Last week I had a very interesting meeting with a well known building architect in Toronto.  The meeting consisted of a discussion about garden condominiums.  Specifically about condos with an elaborate landscapes that look like an afterthought as opposed to being pre-designed in the first phase.  Do humans need the companionship of plants and trees 100 feet above the ground or is sitting out on a sterile box porch in the wind and the sun sufficient for that lifestyle.

What if a pre-designed garden, which is a key component, were designed and built into the building?  This would allow the owner to extend his entertaining areas into the outside like a traditional home provides.  This would make condo living one more thumbs up for those that have made nature a component of their life style.

Can we grow trees suitable for this application?  Are there plants that will adapt to these new demands?  The answer is yes.  Places in Europe and elsewhere where real estate is valued and designed for maximum usage are far exceeding our just green roof trends in Toronto today.  Can we provide all these taken for granted amenities at a reasonable price with a high percentage of success?  Will a segment of the public pay and appreciate additional product to their luxury condo complex?

Please let us know your thoughts and ideas on this new and interesting addition to in the sky living.

Forest in the Sky

Tree House

Vertical Tower

We are looking to source 2 large Magnolias to re-plant in Toronto.  If you have a large Magnolia that was planted too close to the house or if it has just gotten to big for the property we will come and rescue it.  As you know we are in the business of re-locating large trees.  We will come to your property and hand dig the root ball and remove the tree.  We will back fill the hole and make sure  the lawn is back to grade.  We will then re-plant the tree  on a property in Toronto.  If you have a such a tree or know of a person who has a large Magnolia that they are willing to part with please contact us.

For forty years PAO Horticultural has been sourcing and shipping a wide variety of mature trees and shrubs for public, corporate and residential clients.  PAO has developed an expertise in digging, handling large specimen trees.  Our methods of transplanting trees allows PAO to move trees that traditional spade trucks are not able to handle.  Issues such as wide and low branching structures, underground utilities or structures, rocky and sandy soil conditions or simply the ability to get the tree spade to the tree are common issues.  At PAO we dig plants with self supporting root balls that provide a variety of options when actually moving the tree.  Root balls can be custom dug to accommodate the most awkward planting areas.  As a result we have a higher survival rate.

Large Magnolia Dig – wrapping root ball

Almost finished…

Finished product ready for moving

People are asking me about  my availability of White Birch Trees.  We do not carry them as they will eventually succumb to the Birch borer which will eventually kill the tree.  We do carry one variety of Birch Tree which is the Multi-stem River Birch.  Although they do not have the white peeling  bark of the the White Birch tree it does have a lovely cinnamon pink bark that does have the same exfoliating bark quality as the White Birch.  This will provide the winter interest and is also a good choice for upright night lighting.  They have a dark green foliage that turns a beautiful golden yellow in the fall.  And yep – they are resistant to the borer.  They are very hardy and great for urban plantings.

Multi-stem River Birch

Multi-stem River Birch

Today we started the first day of the digging season.  A large Magnolia in west Oakville is being moved.  Presently, it is planted in the precise spot the new sitting room of the new house is going to be built.  It will be moved further down in the backyard so that it may be admired from the enlarged home to be.  Trees that flower are without doubt, the major part of our digging along with Japanese Maples and Beech trees that are colourful.

Digging trees that are in excess of a 10″ – 12″ caliper is a three day process. Our success rate is between 90 to 95%.  Unlike machine digging, we can go where equipment is unable to and dig trees well beyond any equipment’s capacity to move.  When a problem is unearthed while digging, we access the situation and decide whether not to abort the dig.  This saves unnecessary  costs or disappointments with the outcome.

Send us a picture of trees that are part of your life and home.  If it is too close to to the house or in the way of expansion, we would be happy to give you a professional opinion on whether or not the tree is worth the investment to move.  Sometimes replacing the tree is cheaper rather than wrestling with digging conditions or damage and disease that makes the decision a bad investment.

The outside surroundings of your home or building are the first impression.  First time impressions are a one time opportunity.

Magnolia before the dig, march 23, 2015

Magnolia during the dig, March 27, 2015

We are getting many inquiries on certain varieties of trees and what are recommendations would be.  If you are looking for a deciduous tree I would recommend an Ornamental Pear.  My husband and I are both in the landscape industry, and believe me , the last thing we want to deal with during the season is maintenance on our own property.  The Ornamental Pear is a tree for all seasons.  In the spring it produces an abundance of showy white flowers.  After it is finished blooming a bright green foliage appears turning to rich dark glossy green over the summer.  In the fall it turns a brilliant red.  They produce a small marble sized fruit that stays on the tree and in December and January birds eat them all so they don’t drop. See – low maintenance!  The have a nice shape as well which makes it a great choice for street or yard planting.  The other plus about this tree is that is disease resistant – how perfect is that!

Here are some pictures so you can see…

White Blooms in Spring

Summer foliage

Fall foliage