Fertilization of trees is one of the most important practices in an effective grounds maintenance program. Trees need to be fertilized when there is little or no annual growth or twig elongation, when leaves are either poor in colour or undersized, or when increased amounts of dead wood is evident in the tree canopy.

The following steps appear logical in developing a creative solution to any landscape design. Obviously, there is no guarantee that following them will automatically produce successful results. However, soundness of judgment in making the analysis combined with sensitivity developed through perception, experience, and well-tuned intuitive skills will help the designer arrive at solutions that are aesthetically pleasing, that are easy to maintain, that function well, and that economically satisfy the needs of the client.

In a healthy woodlot, the nutrient cycle is balanced and stable for the most part. Through the decomposition of leaves, organic material is naturally returned to the soil- for the benefit of the plant- on an ongoing basis. Conversely, in an urban environment, this natural cycle of nutrient availability is dramatically disrupted due to the collection and disposal of leaves. As a result, in the fall, there is a continuous loss of nutrients from the soil.

During a recent conversation with Forestry Consultant Paul Robertson, he indicated that one of the major insect problems on the horizon is the Pine Shoot Beetle. This insect was discovered near Cleveland, Ohio in 1992 and has since spread to five other states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania), and to 23 counties in southern Ontario and two locations in Quebec.