Memorial Drive Trees: A Living Commemoration

One of the most recognizable roads in Calgary is Memorial Drive. Running along the Bow River in the heart of the city, this route is lined with thousands of trees. As Remembrance Day approaches, we share some history on those trees, which serve as a living memorial to the men and women who died during World War I.

Trees and pathway along Memorial Drive

Thousands of Canadians died during the war, and many of their bodies were never brought home. The trees were planted along Memorial Drive to create a living memorial, in hopes that this would bring some comfort to grieving families, who had no grave to visit.

The first tree was planted on Sunnyside Boulevard (now Memorial Drive), in the spring of 1922, by Mayor Adams. More than 3,200 trees were planted between 1922 and 1928.

With many of the original trees now nearing the end of their lifecycle, The City is planting new trees through its Landscape of Memory project which aims to protect the existing legacy and continue the historic, environmental and cultural integrity of Memorial Drive. This project includes the introduction of a variety of new tree species, to increase biodiversity and general urban forest health.

Memorial Drive continues to grow and evolve as a living memorial to the events and people that have shaped Calgary’s landscape. The ongoing “Landscape of Memory” project focuses on themes of remembrance, legacy and history and what they mean to us, as Calgarians. The trees of Memorial Drive are one way we, as citizens of Calgary, celebrate and remember the sacrifices that others made in the name of peace.

Memorial Drive's trees:

• The majority of trees planted from 1922 to 1928 were Populus wobbstii, –more commonly referred to as poplars. These poplars are now at, or nearing the end of their lifecycle.
• The trees are thought to have been wild trees brought to Calgary by miners returning from Drumheller.
• In 1922, the trees were sold for $1.
• Metal discs were attached to stands in front of each tree. The discs were inscribed with the year, the donor's name and a tag number.
• City of Calgary Parks began cloning the original poplars in 2001 to continue the tree’s heritage. Today we have 1,500 offspring growing in Grand Forks, BC.
• All the poplar trees along Memorial Drive are female, but one. Female poplars bear the cotton – which provides food for ducks, carries tree seeds and provides nesting material for birds and animals.

Submitted by Anna Blaxley, Calgary Parks

New eLearning modules help Calgarians ReTree YYC

As fall sets in and leaves change colour, it’s easy to see the beauty of our city’s trees. But the benefits of a healthy urban forest go far beyond aesthetics: trees clean the air, improve our health, absorb noise and increase property value.

For these reasons – and so many more – we want to keep our urban forest growing for future generations to come. In fact, The City’s goal is to increase our tree canopy from 8.23% to 20%.

Our tree canopy includes every tree in our city – from streets, parks, public spaces and backyards. And with over 50% of Calgary’s trees located on private land, we need your help. Events like the 2013 flood and the 2014 Snowtember storm damaged much of our urban forest, reducing our canopy cover. ReTree YYC has been working hard to prune and replace public trees, and support Calgarians’ efforts of caring for trees in their yards.

Now we’ve launched new eLearning modules to further support citizens in growing our urban forest. We want to give Calgarians the tools to plant new trees and care for the ones we already have. They’re free, and available 24/7 to do at your own pace.

The first module “Right Tree, Right Location” focuses on:

• The types of trees that work for you.
• Where to plant safely in your yard.
• Step by step instructions for planting a tree.
• How to care for your tree after it’s been planted.

Did you know: Early fall is a great time to plant, as the tree is focused on root growth, instead of new leaves – and trees are often less expensive to purchase at the end of the growing season.

Check out the module and learn more about what you can do to help ReTree YYC!

Submitted by Erin Smith, Calgary Parks

A history of Calgary's trees

Over 100 years ago Calgary’s early landscape was completely void of trees. In fact, our current urban forest is a remarkable achievement, given the city is located in an arid prairie climate that doesn’t naturally grow many trees.

So how did we become the “City of Trees” we are today?

William Pearce Estate, c 1890s 

Glenbow Archives NA-3898-5

Early Years

Starting in the 1880s, during the European settlement of North America, trees in Calgary were planted for practicality, especially as wind breaks against our strong gusty weather.

