June 15, 2022
Sarah Halonen
Tags: Urban Forest Champion
Meet Peter, Certified Arborist, Master Gardener and LEAF volunteer. This Urban Forest Champion is a life-long tree advocate who is committed to sharing his knowledge and experiences and inspiring passion for the urban forest within others
June 14, 2022
Sarah Halonen
Our volunteer Garden Steward Teams recently gathered to celebrate the longer days and warmer weather by waking up our Urban Forest Demonstration Gardens. From planting and dividing perennials to chopping dead plant material to use as cost-effective mulch, our Garden Stewards had fun working together for a successful start to the gardening season!
May 24, 2022
Meandra Provencal
Tags: Urban Forest Champion
Meet Neil, the director of a Toronto townhouse condominium corporation responsible for over 200 trees. Determined to enhance biodiversity in his community and the wider city, this Urban Forest Champion is planting native species and making sure they get the care they need to thrive!
May 24, 2022
Jess Wilkin
Did you know that the more diverse the urban forest is, the healthier it is? A healthy urban forest means more benefits for everyone – from the plants that make it up, to species that call it home! Check out three easy ways you can help boost biodiversity in your own yard.
May 10, 2022
Brian Millward
Tags: Tree Tour
Our goal at LEAF is to teach people about the value of the urban forest. Remember, it’s not just humans who benefit from trees in our cities, but also a wide variety of urban wildlife – including bees! We hosted a virtual event to explore bee-friendly trees in Richmond Hill and steps we can take to support local pollinators. Here are some of the most buzz-worthy takeaways from our event.
April 25, 2022
Jon Curtis
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a LEAF tree planter? My first planting season with LEAF was full of all sorts of lessons, laughs and, of course, lots of native species! Follow along as I take you through a day in the life of a tree planter.
March 28, 2022
Jess Wilkin
Tags: Invasive Species
Spongy moth has become an unwelcome guest throughout southern Ontario. Native to Europe and Asia, this invasive moth may be more recognizable by its former names, the gypsy moth or LDD (short for Lymantria dispar dispar). In 2021, we saw a spike in the spongy moth population and with it, extensive tree defoliation in certain areas. While this non-native pest may be here to stay, here’s how you can do your part to identify it and help reduce its impact.
March 27, 2022
Brenna Anstett
Staking a young tree after planting has been a long-standing practice aimed at providing additional support and protection for the tree while it establishes. Contrary to this popular believe, however, many trees are often staked unnecessarily and incorrectly.
March 26, 2022
Jon Curtis
When looking for a tree to make a statement in your yard, look no further than the mighty tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera). Highly regarded as one of the tallest growing hardwood trees in eastern North America, this tree also displays unique leaves and distinctive tulip-shaped flowers.
March 22, 2022
Meandra Provencal
When planting to support pollinators, we often think of flowering perennials and annuals, but trees and shrubs produce an abundance of flowers which provide a wonderful source of food! Here are four native species that are among the first to bloom in the spring, offering a much-needed early season snack for local birds, bees, butterflies and more.