Ladybug Arborists

Maureen Sexsmith-West ISA Certified Arborist, PR4600A It seems this time of year, I find it increasingly difficult to find time to write many blog posts.  Even in the busiest of times, ongoing reading of industry news is essential to our ability to offer qualify, professional care.  In doing some professional development reading this weekend, I came across this article produced by the TCIA.  Worth a share here. In many regions, consumers are bombarded with companies offering tree care – from their lawn care company, handymen, property management companies and to landscape contractors.  Training to work in and around trees is not often something you ‘pick-up’ as a summer student.  It involves years of education and training as an apprentice under a qualified, experienced certified arborist.  While some tasks can be accomplished with little knowledge with little consequence, the health and safety of your tree should not be left in the hands of your local handyman.  Cheaper is cheaper – not better.  Often times, you get what you pay for.  Trees can be worth many thousands of dollars – don’t leave the care of this valuable investment to just anyone. We work regularly with contractors with whom I have observed and communicate with on a consistent basis so I can vouch for their knowledge and skills in their trade as a compliment for client services.  Knowing each other’s strengths and utilizing them appropriately benefits clients and their trees. Link to TCIA Article #lethbridgetreepruning #lethbridgecertifiedarborist #lethbridgetreecare #treeplanting #ladybugarborists #lethbridgetreehealthcare

I came across this feature produced by the Tree Care Industry Association.  A good read for those who still think this is an acceptable practice. Maureen Click on this link:TCIA Feature Article #lethbridgetreepruning #lethbridgetreecare #treetopping #lethbridgetreeservice #lethbridgetreeinspections

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Giant Hog Weed – be on the look out ! #albertainvasiveplants #lethbridgegardening

This is a great little video that explains in simple terms how plants communicate. Enjoy #Uncategorized

HELEN SCHULER NATURE CENTRE Discover nature at home Maureen Sexsmith-West ISA Certified Arborist, PR4600A Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at Indian Battle Park or also take in the Museum attractions. These links give you a glimpse of what you can expect.  Enjoy, Learn and Love Nature ! Helen Schuler Overview Video #HelenSchulerNatureCentre #lethbridgecertifiedarborist #albertanativeplants #Lethbridgeheritagetrees #albertainvasiveplants

Maureen Sexsmith-West ISA Certified Arborist, PR4600A Just received this great news from Toso Bozic Agroforester/Bioenergy Specialist with Agriculture and Rural Development and the STOPDED network. To apply, check out the website below. If you have any questions on the program please contact Toso. Through Federal Provincial Growing Forward Initiative offering farmer, ranchers and farm business incentives for Shelterbelt establishment … It is under On-Farm Stewardship Section and please scroll down for Funding List … HOPE YOU APPLY and ENCOURAGE people to apply http://www.growingforward.alberta.ca/Programs/index.htm?contentId=ON_FARM_STEWD_PRG&useSecondary=true&active=yes go under 105 section and you will see the outline of the incentives #lethbridgemulching #lethbridgetreeplanting #STOPDED #treeplantinggrants