Civic leaders at the time dreamed that the Calgary landscape could be transformed into a “City of Trees.” Once the Town of Calgary was incorporated in May 1884 it started to distribute spruce trees to taxpayers for a small fee – you could call it the original ReTree YYC.

William Pearce 

Calgary owes much of the early beginnings of its urban forest to William Pearce. He envisioned Calgary as a city with grand boulevards connecting a series of park spaces. In 1884, Pearce used his position as an inspector for the Dominion Land Agencies in Ottawa to reserve land along the north side of the Bow River. Today it is the city’s landmark boulevard — Memorial Drive, and Pearce has his lasting patch of green in our city – at Pearce Estate Park near Inglewood.

William Reader

In 1913 William Reader became Calgary’s third Superintendant of Parks and Cemeteries. One of his first priorities was the development of the new civic nursery, located at the bottom of Union Cemetery hill.

From 1932 – 1942, Reader planted trees in all areas of the city, including Bowness, Mount Royal, Centre Street and Memorial Drive. Many of these trees today are on the “Heritage Tree Foundation of Canada” list –over 73 in Calgary!

Reader noted: “I very much doubt if any other public improvement will tend to create and foster a civic pride in Calgary to the same extent as the making of boulevards, and planting of trees on our streets.”

Olympic Plaza

Today

Today the urban forest consists of over 1.5 million trees in manicured parks, green spaces, natural areas, boulevards, and private trees.

Do your part to help ReTree YYC: Autumn is one of the best times to plant a tree, as the tree puts energy into establishing roots, rather than leaves. Plus, we’re offering free mulch at landfills from September 1 – 30 to help insulate your trees over winter. 

For more information on how you can contribute to Calgary’s legacy of planting and caring for trees, visit calgary.ca/trees.

Submitted by Erin Smith, Parks

Bees and trees - the dynamic duo

Bees play a vital role in sustaining our ecosystem; it is estimated bees pollinate one third of everything we eat. In order to do that, bees need to have large food sources in one location.

That’s where trees come in.

Trees act as a one-stop food shop for bees. In fact, trees have huge quantities of nectar close together, making it easier for bees to buildup stores to turn into honey. Trees and bees work in harmony: bees need the flowers from the tree for food, while the tree needs the bee to reproduce. Bees also collect resin from coniferous trees and help with their nest construction. It’s pretty sweet stuff.

How you can help

The easiest way to keep our bees happy is to keep our trees healthy. Healthy trees are essential for nectar and pollination. This includes consistent watering, mulching, pruning and monitoring trees for pests. For more information on healthy tree care, visit calgary.ca/trees.

Want to plant a tree for the bees? Until Sept. 1, The City is partnering with local retailers to help you save 10% off your next tree purchase.

Calgary trees that bees love (just to name a few):

• Wolf Willow 
• Crab-apple
• Lilac
• Red Elder 
• Maple
• Cherry
• Poplar

Added bonus: most of them are fruit-flowering, so (after the bees do their work) you can reap the rewards.

One more un-bee-lieveable fact: The City has set up mason bee houses at orchard sites to increase the colonization of the orchards by mason bees.

Submitted by Erin Smith, Parks

Let’s branch out: tips for picking and planting trees

When it comes to choosing the right tree for the right location, it’s easy to get stumped. Luckily, we have some tips to help you cultivate your inner green thumb.

The right tree:

• Hardiness: Make sure the type of tree you are planting is suited to our climate so it can grow and thrive. Wondering what works best? Here are some tips for selecting the right tree type for the area.  
• Stay local: Trees that are grown locally have adapted to local weather conditions and will be more successful when transplanted.
• Variety: Have a peek around your neighbourhood to see if one tree type is more common. Consider planting something different so that if a pest or disease is introduced not all trees will be lost.   

