I can’t believe the amount of calls and emails we are receiving regarding trees with poor leaf showing.  Even the Ornamental Pear that I have had in the front of my house for 15 years looks sparse.  We here in the GTA region have been lucky for the last 20 years – we have had relatively mild winters in comparison.  The last two winters have been really hard on our trees.  Two years ago our trees suffered from ice damage.  Last year it was cold – particularly for three weeks in February -30 to be exact.  So what does that have to do with leaves?  The trees have set bud in the fall and are ready to pop in spring.  However, with the cold temperatures for so long the roots have frozen.  Thus, when spring comes and the trees begin to leaf out there is not enough nutrients for all the leaves.  This maybe why alot of the tops of trees are sparse.  Another problem with the frigid temperatures has been the freezing of the buds at the union – where the bud meets the branch.  The initial bud is frozen but the tree may generate a secondary bud below the union. My tree which every year since I got it produced a beautiful profusion of flowers – this year it really pooped.  What to do?  You can try adding some bone meal.  Bone meal is a natural root stimulant and will aid in repairing the roots. So don’t give up on your trees yet!

Crimson King Maple

Crimson King Maple

Ornamental pear

With the progress of Emerald Ash Borer, Toronto and most parts of Ontario are going to be faced with replacements of many large trees that are key to real estate evaluations on the selling price.  It is like selling a painting without the proper framing, first impressions can only be captured once.

Over the past 5 years we have been aware of the need for large replacement trees to fill these gaping holes in established landscapes.  We have  planted and root pruned around 10,000 large specimen trees for our new farm at 5592 Trafalgar Road for homeowners, architects and property managers.  This makes for easy choices and flexible times of the year and instant solutions to a depressing loss.  With our multiple root pruning, root feeding and canopy pruning anyone can choose a large beautiful tree to enhance their home or park.

Our location is 30 minutes from the Bloor and Yonge Street area in Toronto to give you an idea of timing.  We would be happy to give you a personal tour of our new 150 acre nursery.  It is a 1/2 mile north of our original farm on Trafalgar Road north Oakville.

Green Beech

Blue Spruce

Boxwood

Linden

Silver Maple

Sunburst Locust

This morning I received a call from a client we have done business with for a number of years.  She has a client that is moving to a condo on the Lake Ontario shoreline who will not go unless his Japanese Maple make the trip with him.  This is becoming a very common request these days.  in the past, we have moved trees of dedication in Cemeteries, Universities and building related to government and public use.  Today it is more common with home owner’s who want to move trees planted by a late family member or friend as a way of maintaining the memory and relationship.

Proximity of the plant is very important if equipment is required in the move.  Is it planted over gas and hydro lines?  How close to the house fence or neighbours is it located?  A picture or rough drawing will give us an excellent start in accessing a potential move.  Costs are also to be deciding factor in the decision.  Some people are surprised at the value of some plants and if the plant has sentimental value it is hard to put a price on that.  So if it is 5′ or 50′ high, call us before you cut the tree or move to new home.

Japanese Maple being moved from a home

When considering trees for the urban landscape – why not consider a Norway Maple?  They are easy to transplant, well adapted to extremes in soils, will withstand sand, clay and acid soils, seems to withstand hot, dry conditions and tolerates a polluted atmosphere.  What more could you want?!  When you consider all the trees that are grown for street plantings you realize that our choices are quite limited.  Years ago our streets were lined gorgeous Elm trees…the Dutch Elm disease came about.  Then there is those drought resistant Ash trees that are now succumbing to the Emerald Ash Borer..  Years ago Norway Maples fell out of favour with architects and municipalities, but if you look back over the years these trees survived and are thriving.  And guess who is asking for them back – homeowners.  With all the small new properties cropping up  in the GTA with poor soil conditions this is the perfect solution.  There are many cultivars to choose from – like Emerald Queen or the ever popular Crimson King.  Just something to consider – it is like they say – life is like a pendulum – they will start to become in favour again!

Emerald Queen Maple

Crimson King Maple