While most trees and shrubs in Alberta are well adapted to winter conditions, having a sudden heavy/wet snowfall when trees are just starting their growing season can be devastating. Most spruces, pines, and fir have flexible branches and shed snow relatively easily, but coniferous trees often have their tops broken by heavy snow. Trees with […]
Spring Snow Damages on Trees and Shrubs Read More »
The spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) is a native moth and one of the most serious and damaging spruce and fir trees defoliator in North America. It primarily attacks spruces ( white, black Colorado) and balsam fir trees in Alberta. It is a wasteful feeder on current year needles. White spruce is naturally established on 9
Planting and choosing salt tolerant trees and shrubs species along roads and driveways requires an additional consideration due to potential salt damages and injuries that will occurring during their lifetime. Trees affected by salt will have stunned appearance and reduce growth as well as many will succumb due to higher doze of salt in soil
Salt Tolerant Trees and Shrubs species for Alberta Read More »
Prairie fires play an important role in healthy prairie ecosystems by rejuvenating native vegetation and speeding up plant decomposition. All native plants and shrubs are well-adapted to prairie fires and thrive after the fires. Fires return nutrients to the soil and slow the invasion of trees. But prairie fires are also a destructive force to
Prairie Fires: Windbreak and Shelterbelt Rejuvenation Read More »
Canadians love our outdoor activities – camping, hiking or enjoying nature’s beauty in our beautiful parks. Forests are the main fabric of our natural world and greatly contribute to environmental, social, and economic values to all of us. People love and enjoy being around trees and nature. Trees truly enhance the beauty and enjoyment of
Trees Risk Assessment in Campgrounds and Recreational Parks Read More »
I will start with a simple rule when it comes to pruning trees: “don’t prune it unless you have a good reason for it”. Each tree has its own natural shape, form and growth habit that has been developed through the process of natural selection. Pruning is the process where we can change natural shape,
Reasons to or not to prune trees Read More »
The value of field windbreaks, either planted or natural occurring, has been known for many decades in Canadian Prairie Provinces. Since the 1930s, farmers and ranchers have planted trees to reduce the negative effect of the wind to their homes, soil, crops, livestock, and their water and land infrastructure. Impact and consequences of field windbreak
Impacts and Consequences of Field Windbreak Removal Read More »
Trees are a part of any golf course. These trees perform a variety of environmental functions such as providing wildlife habitat, reducing soil and water erosion, providing wind protection, increasing biodiversity and carbon sequestration, and many more. Many golf courses are lacking tree diversity. This can pose a significant problem to the entire ecological integrity
Golf Course Sustainability: Importance of tree diversity Read More »
Throughout my career, I have been asked this question every time when I talk or perform pruning work for a client. To answers this question, I ask a client following: How much pruning work do you do? Few hours, days, or full-time job? How much money you are willing to spend on pruning tools? What
Which are the best hand pruners? Things to consider when choosing pruners ! Read More »
Black knot (Dibotryon morbosum) is a prevalent disease in the Canadian prairies, naturally occurring and predominantly affecting trees and shrubs within the Cherry (Prunus) genus. Various species, including ornamental and edible cherries (such as Maydays, Schubert chokecherry, chokecherry, Nanking cherry, pin cherry, sand cherry, sour cherry, etc.), Saskatoon’s, and plums are susceptible to this disease.
Black Knot -Avoid Mistakes Read More »
