European Elm Scale (Eriococcus spurius, also known as Gossyparia spuria) Elm trees contribute significant aesthetic and ecological value to cities, towns, and farms. These majestic trees are easily recognized by their umbrella-shaped crowns, thick, furrowed bark, and distinctive leaves with uneven bases at the leaf stalk—an identifying characteristic of all elm species. The European elm […]
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Wildlife is an essential and vital part of the natural ecosystem, contributing to biodiversity, maintaining ecological balances through pest control and pollination. However, some wildlife animals can cause significant damage to trees and shrubs, particularly in urban, suburban, and agricultural settings. Whether through browsing, bark stripping, digging, or gnawing, wildlife can compromise tree health and
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The principle of “right tree, right place” has been known modern forestry, agroforestry, urban greening, and ecological restoration. At its core, it means selecting tree and shrub species whose biological traits, environmental tolerances, and growth habits match the ecological and environmental conditions of a specific site. There are several decades of research as well as
“ Right Tree, Right Place”– Key to success in tree survival, growth and thriving Read More »
Wildfires pose a growing risk to farms, acreages, communities, and infrastructure in agricultural landscapes across Alberta. The 2025 Canadian wildfire season—one of the worst on record—resulted in an estimated $6 billion in economic losses, with wildfire-related insurance claims rising sharply and contributing to higher premiums and reduced insurability in high-risk areas. As climate change intensifies
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Tree topping, sometimes referred to as “heading,” “dehorning,” or “hat-racking,” drastically alters a tree’s natural form by removing the upper canopy without regard to branch structure or biological function. After more than two and a half decades of professional practice and delivering hundreds of educational pruning workshops, it is still common to see that tree
Tree topping is not pruning, it is destructive practice Read More »
The forest tent caterpillar(Malacosoma disstria) is one of the most significant defoliating insects affecting broadleaf trees and forests across Canada. Periodic population outbreaks can result in extensive defoliation of natural aspen forest, and other hardwood trees in shelterbelts, windbreaks, urban settings and parks with noticeable impacts on tree health, aesthetics, and public perception of forest
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The white pine weevil(Pissodes strobi) is insect pests affecting young coniferous trees in shelterbelts, windbreaks and urban settings. In Alberta, it primarily attacks the terminal leaders(current and previous year growth) of mostly white spruce as well as some pine, causing growth deformities, long-term structural weakness (development of forked tops). It can be considering nuisance pest
Summer often brings intense and violent storms accompanied by heavy rain, strong winds, and hail. Both large and small hailstones can cause devastating damage to trees and shrubs. Fine foliage may be stripped away, twigs snapped, tender tissues torn, and—when combined with powerful winds—even large branches may break, or entire trees may topple. In many
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As temperature across Alberta is sometimes change from -20C to + 15 C in few days, the impact on trees and shrubs health can be significant. Winter freeze-thaw cycles damage trees by causing expansion or contraction that leads to buds, twigs and branch mortalities, frost cracks, bark splitting, winter desiccation and sunscald. Wounds from freeze-thaw
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Throughout my 28-year career working with trees and forests and many landowners, I have encountered numerous instances where privately owned trees were planted on public land, publicly owned trees were placed on private property, and privately owned trees were planted within other private properties. These situations often arise without regard for property boundaries. While trees
Trees and property lines Read More »
