G U F F

Henry Kock Award for Tree Stewardship

Presented at the Arb Expo September 14 at the Guelph Arboretum by Sean Fox. This year, the Guelph Urban Forest Friends are introducing the inaugural Henry Kock Award for Tree Stewardship. Many knew Henry very well, and for those that never had the chance to meet him before his passing in 2005, you will no…

The Bur Oaks of Guelph

Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) is the only native oak species that is indigenous to the Guelph area. It is identified by the “bur” like protrusions on the edge of the acorn cap. Its leaf shape is variable but noted for the way the leaf ends with a large, rounded “lobe”. Look in a tree identification…

Photo Contest 2013

Theme of the photo contest: The Tree Timeline Categories: Past-The Storyteller Present-Here and Now Future- The Oracle

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

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…

New Info On Old Trees

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…

Trees Are Good For The Environment And The Bank Book Too!

Investing in Trees – Trees are good for the environment and the bank book, too By Virginia Gauley GRCA Forester Imagine your neighbourhood without any trees. It would look pretty dismal, more like an industrial area than a residential neighbourhood. Trees are an important part of our lives, offering us a sense of place within…

A Timely Reminder About Why We Must Protect Our Mature Urban Trees

Benefits of Urban Trees Trees are a very important part of our urban environment. Urban trees filter air, water and sunlight and reduce air pollution. They moderate local climate, slow wind and storm water run-off, and shade our buildings to conserve energy. Trees protect us from UV radiation that causes many cancers. Trees are also critical…

Trees And Pollinators

Trees are critically important in the food cycles of many insects, birds and mammals, including humans. The majority of our food crops depend on pollinators for fertilization. And the numbers of pollinators are in serious decline. Pollinators include Butterflies and Moths (lepidoptera family) as well as Bees, Wasps,Beetles and Flies. Please remember that dead wood…

The Value Of Urban Trees

The Value of Urban Trees Over a 50-year lifespan, the average tree will provide: $31,250 worth of oxygen $62,000 worth of air-pollution control $37,500 worth of water recycling and humidity control $31,250 worth of soil-erosion control $31,250 habitat and pollinator support $2500 worth of protein This works out to almost $200,000, equivalent to $4000 per…

Your Black Walnut Is A Very Special Tree

Your Black Walnut tree is a very special tree! Air quality, food and health; all are affected by this wonderful tree. Black walnut trees are very important to our food security. They provide edible nuts and support the life cycle of 130 different species of Lepidoptera (butterflies, moths), bees and beetles. According to Douglas W. Tallamy…