We are proud to partner with retailers to help grow our trees. Use this coupon and save 10% on your next tree purchase at these garden centres:

• Blue Grass Nursery, Sod & Garden Centre
• Garden Scents Garden Center
• Golden Acre Garden Centre
• Plantation Garden Center
• Spruce It Up Garden Centre

The right location:

• When: Ideally, plant your tree in the early spring or early fall when the weather is cool. It’s important to note soil, moisture and sunlight requirements; planting trees in the right conditions will give them the best opportunity to thrive, and they will be less susceptible to pests and diseases.
• Where: Consider the size and shape of the tree at maturity and make sure it is given enough room to grow. One helpful tip is to not plant trees that will grow to be very large next to the foundation of your home, retaining wall or utilities. We’ve found this handy chart outlining what to plant in relation to power lines. And don’t forget to call or click before you dig.
• How: Dig a hole two to three times wider than the root ball and as deep as the root ball. Remove the covering (container or wire basket) and place your tree in the hole by lifting the root ball, not the trunk. Straighten the tree and gently add soil to stabilize and fill the hole. Mulch the base of the tree to help with moisture retention and nutrients. Water new trees at least once a week if there isn’t any rain. The soil should be moist, but not soaked.

Looking for more? Check out a video on residential tree care tips or learn more about the City’s tree and shrub bylaws.

For additional information on trees, visit calgary.ca/trees.

Submitted by Erin Smith, Calgary Parks

Students gain appreciation of trees on Arbour Day

Thank you to the students and staff at St. Jerome School today who helped us celebrate Arbour Day and the importance of trees and green spaces in our city. Every year a different Calgary elementary schools hosts the official Arbour Day ceremony which includes the planting of a tree on that school’s grounds.

In addition to the traditional Arbour Day tree planting and flag presentation the event featured student performances including a choir, hand bells, bucket drumming and a high school jazz band. Representatives were also on hand from the Alberta Government, the Calgary Catholic School District, the Calgary Board of Education and Tree Canada.

Along with the official Arbour Day ceremony students in Grade One classes across Calgary will be taking home tree seedlings. These seedlings are for them to plant at home and help share some of the reasons why trees are so important, because they:

• Help the environment: by regulating the water-cycle, preventing soil erosion and making oxygen.  
• Conserve energy: by reducing the energy needed to heat and cool homes throughout the seasons.  
• Build community: by making our neighborhoods beautiful, friendly, and biodiverse. 

For more information on Arbour Day and the importance of trees in Calgary, visit calgary.ca/trees.

Submitted by Arthur McComish, Calgary Parks

To water or not to water? Tips to care for your tree this spring

A combination of above-average seasonal temperatures and a dry winter might have you wondering: How do I care for my trees in the spring?

In dry spring-like weather conditions you can help Calgary trees in two ways:

Watering

With trees beginning to leaf-out, they could all benefit from an extra drink of water now – it’s hard work budding all those leaves.
Generally, newly planted and/or young trees, under two years old, require more frequent watering. During extended periods of dry conditions all trees benefit from some extra watering.

Watering tips:

• Before watering, check your soil moisture. Using your hands, loosen the soil around the trunk to get an idea of how dry the soil is.
• Ensure the flow coming from your garden hose is a slow trickle to allow the soil enough time to absorb water. 
• Always water your tree at the root. Tree roots can be found away from the trunk under the drip line, which is the spot where rain falls down from the branch to the ground.
• Only apply enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of 10 inches or more for mature trees, approximately 30 minutes at a slow trickle. 
• Avoid over-watering. A good indication of over-watering is if you see water begin to run-off the surface. 

Mulching: 

Try adding some mulch around your tree.  Mulching helps trees retain water, moderates soil temperature and reduces grass and weeds from growing around tree trunks. Here’s more info on how to mulch.

Looking for mulch materials? Head to any City landfill between now and May 29th for free mulch – just bring a shovel and your own containers or bags!    

For tips and information swing by our ReTree YYC booth this weekend at the Calgary Horticultural Garden Show April 9 and 10 or you can visit calgary.ca/trees.

If you have questions or concerns about a City-owned tree please contact 311 via mobile app or by phone.

Submitted by Arthur McComish, Parks

Tips for winter tree pruning to help ReTree YYC

During the winter, trees are dormant, making this a great time to prune your deciduous trees as they are not actively growing.

Remember to be safe when pruning trees.

Deciduous trees are trees that lose their leaves in winter. Winter pruning promotes fast regrowth and healing of the pruning wounds in the spring. Insects and diseases are less active in the winter and the pruning wounds are exposed for just a short time.

