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May 12, 2012

Another Reason To Protect Large Mature Trees

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Check out this photo from Simon Bell.

“I would never have noticed them myself, but Martin Bosch was staring intently up into a maple tree in St. Georges Park in Guelph yesterday. What was he looking at? A mother Eastern screech owl and five babies! Quite amazing.”

To enjoy some more os Simon’s great photography, visit http://thirdspacephotography.blogspot.ca/

Photo: Simon Bell

 

April 5, 2012

Urban Forest Management Plan Presentation and Workshop

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Urban Forest Management Plan Presentation and Workshop

Using input from the community, several environmental groups and developers, the City has drafted an Urban Forest Management Plan that includes 21 recommendations to protect and promote a diverse and sustainable urban forest over the next 20 years.

Community members are invited to review, discuss and provide feedback about Guelph’s draft Urban Forest Management Plan before finalizing the plan and presenting it to the City’s Planning, Building, Engineering and Environment Committee later this year.

Tuesday, April 17
6 – 8.30 p.m.
Meeting Room C, City Hall, 1 Carden St.

Please RSVP with the City to Michelle Mercier (Clerical Assistant) at michelle.mercier@guelph.ca.

If you can not attend, please feel free to send comments to rory.templeton@guelph.ca. We look forward to your participation.

For more information check out the City of Guelph website HERE.

 

March 18, 2012

Growing Nut Trees and Dirt the Movie

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Doug Eiche is back, by popular demand, to discuss Growing Nut Trees 10 Carden St. on March 27.

Doug is a well known beekeeper in our area who has grown hundreds of various types of nuts around here. His experience will help you choose best types,location and maintenance practices to support good production. The Treemobile and Permablitz ( initiatives of Transition Guelph) will offer more edible tree options.

This is a free event starting at 7 p.m.

Following Doug, stay and watch  Dirt! The Movie. If you have not yet seen this fascinating movie about the source of all growth, you are in for a treat. Whether you call it soil, earth or dirt, the top few centimetres of ground are vital to our resilience and sustainability. This living, breathing base may be more alive than we are.

 

December 18, 2011

Unveiling of the winners of the GUFF Photo Contest

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An enthusiastic and excited crowd gathered at 10 Carden St on Saturday November 26th to view the winning photos. The photographers, their families and friends had their first opportunity to see the “photo forest” selected by the contest judges. Thanks to the financial sponsors (the Stone Store and Meridian Credit Union) the photos were printed by Ponds Foto Source and beautifully framed by Wyndham Art Supplies Kloepfer Custom Framing.

Judge Tom Dietrich gave an inspiring summary of the photos and some of the interesting artistic interpretations of the themes. It was challenging for the judges to select the winners from such an excellent collection of photo submissions. By the time we were ready for the drinks and treats there was lots of conversation about photography, the winners and the beauty of both the photos and our wonderful Guelph trees.

A big thank you is extended to all the contestants who participated and made it such a terrific event and to our judges, Tom Dietrich, Oxanna Adams and Doug Steel who did an excellent job.

The Photos remained at 10 Carden St until December 2nd. Photographer, Nick Mares who is one of the winners, has donated a beautiful photo of a tree backlit in the morning sunshine to be used as a fundraiser for GUFF.  Details on that will be provided at a later date. You can check out his photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/33385365@N08/

Event Photo Images:

Frank Valeriote and daughter Olivia

Tyler Kasza (left) with his family Fan Club

Sue Rietschin (left) and Michelle Brock (right)

 

November 24, 2011

Brant Avenue School Gets Their New Tree.

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After winning the GUFF 2011 ‘Guelph Loves Trees’ contest, Brant Avenue Public School took receipt of their prize, as promised, a new tree for their schoolyard, this fall.

Ali Morrison, arborist and Leonard Chapinsky from Chapinsky Nursery delivered the 11 year old tree. They also brought eight shovels for these enthusiastic grade 5 students to do the planting.

First, they all took turns to dig the hole. After the big dig, they straightened the tree and filled in the soil. They then mulched the base of the tree in the required donut shape. This keeps the trunk dry at the soil level but still captures water for the roots to take up.

And this is what 11 year-olds look like. The red maple tree is also 11 years old.

The students will water the tree regularly until ‘freeze-up’ and again in the spring to  help it settle in.

