Martin Ford
Smoothing Out The Hard Edges
Last month we introduced a list of 20 features that trees add to the health and function of a city and that enable people to benefit both...
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Martin Ford
Feb 15, 20192 min read
How Trees Make The Top 20 List!
Yet another cold winter’s day and for many, nature’s monochromatic grey-white scheme barely elicits another glance. The drab trees melt...
Martin Ford
Jan 18, 20193 min read
Accidental Strangulation!
It seemed innocent enough when this tree was used as a post for a washing line; several years later this picture shows the result. All...
Martin Ford
Dec 13, 20181 min read
Each Tree Is Its Own Story
So how do we read that unique tale? When a plant is single-stemmed and approximately double our height (10-15’) we give it the status of...
Martin Ford
Nov 15, 20182 min read
Pruning and Math!
Much of our horticultural literature in Canada is based on European knowledge and in the case of pruning, Europeans do not remove more...
Martin Ford
Nov 12, 20181 min read
Remedial What?
Remedial pruning is practiced when a plant has become too large for its site. This can happen because the garden design has changed but...
Martin Ford
Nov 1, 20181 min read
Pruning - Its Mysteries and Pleasures
Pruning is the essential art of living with plants in and around our homes. We share the same space, and for fruiting trees and shrubs,...
Martin Ford
Sep 17, 20182 min read
If Trees Could Talk Along the Walk
It’s a good time of year to see tree health because the trees which are struggling will already have started to change colour and...
Martin Ford
Jul 15, 20181 min read
The Air-Conditioning Factor
An established tree draws over 100 litres of water each day from deep in the soil to cool its leaves. However, as this water emerges from...
Martin Ford
Jul 2, 20181 min read
How Much Water is Enough?
A follow-on thought from a previous Blog about how to ensure our plants’ roots are getting enough water, is to place a jar in the garden...
Martin Ford
Jun 10, 20183 min read
Thrive not Survive in the City
How do trees manage to live in City conditions? Trees in this climate (particularly native trees) grow by extending their root systems...
Martin Ford
May 27, 20181 min read
Water, Water Everywhere, But Ne'er a Drop to Drink!
Water that roots can access is of paramount importance to the health of a tree. The most effective application of water for city trees is...
Martin Ford
May 19, 20182 min read
More Ways To Understand The Health Of A Tree
Previously we looked at three key ways to 'read' the health of a mature tree: last year’s new growth, basal root flare, and evenness of...
Martin Ford
Apr 9, 20182 min read
Three Important Ways To Understand a Large Tree's Health
When stepping back and surveying a tree, we often feel it is too large and so don’t feel able to ‘read’ or understand its health. Here...
Martin Ford
Mar 6, 20181 min read
Welcoming Trees into our Gardens and Neighborhood
Pocket Woodlands™ Workshop - Arboretum University of Guelph - April 28, 2018 Trees seem to be mysterious and often leave us with more...
Martin Ford
May 23, 20171 min read
Welcome the Wisteria
Guelph's Largest Wisteria Vine is Coming into Bloom Sunday June 4, 2017 12pm - 3pm 39 Emslie St - 4 Blocks S of downtown Guelph 450+ Foot...
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