Also, without leaves, a trees natural shape is much more visible, allowing you to see the branches that could be pruned.

Tips for winter pruning
• Prune on a mild day. Trees should be pruned in the earlier part of winter, before the conditions become too rough, to prevent frozen branches from shattering when they hit the ground.
• Prune early in the winter season when there is little to no snow on the ground to ensure safe footing.
• First prune out dead and diseased branches, then remove the overgrown and smaller branches to increase light and air at the crown of the tree.
• Remember to keep the branches that maintain the overall structure of the tree.
• Cut the branch at the ‘node’ or the ‘collar’. The node is the point at which one branch attaches to another and the collar is the swollen area that is found where the branch attaches to the trunk.
• Be careful not to over prune.
• Do not "top" your tree in an effort to control its size. Topping is the drastic cutting back of major branches. Topping may destroy the natural form of the tree, encourages the tree to put our weakly attached shoots and can create an opportunity for the sun to scald to the newly exposed branches which are more prone to damage.

But before you grab your handy pruning shears, it is important to remember to be safe.

Safety cautions
• Practice safety first. Start with issues that will lead to major problems if ignored. Look for potential hazards such as major limbs that are still hanging in the crown (top area) of the tree and/or trunks of trees that are split. These issues should be addressed as soon as possible, especially if there is a risk to injure people or damage property.
• Know your skill level. Consult with an International Society Arborist (ISA) certified arborist or a tree care company that employs ISA certified arborists. This could apply if trees need work in their canopy, large limbs need to be removed or specialized equipment is needed.

The City has been working hard to recover our trees since the September 2014 ‘Snowtember’ snowstorm. We have pruned and assessed 111,968 City trees and planted 7,488 City trees so far. However, with more than three quarters of our urban canopy on private property, it will take us all working together to regrow our urban forest.

Watch more winter tree care tips and visit calgary.ca/trees.

Submitted by Althea Livingston, Parks

Lighting up your trees for the holidays? Stay safe and keep your trees healthy

It’s that time of year when you may start to decorate your home for the holidays. Lighting can look beautiful, but it is important to ensure your safety and the health of the tree comes first.
 

For your safety, we recommend you always:  

• Ensure you use outdoor lights outdoors, and indoor lights indoors.
• Ensure your outdoor lights have a sticker to show they meet CSA standards or are CSA approved. 
• Never string more than the recommended number of lights together.
• Know your limits when decorating. Make sure you have the right tools, such as appropriate ladder, for harder to reach areas. If you don’t feel comfortable, don’t do it. 

Here are some tips to help ensure your trees are safe and healthy too:

• Hang the lights throughout the tree instead of wrapping each individual branch and/or trunk.
• Remove lights promptly once the season is over. 
• Electrical cords and items used to secure lights to the trunks and branches of trees can “girdle” them over time as they grow. Girdling occurs when wire or rope is wrapped tightly around the tree limiting the flow of water and nutrients.
• If you are using a ladder, be careful not to damage the tree. If possible, stand your ladder up beside the tree rather than using the tree for support. Leaning it directly against the tree can damage the tree and make it more susceptible to pests and disease.  
• When removing the lights, be gentle. Tugging the lights off may remove new tree buds or damage the tree's exterior, especially on younger trees that can be soft. 

Whose tree is it?

These are some tips for decorating trees on your own property. For trees on City property, there is a Tree Protection Bylaw, and the maintenance of these trees is the responsibility of The City.

Wondering if a tree on your property is a City tree? Visit the tree map.

For more information on what to do, how to get around and how to be safe during the winter season visit calgary.ca/winter.

Submitted by Allison Fifield, Parks

As you’re collecting your leaves this fall, watch out for bronze leaf disease

Do you have poplar or aspen trees in your yard? When you are picking up your leaves, be on the lookout for bronze leaf disease.

What to look for

Symptoms of bronze leaf disease typically appear in late summer or early fall and may only be on a few branches or leaves.

• Symptoms may spread around the tree and dieback may occur on infected branches.
• Infected leaves turn orange-brown to reddish-brown and typically colouration starts at the edges of the leaf and moves inward toward the base.
• The colour of infected leaves varies from very bronze to chocolate brown to dull brown.
• A defining characteristic of the disease is the way that the leaf veins often remain a bright green in stark contrast to the rest of the leaf.