Our Northside Treasure Maureen Sexsmith-West ISA Certified Arborist, PR4600A OL’ WESTY, Plains Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) Location:  Westminster Pool (411 – 16 Street N) Height:                   16.5 m, 54’ Spread:                  1.5 m, 70’ 6”’ Circum:                  4.17 m or 164” -13’9” Circa:                     1906 Stats:  January 2014 There are countless stories from north side residents about memories of this tree. One of ice hockey games that led to NHL stardom (see insert following). Talk of sweetheart rendezvous and picnics under it shady branches. I am sure every dog that passes leaves his mark on it. As a relative newcomer – I can’t imagine it as a sapling – it seems like it has always been this magnificent. With the onset of urban development the ice rink was replaced with a pool and the lush grass is now an asphalt parking lot. Banged by snow plows – I am sure if anyone dared to trim off the lower branches there would be a riot. It was root pruned to correct a lifting sidewalk. It has had no special attention and no one to make sure it was watered regularly. Yet, it is lush and vital. The City of Lethbridge It represents the spirit of the residents of the Northside – resilient, self-sufficient and strong. It continues to be a recognizable landmark of the Westminster neighborhood. With low branching it is still a favorite climbing tree for neighborhood kids. It is hoped that it will be cloned so these amazing genes can live on in our community and a ‘junior Westy’. Imagine your great, great, great grandchildren sitting under the shade of its branches for a picnic. We can only hope. If you have any great pictures of family events by this tree or stories to add – I would love copies so they can be added to the provincial heritage tree records and to the Lethbridge Historical Society archive files too. About the Cottonwood Tree: Many trees were transplanted as whips from the river valley forest.  To the untrained tree hunter, you wouldn’t know if you had a female or male tree.  It is usually cursed and then cut down for the seeds produced in abundance by the females of the species.  The ‘fluff’ resembles a summer snow fall arrives every June and lasts for 2-3 weeks.  A mature female tree can produce as many as 25 MILLION seeds (Bessey, 1904). Ol’ Westy is a male – which produces the pollen to fertilize the seeds – which is probably why it still remains in this location.  When stressed or growing conditions are not ideal, they have the ability to reproduce through root suckering as well. 2.     Female Seed Catkins – before bursting open they look like a cluster of small green grapes. 3.     Male Pollen catkins – formed before the leaves open A story about a hockey hero and Ol’ Westy! The following excerpt is from the Hockey Hall of Fame. http://www.hhof.com/htmlstcjournal/exSCJ05_23.shtml Vic signed autographs in the parking lot of the Westminster Community Association, where once upon a time, he learned to play hockey on an outdoor rink located on the same spot, right there under the branches of Ol’ Westy. (Mike Bolt/HHOF) Vic Stasiuk brought the Stanley Cup back to his hometown on Tuesday, August 16. “I feel very privileged and honoured to bring the Cup back to Lethbridge,” beamed Stasiuk. Vic learned how to play hockey on an outdoor rink on Lethbridge’s north side. The rink, long gone, was located in the shadow of a tree local’s call ‘Ol’ Westy.’ “That tree was there when I was just a little squirt going up and down the ice,” Stasiuk recalled. “It was behind the west-end goal and that’s where we’ll have the Cup. If it wasn’t for that rink, under that tree, I never would have made it (to the NHL) because that’s where I learned to play.” From noon until 4:00 PM, Vic Stasiuk met hockey fans in the parking lot of the Westminster Community Association, where the landmark tree is located. Signing photos of the Stanley Cup-winning Detroit Red Wings team of 1951-52, Vic encouraged donations which were to be used for building restorations of the Community Association. After 4:00, Vic, his wife Mary, their three daughters and son returned to their home where guests awaited. Vic uncorked a bottle of champagne given to him by long-time friend Johnny Bucyk. Then, from 6:00 until 9:00 PM, the Stanley Cup was taken to the Paradise Canyon Golf Club where members, friends and family got the opportunity to fawn over the Cup. Any donations given were presented to the club’s junior golf program. In a tradition reserved for true champions, Vic Stasiuk lifts the Stanley Cup over his head, smiling in triumph of victories once earned.(Mike Bolt/HHOF) Although Vic was part of three Stanley Cup-winning teams in Detroit, his name is only engraved on the world’s best-known trophy twice — 1951-52 and 1954-55. In 1953-54, even though Vic played 42 games with the team, he was injured during the playoffs and his name omitted from the Cup. “We never got the chance to spend any time with it (the Stanley Cup). We didn’t get to parade it around like they do today. I’ve seen it once since then (mid-fifties), when Jamie Pushor (of the 1996-97 Detroit Red Wings) brought it back to town a few years ago. But I was so excited to just hold it over my head that I never looked for my name!” #lethbridgecertifiedarborist #Lethbridgeheritagetrees #OlWesty

Maureen Sexsmith-West ISA Certified Arborist, PR4600A Keeping Trees Healthy despite Chinook Winters I am not sure about other parts of the world, but this has been one of the colder, snowier winters I can remember for many years.  We are still experiencing the occasional Chinook. This is a weather system where warm, high velocity winds can cause temperatures to fluctuate from minus 20 to +12 Celsius within a 12 hour period.  Winds are often 60-100 km hour.  This combination of wind speed and temperature can result in 1 foot of snow vanishing in a day – partly melting, partly evaporating. As the weather fluctuates from very cold to very windy and warm, we can adapt our clothing, change our footwear and hide out indoors away from the elements.  Even wildlife can find shelter. Plants are not so lucky.  Rooted in place they must have ways of adapting and responding to cold and windy conditions. While your family pet puts on a thick layer of fur, trees shed their leaves to prevent freezing of their ‘water processing and transport system’.  Trees can handle the odd frost but what is of greatest challenge here is the frequent freezing, thawing, freezing associated with Chinook temperature changes. The plumbing of broad leaf trees is very different than conifers. Conifers Can Withstand Winter Chinooks Evergreens use a valve system that allows the tree to regulate where and how much water moves around the tree in winter.  The tubes (or pipes) are capable of withstanding expanded ice crystals when freezing occurs.  Winter kill or winter burn occurs when needles lose more water than can be replaced by the root system.  Evidence of this type of injury becomes obvious in Spring as needles turn brown and fall.  The presence of cutin (a waxy coating) helps them retain as much moisture as possible. Frost cracking is typical on the south side of broad leaf trees.  This type of injury occurs most often on thin barked or young trees.  Bark is exposed to direct sunlight, reflective sunlight and warm winds stimulating the water to begin moving.  Sudden drops in temperatures at night can result in some water being trapped in the cells, freezing and expanding causing the tissue to burst.  Repeated cracking is not uncommon and should be examined to determine if the crack is negatively affecting the safety or health of your tree. Contact our Certified Arborists to learn more about the trees on your site. #lethbridgetreepruning #lethbridgecertifiedarborist #lethbridgetreecare #winterizingyards #lethbridgetreeinspections #lethbridgetreehealthcare

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This is a great short video that will help you plan for a great vegetable growing season. #lethbridgearborist #lethbridgefruittrees #lethbridgegardening #yardcarelethbridge

Vegetables You Can Grow In The Shade #lethbridgecomposting #lethbridgegardening #yardcarelethbridge