Mulching is an alternative to turf around trees and its use eliminates potential competition. A 2-4 inch layer of wood chips, bark, or other organic material over the soil under the drip line is recommended because it:

• Helps to retain soil moisture

• Helps to reduce weeds and controls grass

• Increases soil fertility when mulch decomposes

• Improves appearance

• Protects the trunk from injuries caused by mowers and trimmers

• Improves soil structure (better aeration, temperature, and moisture conditions). 

Planting a tree this Spring???

Dig a shallow, broad planting hole. Make the hole wide, as much as three times the diameter of the root ball, but only as deep as the root ball. It is important to make the hole wide because the tree roots on the newly establishing tree must push through surrounding soil in order to establish.
The majority of the roots on the newly planted tree will develop in the top 12 inches of soil. If the tree is planted too deep, new roots will have difficulty developing due to a lack of oxygen. It is better to plant the tree a little high, 2-3 inches above the base of the trunk flare, than to plant it at or below the original growing level. This will allow for some settling (see diagram). To avoid damage when setting the tree in the hole, always lift the tree by the root ball and never by the trunk.
Straighten the tree in the hole. Before you begin backfilling have someone view the tree from several directions to confirm the tree is straight. Once you begin backfilling it is difficult to reposition.

Spring Pruning...

April and May in Montreal are the ideal time to assess your trees and get them prepared for the new growing season. 
Winter damage and structural weakness are easier to spot before bud break. 
Frozen or partially frozen ground makes clean up easier, and reduces damage to lawns, flowers and gardens. 

For a free assessment, call Arborfolia at 514-457-7555

Organic microbrew for your trees and hedges New in 2004

Urban pollution, spraying pesticides or even using chemical fertilizers on our lawns, kills off bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and other organisms in the soil that are required for healthy feeding trees. By injecting fertilizer directly to the tree’s root zone, blended organic biostimulants, brewed specifically for our organic deficient urban soils, can contact directly to the plant’s root system. High pressure injections also act to break up compacted soils, and adds valuable oxygen to aid in the development of beneficial fungi.

Contact Arborfolia today, (514) 457-7555.

Arborfolia is a full service Tree Care firm offering urban forestry and specializing in mature tree preservation. 
Arborfolia is proud to be a Canadian company, owned and operated. 
All Tree Care operations and maintenance programs are supervised by a Certified Arborist on staff, and all work is done in accordance with ISA standards for tree care.

Fruit Trees Annual Check-up

- Prune dead wood and suckers
- Stimulate bud set
- Structural pruning for fruit support
- Dormant oil spray
- Schedule Fertilization

Our President... Jesse Bouchard-Nestor, studied horticulture at McGill University Macdonald campus where his love for trees was finally defined.

In 2003, he successfully completed the Arborist Certification program of (ISA) International Society of Arborculture, and in doing so, he became only the 4th ISA Certified Arborist within the Province of Quebec.

Jesse is actively involved in his profession, and is striving to upgrade the skills, knowledge and visibility of arborculture in Quebec. Elected to the board of directors of the (ISA) International Society of Arborculture, Quebec Chapter 2003-04, he also works as a committee member for the ISA Quebec Tree Climb Championship. 

A resident of Sainte Anne de Bellevue, Jesse is active in the local community, and a proud sponsor of the Mingo-McEwen Fund.

 As president of Arborfolia, he is responsible for all tree care operations, and direct customer consultations.

Topping is perhaps the most harmful tree pruning practice known. Yet, despite more than 25 years of literature and seminars explaining its harmful effects, topping remains a common practice. 

For more information on the harmful effects of topping, and effective alternatives and practices visit the ISA site.

 http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/topping.asp

Topping is Expensive...

The cost of topping a tree is not limited to what the perpetrator is paid. If the tree survives, it will require pruning again within a few years. It will either need to be reduced again or storm damage will have to be cleaned up. If the tree dies, it will have to be removed.
Topping is a high maintenance pruning practice, and there are some hidden costs. One is the reduction in property values. Healthy, well maintained trees can add 10-20% to the value of a property. Disfigured, topped trees are considered an impending expense.
Another potential cost of topped trees is the potential liability. Topped trees are prone to breaking and can be hazardous. Since topping is considered to be an unacceptable pruning practice, any damage caused by branch failure of a topped tree may lead to a finding of negligence in a court of law.

Did You Know ???

One mature tree annually will absorb as much carbon dioxide as is produced by a car driven 40,000 km.

That nearly 1/3 of a tree’s energy production from photosynthesis goes back to the soil to feed the bacteria and fungi surrounding it’s roots.

1) a. Aspirin.

2) b. Fungus & beetle.