How to stop it


Good sanitation is the best method of controlling the disease.

• Pick up leaf litter from under the trees as soon as they drop.
• Prune out affected branches 20-30 cm (8-12 in.) into healthy wood while still attempting to maintain the tree's shape. Often, this is back to the trunk. Removal of dead and or dying trees is important as they will infect nearby trees as well.
• Fallen leaves and pruned wood should be bagged and disposed of in the garbage only.
• Do not compost or burn any infected wood or leaves.
• Do not bring infected leaves and wood to Leaf and Pumpkin Composting drop-off locations. Instead, dispose of it in the garbage or take directly to the landfill.
• If you are unsure about how/where to prune, we recommend hiring an International Society of Arboriculture-certified arborist.
• Equipment used to prune trees should be sanitized between cuts to avoid transferring the disease.
• If you suspect bronze leaf disease in a City-owned tree, contact 311.

As with all tree diseases, the best defence is a healthy tree. Visit calgary.ca/trees for healthy tree care tips.

As you prepare for winter, remember your trees need help too!

As the weather gets cooler there are a few easy ways you can help care for and prepare your trees for winter.

1) Water your trees
Continue watering your trees until the leaves have all fallen off and the ground freezes. This will provide your trees with extra moisture to help maintain it through Calgary’s harsh winter. This is especially important to evergreens, such as members of the pine family. Although these trees don't actively grow during the cold months, they do lose moisture, and the cold, dry winds of winter can dry them out.

NOTE: You can also water your trees during Chinooks throughout the winter to keep them hydrated as extreme temperature changes can steal moisture.

2) Assess the health of your trees
Once the leaves have fallen off, take a look for any damage. It will be easier to see broken or hanging branches with the leaves gone. If you notice your tree has damage, we recommend hiring an International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist.

3) Mulch your trees
Put mulch around the base of your trees. This will help keep moisture in and protect the tree’s roots from extreme temperature changes by insulating. Check out our Mulching: Do’s and Don’ts resource for more mulching tips.

4) Prune your trees
Fall is a great time to prune many varieties of trees including elm trees as the elm pruning ban is lifted from October 1 until the end of March. If you are unsure about how to properly prune, consult a local arborist.

For more information on how to prepare your trees for winter, make sure to watch our How to prepare your trees for winter video and visit calgary.ca/trees for more tree care tips.

Protecting your trees from insects and disease

Last September’s snowstorm damaged a significant portion of our trees. Damage or stress caused by the storm may make your trees more susceptible to disease or insects.

The yellow-headed spruce sawfly.

As well, this spring has been unusually dry, which can also compromise the health of your trees.

Jill-Anne Spence, urban forestry lead and Jim Watts, urban conservation technician, recently caught up with Global TV to explain how to look for pests and diagnose tree problems.

Watch the interview now.

Tips to diagnose tree health problems:

Inspect your tree. Early in the growing season you should inspect your trees for insects, disease or structural issues. Observe:

• The size of the leaves – are they growing properly?

• If the tree buds are properly sprouting.

• The annual growth of a branch.

• If the top of the tree, the crown, is growing.

Know your tree. Many insects and diseases are tree-specific so identifying the type of tree will set you in the right direction.  

Compare. Take a look at other trees around the same spot, especially those of the same species.  

Take a look at the roots, trunk, branches, and foliage. Discoloured roots and wounds on the branches or trunk could indicate a problem. Check foliage for discoloration or damage. This could indicate insect feeding or other issues.

Oystershell scale

Dutch elm disease (DED) is an important tree disease to be aware of in Calgary. There is a provincial pruning ban for elm trees from April 1 until September 30. It is important not to prune elm trees during this period because Alberta is one of the last areas in North America to be free of DED. We want to keep it that way!

Other pests to watch out for are: yellowheaded spruce sawfly; European elm scale; oystershell scale; and forest tent caterpillar.

For more information on healthy tree care, visit calgary.ca/trees.

