October 04, 2023
Jon Curtis
A healthy root system is essential for sustaining a healthy tree. Tree roots provide many important life-supporting benefits to trees such as absorbing much-needed water and minerals from the soil for food, storing essential nutrients and anchoring the tree to the ground. But did you know that in some scenarios, tree roots can also be a detriment to tree health? Continue reading to learn about girdling roots and how you can prevent them from harming your favourite tree!
October 04, 2023
Jeremy Lewis
For one Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) tenant, caring for his local trees is a meaningful gift to give his community. Hear more from our friend and Urban Forest Champion, Jason Sinclair, as he discusses the connection of trees to the quality of life within his community.
September 07, 2023
Jess Wilkin
Food insecurity is a growing concern, especially with recent inflation trends and the impacts of adverse weather events on our food supply. The urban forest is home to many diverse edible plant species and can be leveraged to help increase availability and easy access to local food. Check out our top four most nutritious native shrubs that you can plant to grow food and our urban forest.
September 07, 2023
Jon Curtis
Fall is here, and you have left your planting work a bit too late this year. Will you be able to dig into the soil to plant that new tree, and more importantly, will it survive? While colder temperatures may create some hesitation around fall planting, it is actually a great time to add new greenery to your yard. Read on as we tackle the top three myths associated with planting in the fall.
September 05, 2023
Doreen Malapitan
Did you know there are native shrub species in Ontario that offer a variety of delicious and healthy food not only for wildlife but for people too? Read on to find out how you can cook with native species!
August 18, 2023
Bracha S.
As a concerned tree lover, you might be curious about some ways you can assess the health of the trees in your neighbourhood. In this blog, we will be looking at some key indicators of tree health described in the Neighbourwoods Tree Inventory Protocol that we use when we assessed the health of the trees planted through LEAF’s Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) Planting and Stewardship Program. Read along and learn how you can observe the health of the trees in your own neighbourhood.
July 11, 2023
Guest Blogger
Tags: Community Programs
This past spring, I had the opportunity to work as the Naturalization Assistant at LEAF and support their community planting events. At these events, we worked with LEAF volunteers and community participants to plant 1,250 native trees and shrubs in Richmond Hill and King. I’m excited to share my experiences of seeing how different people came together as a community to make a lasting impact on the environment.
July 11, 2023
Jess Wilkin
Large-growing trees are an important part of the urban forest, but small yards can be overwhelmed by their presence. Often overlooked due to their size, small yards are a great opportunity to help grow the urban forest. The trick is knowing which plants to plant. Check out three alternatives to planting large-growing trees for your small yard.
June 28, 2023
Sarah G
Urban trees behave differently than their forested counterparts and need extra help to succeed. As temperatures rise and soils dry out, young urban trees need consistent watering to thrive.
June 28, 2023
Brenna Anstett
Ever wonder what it’s like to be the best at everything? The majestic bur oak can tell you! Not only is it one of Ontario’s largest growing and longest living trees (it can live up to 300 to 400 years!!), it’s also the most common, widespread, cold-tolerant (burrr!) and drought resistant of all native oak species in Canada. As if that wasn’t enough, its acorns (fruit) are among the largest of all native oaks. The bur oak is defi-nut-ly a true masterpiece!