Notebook Help your trees recover from the ice storm


causing damage that many homeown- ers, companies and municipalities are still trying to recover from. While the true extent of the damage


T


may not be seen until spring when the weather warms, homeowners can conduct a visual inspection of their trees for any obvious signs of damage, look- ing for badly sagging or split branches, branches that have not returned to their former position, or a broken or severed branch that remains hung up in the tree. If any of these conditions are pres- ent it is advisable to seek the advice of an arborist to determine the full extent of the damage and also to advise on any safety issues. “More than likely, if the tree was


healthy before the storm, it is still going to be healthy after the storm,” says Rory Quigley, President of the International Society of Arboricul- ture Ontario and an arborist with the Town of Cobourg. “I would definitely encourage homeowners to call a profes- sional arborist to assess the damage. And don’t be afraid to get a few quotes and ask for references.” As with any lawn or landscape ques-


tion, homeowners’ reliable reference resource is www.landscapeontario. com. Visit the site for information and inspiration on plants and landscaping, as well as help finding professionals in the industry’s many specialties. “These seminars are incredibly valu- able for landscaping professionals,” says


Winter frost can be pretty, but freezing rain can be devastating to your trees.


Terry Childs, the chair of Landscape Ontario’s show committee. “While they are educational, they also rein- force that what we are doing is the right thing. It ensures landscape profession- als know how to help trees and plants survive through Canada’s harsh winter months.” Key to a tree’s health after a severe


storm is a healthy trunk. If it has come through the storm relatively unscathed, there is a very good chance the tree can be saved but not without a little work. “If less than half the tree has been


damaged, there is still a good opportu- nity to work with the tree and bring it


he ice storm that swept across Ontario in December left massive devastation in its wake,


back to health,” says Quigley. “Proper pruning will generate new growth.” Homeowners can work to prevent


the damage caused by storms through regular maintenance of their trees. “An assessment of your trees done every three to five years is the best way to protect yourself against costly property or tree damage caused by ice and wind storms,” says Paul Ronan, the executive director of the Ontario Parks Associa- tion. “An arborist can quickly identify structural weaknesses that will not withstand extreme weather conditions, a service that will cost significantly less than the aggravation of insurance claims, structural house, garage or fence damage not to mention the liabil- ity and personal or public safety risks from falling limbs, branches and trees.” In fact, there may be some benefits


to tree damage during an ice storm, as opposed to being damaged in a wind storm in the middle of summer, says Mike Rosen, president of Tree Canada and a veteran of the 1998 ice storm that hit eastern Ontario. “In winter, trees are dormant and


further injury by insects and disease is less likely than if the injury occurs during the growing season,” says Rosen. “Recovery depends on the health of the tree, the amount of main- tenance before the damage, especially preventive pruning, and the extent of the damage; healthy, well-maintained trees with few damaged branches should recover and in time the crown may even appear normal.” – Landscape Ontario


Tree Canada provides funding for planting edible trees Y


our community gardening group, arboretum, school, housing project, or other organization can apply to have a planting project funded! Tree


Canada will consider projects that meet the following criteria: • Increase equitable access to healthy food. • Strengthen communities by empowering neighbors to


share in the harvest and care of city-grown food resources. • Benefit the local community by providing access to


the trees and their fruit by the public (i.e. food banks, volunteers, community kitchens). • Meet the needs of the community and includes


38 • Winter 2014


creative plans for the produce grown. • Take place within a geographic area suitable for grow-


ing fruit and nut trees. • Protect and preserve the Canadian environment. • Assist residents in understanding and participating in


environmental activities in local communities. This initiative is generously sponsored by Loblaws and


Silk. While funding applications must be in this year by February 21, 2014, the program is available for future consideration. For more information, visit Tree Canada at treecanada.ca or call 1-613-567-5545.


www.localgardener.net


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40