Submitted by Althea Livingston, Parks

Avoiding tree damage during construction

It’s important to remember to protect your trees before starting any summer construction or renovation projects. A healthy tree increases in value with age, so preserving your investment makes sense. Jill-Anne Spence, Urban Forestry Lead, recently chatted with Global TV to share some tips.

Protect your trees with a fence or barrier.

Some of the most common ways trees are damaged during construction are:

• Harming roots while digging, grading or trenching. 
• Injury to the tree with equipment.
• Packing down the soil which inhibits growth and root survival.
• Adding more soil which smothers the roots.

If you are planning a construction project:

1. Ask for advice: Contact a certified International Society of Arboriculture arborist or a company that employs them to help you protect your trees during construction. 
2. Plan ahead: Work with the contractor early to have the smallest impact on your trees. There are many options from changing location to changing the method of construction to help your trees stay damage-free. 
3. Protect with barriers: A sturdy fence should be set up around trees about 0.3 m (1') from the trunk for each 2.5 cm (1") of trunk diameter. Leave the fence up until construction is complete. 
4. Limit access: Limit access of vehicles and machinery. Instruct contractors and builders where they're allowed to drive and park. 
5. Stay vigilant: Often it is in the final stages of construction where damage to the tree's root system occurs. During the installation of irrigation systems, grading or planting bed cultivation, ensure the original plan is followed and the barrier remains in place.

"Often it is in the final stages of construction where damage to the tree occurs." Tweet this

After construction, good tree maintenance will help your trees recover from any injury or changes. More information at calgary.ca/trees.

Submitted by Althea Livingston, Parks

Spring is here! How to plant a new tree

If you lost a tree in the snowstorm last September or are looking to plant another, here is what you need to know to plant your new tree.

• Call before you dig. Before digging holes to plant trees or build fences, contact Alberta One-Call so a representative can mark the location of shallow utilities.
• Choose the right tree for the right location. Check out our previous blog post that outlines how to select the perfect tree.
• Ideally, plant your tree in the early spring or early fall when the weather is cool. 

  

  Choose the right tree for the right location.

• To avoid “transplant shock” for your new tree, remember to properly prepare the new location. 
• Dig a hole two to three times wider than the root ball, but only as deep as the root ball. 
• Remove the covering (container or wire basket) and place in the hole by lifting by the root ball and not the trunk. 
• Straighten the tree and gently add soil to stabilize the tree and fill the hole. 
• Mulch the base of the tree to help with moisture retention and nutrients. 
• Water new trees at least once a week if there isn’t any rain. The soil should be moist, but not soaked. 

For a video demonstrating tree selection and planting tips, check out this recent interview featuring our Urban Forestry Lead, Jill-Anne Spence, who recently shared tips with Global’s Gemma Stroobant.

You may be eligible for a $500 rebate

Residents with trees severely damaged or killed by the flood or snowstorm may apply for a rebate, through the Alberta Urban Forest ReLeaf program, of up to $500 off the estimated cost of a landscape tree.

The unseasonal snowstorm last September caused significant damage to our urban forest. Estimates indicate 50 per cent of the 500,000 public trees and 1.5 million private trees sustained damage from the storm. With three times as many damaged trees on private property as on City land, recovering from the storm will require us to look after our trees together.  More information can be found at calgary.ca/trees.

Submitted by Althea Livingston, Parks

Want to know what tree work is scheduled in your community to recover from last September’s storm?

Now you can use an easy interactive map to see how we are helping public trees recover in your community.

Tree work is planned in many Calgary neighbourhoods including pruning of public trees, the annual NeighbourWoods community partnerships, tree planting, and the life cycling of poplar trees.

Tree recovery map.

To understand how to use the map, click on ‘South Calgary’ as an example. You will see a window pop up that indicates NeighbourWoods is planned for this community, as well as tree planting and poplar tree life cycling.

The Tree Recovery Map will keep you updated on what is scheduled for your community. Learn when trees near your home are being pruned or replanted, and find out if you live in a NeighbourWoods community. Click on your community to learn more!

The unseasonal snowstorm last September caused significant damage to our urban forest. Estimates indicate 50 per cent of the 500,000 public trees and 1.5 million private trees sustained damage from the storm. With three times as many damaged trees on private property as on City land, recovering from the storm will require us to look after our trees together.

