sun shining through trees on winter day
December 19, 2022
Justin Lewis
Ying Qu has recently joined the LEAF Board of Directors. In this blog, our Acting Executive Director, Erin MacDonald interviews Ying about her experience and her motivation for becoming a LEAF Board member.
A northern cardinal and blue jay perched on branches during winter.
November 17, 2022
Jon Curtis
Creating a backyard oasis with birds in mind is much easier than you think! By focusing on native species and diversity, you can design a beautiful yard for yourself all while catching a glimpse into the antics of the bird world.
Alicia McNutt is the Naturalization Assistant at LEAF.
November 08, 2022
Guest Blogger
There are countless benefits to enhancing biodiversity. LEAF’s naturalization planting events assist in recreating diverse, sustainable and resilient urban forests. Through increasing plant diversity, LEAF protects public lands and urban forests for future generations, while helping connect people to their local environments and to each other. These events are crucial to creating and sustaining healthy environments.
A Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) eating nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) fruit.
November 02, 2022
Justin Lewis
Fall is an excellent time of year to attract birds to your yard, and one of the best ways to do so is by planting fall food sources. Native fall-fruiting shrubs are great choices because they produce an abundance of nutritious fruit exactly when migrating and winter-residing birds need them.
Kentucky Coffeetree silhouette in winter
September 21, 2022
Brenna Anstett
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The spookiest time of year is just around the corner! With its sinister silhouette, furrowed bark and wild, spreading branches, it’s no wonder the Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) is known as the Halloween tree. Standing nearly 45 feet tall, its bare, irregular crown makes for the perfect haunted house backdrop!
Volunteers removing invasive plants
September 13, 2022
Guest Blogger
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Newly planted trees and shrubs are vulnerable to many threats including invasive species and extreme weather conditions which impact the development of young plants. That’s why it’s so important for LEAF to return to our planting sites and provide much-needed care to our young trees and shrubs.
Photo with leaves and fruit
September 12, 2022
Jess Wilkin
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Whether you’re a first-time homeowner, living in a new development or looking to enhance your outdoor space, adding a tree to your property may just be the right move for you! Need some convincing? LEAF has you covered with our top five reasons for planting a tree this year!
a leaf with browning edges and discolouration
August 30, 2022
Jess Wilkin
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Checking the weather forecast is a daily ritual for many of us. After all, weather impacts our physical and mental wellbeing. But weather also impacts other life forms including trees, which can be even more sensitive to its unstable nature. When the forecast calls for periods of undue weather, learn how to spot common stress symptoms in your tree so you can help protect it against potential threats before they become problematic.
People planting trees in a woodlot
August 29, 2022
Guest Blogger
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LEAF held a planting event in Markham this June, increasing native tree and shrub diversity in a beautiful woodlot. Long-time LEAF volunteer, Peter Cox, has dedicated years of stewardship to this woodland area in the company of other Markham residents. LEAF welcomed the opportunity to boost local efforts with an understory planting event! Our Naturalization Assistant, Alexandra Catibog, describes her time spent working with this incredible community.
August 08, 2022
Maiesha Abdelmoula
For the past five years LEAF has been working with Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) tenants to green their communities and strengthen community ties. Meet one of the TCHC tenants we’ve been lucky to work with: Anthony Foster. As a Tree Care Team member, Anthony cares for two trees on his property through regular watering and mulching. Anthony is a keen and knowledgeable community member who understands the impact of planting native trees today for a better tomorrow.

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