Congratulations Brant Avenue Public School!

 

June 9, 2011

Mycorrhizae – Sometimes The Things You Don’t See Are The Most Important

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Mycorrhizal partnerships are symbiotic, or, mutually beneficial, relationships between plants and fungi, that take place around plant roots.

Mycorrhrizae  in the soil have been shown to be essential to plant growth by facilitating the uptake of minerals and nutrients by breaking them down into available forms for the trees to use  as well as stimulating fine root development that lengthen the life of the roots.

They can also protect plants from drought, predators (such as nematode worms), and pathogens (micro-organisms that cause disease). Furthermore, in areas polluted by toxic heavy metals, fungi can buffer their plant partners against harm.

A diversity of fungi is desirable, as different fungi specialize in different functions, as mentioned above. One fungal species may be good at taking up particular nutrients, while another will be better at producing enzymes.

Threats to Mycorrhizae
Mycorrhizae can be damaged by soil compaction and disturbance, as well as by the use of certain chemicals, all of which occur in intensive agriculture and landscape maintenance.

Applying large amounts of inorganic fertilizers to young trees, can suppress the development of mycorrhizae. Excess nitrogen, whether from fertilizer use or atmospheric pollution, affects the reproductive parts of the fungus, and so could have long term effects on fungal populations.

Development practices have greatly affected the life in the soil.  Adding a handful of decaying leaves into a hole that a new tree is planted in can inoculate the soil and help bring back the organisms that the trees need so much!

 

May 5, 2011

The Trees In Our Life Series “Heritage Trees”- May 11

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March 26, 2011

Guelph Loves Trees 2011 School Challenge

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Guelph Loves Trees 2007

GUFF announces the Guelph Loves Trees 2011 school challenge.

GUFF has issued a challenge to the public elementary schools in Guelph – take part in the Guelph Loves Trees 2011 competition for a chance to win a $500 award to your school’s library.

Using an entry form provided by GUFF, and distributed to teachers by the school librarian, students are invited to use words and images to convey the importance of protecting and planting trees in Guelph.

The $500 award will go to the school with the highest number of entries per student population and will be presented at a celebratory event to be held at 11a.m. at 10 Carden St. on Saturday April 23 to mark Earth Day.

Samples of the entries from each school will be on display at 10 Carden and students and their families, their teachers and the general public will be invited to enjoy the show.  GUFF will also showcase the best entries at its public events in the coming year.

Guelph Loves Trees is an opportunity for students to be creative while learning more about trees and their value to the environment. Students are encouraged to draw and write about their favourite trees and parks and the benefits that these trees bring in terms of shade, shelter, clean air, water retention, and food for people and animals.

Guelph Loves Trees is one of several projects planned for 2011 by GUFF in recognition of the International Year of the Forest.

 

March 21, 2011

New Info On Old Trees

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Research into the interactions between old trees and their moss that harbours cyanobacteria, produces a combination that contributes to the long-term health of surrounding trees. They are somehow fertilizing the ecosystems around them.

Without the presence of these old trees, the health of the surrounding younger trees is degraded.

Read more about this  interesting research HERE.

 

 

February 14, 2011

Tree Workshops At The Arboretum – Spring 2011

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The Arboretum at the University of Guelph offers many inspiring workshops and courses. Of particular interest to GUFF are the two below. A full list can be found at www.uoguelph/arboretum.

  • The Art & Practice of Pruning: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 or Wednesday, March 23, 2011 – 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm – This half-day indoor/outdoor practical workshop will teach you the principles of easy and correct pruning in the home garden.  This is a very popular course, so register early!  Arboretum Horticulturist: Sean Fox.  Fee: $55.00.  Registration deadline: Tuesday, March 15.  *Maximum 16 adults/session.
  • About Trees: Tuesday, June 7, 2011  – 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Do you want to learn more about trees, including the ones in your own backyard?  Join Horticulturist Sean Fox on a walk through the World of Trees collection as he discusses pollination, fall colour, aging, and disease resistance, as well as some interesting facts about some very unique trees and shrubs!  Take home an informative booklet on how to care for trees.  Arboretum Horticulturist: Sean Fox.  Fee:  $35.00.  Registration deadline: Tuesday, May 31.  Maximum 20 adults.
 

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