More information can be found at calgary.ca/trees.

Submitted by Althea Livingston, Parks

Right tree, right location: selecting the best tree for your yard

This past weekend, our Urban Forestry Lead, Jill-Anne Spence, along with Kath Smyth, from the Calgary Horticultural Society, talked about the importance of tree and shrub selection with Global Calgary.

To help you select and plant a healthy tree that is the “right tree for the right location” here are some of the tips they shared:

Plant hardiness: Make sure that the type of tree you are planting is hardy for the climate and will grow. Further information on selecting the right tree type for the area here.

Shop local: Choose trees that have been grown locally, where possible. Check with the nursery as to where they purchased their trees. Trees that are grown locally have adapted to local weather conditions and will be more successful when transplanted.

Check for utilities: Utilities can be both above ground (such as power lines), and below ground (such as a gas line). We’ve found this handy chart outlining what to plant in relation to power lines. And always remember to call or click before you dig.

Right conditions: Different trees have different needs, so check soil, moisture and sunlight requirements. Planting trees in the right conditions will give them the best opportunity to thrive, including less susceptible to pests and diseases.

How much will it grow?: Consider the size and shape of the tree at maturity and make sure that it is given enough room to grow. For example, do not plant large growing trees next to the foundation of your home or a retaining wall.

Mix it up: A sustainable urban forest is one that has many different types of trees. Look around your neighbourhood and see if one tree type is is more common. Consider planting something different so that if a pest or disease is introduced, not all trees will be lost.    

Watch the full Global TV: Your Calgary Garden segment.

And for more information on trees, including our ReTree YYC fairs, visit calgary.ca/trees.

Submitted by Althea Livingston, Parks

Students celebrate Arbour Day and the importance of trees

Grant MacEwan Elementary School has special ties to Arbour Day. In 1958, it was at the direction of the school’s namesake, then Alderman Grant MacEwan, that seedlings were distributed to students.

Students tied blue tartan in honour of MacEwan.

Each year a different Calgary elementary school is awarded the honour of hosting the official Arbour Day ceremony, and an official Arbour Day tree is planted on the school's grounds.

The staff and students at Grant MacEwan School were thrilled to host this special day with the community and students from St. Jerome School, the host school for next year’s Arbour Day.

It's all about the trees

“My favourite thing about Arbour Day is the trees!” One student said enthusiastically. Another student added, “it really helps us understand how important our environment is and how we need to protect it.”

With origins in 1905, Arbour Day is the longest running civic greening project in Calgary. The event is celebrated on the first Thursday in May each year.

Students take home trees to plant

An estimated 425,000 tree seedlings have been distributed to Grade One students in celebration of the day.

For more information on Arbour Day and the importance of trees in Calgary, visit calgary.ca/trees.

Submitted by Althea Livingston, Parks

Do your trees need mulching? Find out here!

With spring here, you might be out working in your yard but something that is often overlooked is mulching trees. All trees can benefit from mulch. It provides numerous benefits, including improving overall tree health by providing needed nutrients and reducing moisture loss.

What is mulch?

Mulch is a layer of organic material, such as compost, shredded wood or bark, or inorganic material such as pea gravel, that is spread on top of soil. It creates a healthy, attractive yard that requires less water and weeding. Mulch also suppresses the growth of weeds and helps protect your tree’s roots from extreme temperature changes through insulation.

Proper mulch depth is between 5-10 cm.

Mulching a tree for the first time? 

Put a five to 10 centimetre layer of mulch around the base of the tree leaving space to expose the trunk. When mulch is piled against the trunk it may negatively impact the health of the tree. In order to get the full benefits of mulching, you want to a depth of five to 10 cm. Too much mulch can lead to excessive moisture at the roots, nutrient deficiencies, fluctuating moisture, girdling roots and encourage pests and rodents. Often this happens over time, so be sure to check the mulch depth each time. 

What do I do if I am re-mulching? 

If mulch is present around your tree, be sure to check the depth. If it is already five to 10 centimetres deep, work on improving the mulch that is there by breaking up any larges pieces with a shovel. This is also a great time to make sure the trunk is exposed and the mulch hasn’t piled against it. If this is the case, clear the mulch back approximately 10 centimetres from the base.

