I finally am able to start finding plants that are beginning to show signs of spring.  Today has been the first time this year that I have been able to walk the nursery without being cold.  My dog Monty joined me and was as happy as could be, his nose was going a mile a minute!  He is an old guy and it is just nice to see him with spring fever. The fields are still mucky and I did get my buggy stuck once but managed to get out without being pushed.  I was trying to get some pictures of the yellow Magnolias for a customer (they are not in bloom yet).  But some of the Saucer magnolias are opening.  Today was just taking pictures of everything that is trying to bloom.  As the weeks progress there will be too much to take pictures of!  We are very busy still digging and I think all of my blogs will have something about the move in it.  It is just such a huge undertaking to move all these trees within a 2 month window and it is exciting and scary at the same time.  It is exciting to draw the site plan of our new location and envision what it will be like – after 30 years at this location it will be very different.

So – below are some pictures of the spring trying to happen.  Tomorrow is supposed to be nice as well and perhaps  I will see some more plant action in some different parts of the yard!

Japanese Maple coming into leaf.

Espalier Apple pushing bloom!

Middle field is dug and Monty sniffing!

Front field of Gingkos are dug

Middle field of large Crabapples are dug

Lilac buds beginning to open.

The emergence of Japanese Maple leaves.

Yes – we  are at the final stages of moving.  So I will be documenting the sequence of the event in many parts.  Our large coverall has come down which we really miss, the place looks a little weird without it.  But the important part – is digging the trees.  The weather hasn’t been on our side either – wet – which makes muck.  On the good side of things, it has been cool so we able to dig many trees while they are still dormant which is very important.  We are in the fields digging rows upon rows of trees, section by section.  The Cedars are dug in the front field as well as the Gingkos.   We have dug Beech trees, Hydrangea Stds, Crabapples and Crimson King Maples – all in all over 1000 trees.  Below are a few pictures of the what we are digging.  it is hard to get around because of the mud – we got stuck a few times, and it was a gray day.  But hey, I have got to start documenting this huge undertaking sometime.

I am getting lots of calls from people who have lost their trees.  It is amazing to find out how many people are so attached to their trees.  As a person in the industry, who loves trees, I find it heartwarming to hear this.  Trees are important to us – not only environmentally but emotionally as well.  Not to mention they add value to many properties, which is why people are looking for large trees on the property when purchasing new homes.

The beginning – digging trees

Digging trees at the front

Digging trees in the mud

Rows upon rowsof trees

Ready to be moved

More trees…

Mature Tree Loss? Did your large tree specimens suffer damage from the Ice storm? Are your large Ash trees dying due to Emerald Ash Borer? We have the large replacement trees you are looking for. For forty years PAO Horticultural has been sourcing and shipping a wide variety of mature trees and shrubs for public, corporate and residential clients. As the years have progressed PAO has developed an expertise in digging, handling large specimen trees. Our methods of transplanting trees allow PAO to move trees the traditional tree spade trucks are not able to handle. Sometimes a tree spade isn’t an option. Issues such as such as wide and low branching structures, underground utilities or structures, rocky and sandy soil conditions or simply the ability to get the trees spade to the tree are common issues when attempting to use a traditional tree spade. At PAO we dig plants with self-supporting root balls that provide is a variety of options when actually moving the tree. Root balls can be custom dug to accommodate the most awkward planting areas. PAO can source and transplant suitable replacement trees into your existing landscape to create a new mature canopy without waiting years for trees to grow.

Large Dawn Redwood to be shipped to Goderich

Hand dug root ball of a Pin Oak

Picture of the size of the Pin Oak

Moving Maples at Cathedral Town in Toronto

Craning Trees into residential backyard

Trees for around the pool

I am not going to talk about the winter, about the snow, the ice, the cold and how long it was.  It is done so now we can do what we do best – digging and planting trees.  We have been getting lots of inquiries regarding large trees that were lost due to ice storm damage or have succumbed to the Emerald Ash Borer.  One of the calls was from the lovely Casa Loma in Toronto.  They are changing the gardens and would like to preserve two of there specimen trees rather than cutting them down.  They had a beautiful Paperbark Maple and a lovely Flowering dogwood that they wanted to see if we were interested in.  Of course we were – and it was PAO off to the rescue.  These lovely trees are now at our yard and we look forward to them blooming and coming into leaf.  Who knows where they will end up!

The weather is to cooling down and the days are shorter. Snow has been in the forecast and on the ground but we are still planting. The later months of the year are  fantastic time to plant trees of any size. If you noticed your property was lacking some fall color the past few weeks then now is the time to come pick a tree that will do just that. Plant now so you can enjoy some fall colors in your own yard next year.