A couple of weeks ago, a large group gathered to join Andrea Bake (LEAF) and Greg Johnston (TRCA) for a tour of Morningside Park and the Highland Creek watershed. With all of the extreme weather that had been hanging over the city, we were all happy to beat the heat with a nice walk along the cool river and shaded ravine. After a warm welcome, the two discussed the rarity and ecological significance of the grassland areas near the beginning of the tour.
July 29, 2013
Andrea Bake
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One of the wonders of a “smaller world” is that we get to share ideas and goods, including foods, spices and plants. During the 18th century, tradesmen decided they liked the look of one certain tree species in Asia and brought it back to Europe. Because of its popularity as a garden specimen, the use of this tree species expanded across to North America and the larger islands of the Oceania region. And so the story began of one of our most aggressive invasive species...