Are there alternatives to buying mulch? 

You can use what you have in your own yard with a little bit of preparation! If you have wood chips, tree bark and/or leaves around your yard already, you can put them in your composter for two to three months. After this period of time you will have usable mulch that you can place around established trees and shrubs.

Free mulch!

Come to a Community Tree Resource Fair this spring and receive free mulch for your trees. We will be at the following locations:

·        Saturday, May 9 – Disaster Alley at McMahon Stadium

·        Sunday, May 17 – South Glenmore Park 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

·        Sunday, June 14 – Prairie Winds Park 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

·        Sunday, June 28 – Bowness Park 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information on caring for your trees, tree events, and tree planting opportunities in Calgary, visit calgary.ca/trees. 

Let’s partner to plant trees

With the 25 NeighbourWoods communities for 2015 now selected we are looking for your help! If you live in one of the communities listed below, now is the time to register online or call 311 to volunteer to plant a City-tree in your community.

Planting a tree in Highland Park.

“Because of the September snow storm, we’re tackling planting trees in a big way for 2015,” says Erin Brown, Neighbourwoods program advisor. “We typically work with ten communities to plant trees – this year it’s 25.”

To help support volunteers we provide the trees, help prepare the planting site, share tree care information and much more. Volunteers pay $30 for each tree and then choose which tree is planted and help plant and care for the tree.

If you do not live in one of the 25 communities, you can still apply to have a City-tree planted in a public area in your community with the Planting Incentive Program. If approved, we will match 50 per cent of the cost of a new City-tree, do all the planning and planting, and the community will get to choose the type of tree and where it can be planted.

Communities were selected based on factors like the health and condition of the existing neighbourhood trees, community interest and tree planting opportunities.

For more information on planting trees in your community, visit calgary.ca/trees.

The 2015 communities are:  

• Acadia
• Altadore
• Banff Trail
• Bankview
• Bridgeland
• Capitol Hill
• Dover
• Elbow Park
• Mount Pleasant
• Glenbrook
• Glendale
• Killarney
• Lower Mount Royal
• North Haven
• Renfrew
• Richmond/Knobhill
• Roxboro
• Scenic Acres
• Sherwood 
• Spruce Cliff
• Taradale
• Tuscany
• Upper Mount Royal
• Windsor Park
• Willow Park
• Woodbine 
• Woodlands

Submitted by Althea Livingston, Parks

Venture into your yard & check the health of trees

As temperatures warm up, it’s time to venture into your backyard and check your trees for damage that may still be there from the September snow storm last fall. Right now we estimate three quarters of the tree damage is located on private property.



Here are a few things to look for when caring for your trees:

• Comply with the Alberta elm pruning ban between March 31 and September 30. Alberta is one of the last geographic areas in North America to be free of Dutch elm disease. Elm trees are also one of the few types of shade trees that grow in Calgary so it is important to protect them.
• Consider all options before removing your trees. Tree have many benefits such as providing shade and cooling, slowing down storm water runoff, increasing property values and helping to keep people healthy and happy.
• Removing entire trees or large limbs can change the wind dynamics in a location or within the tree.
• Do not take the drastic step of “topping” your tree in an effort to control its size. Topping is the drastic cutting back of major branches. Topping may destroy the natural form of the tree and encourages the tree to put our weakly attached shoots which are more prone to damage.
• Practice safety first. Start with issues that will lead to major problems if ignored. Look for potential hazards such as major limbs that are still hanging in the canopy of the tree and/or trunks of trees that are split. These issues should be addressed as soon as possible, especially if there is a risk to injure people or damage property.
• Know your skill level. Consult with an International Society Arborist (ISA) certified arborist or a tree care company that employs ISA certified arborists. This could apply if trees need work in their canopy, large limbs need to be removed or specialized equipment is needed.

It’s important to look out for our trees not only for safety purposes but because they contribute many environmental, social, and economical benefits. Trees are one of a few assets that appreciate in value over time.

For more information on supporting your trees and recovering from the September 2014 Snow Storm, visit calgary.ca/trees.