Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Trees

community FOCUS: Experience Nature Or Who Hauled Nature Away?

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 17:24:35 +0000

“Town of Aurora is inviting you to experience nature – or not? Definitely our town is going through a major urban sprawl and I am confident that this will be noted as an important moment in the history of the Town of Aurora. Some welcome the development but I find it sad though, and somewhat hard to understand the short-sighted motives behind it.

Why are we so ignorant of the future, the future of our community? Developmental growth may bring some benefits to the town but also carries with it certain consequences that we blindly ignore to speak of today.” Read More & View Photo Gallery

I will be writing more on the community FOCUS site, post images and perhaps videos. Feel free to subscribe to other site as well as there will be more of Aurora on community FOCUS and more of a community related content.

If you wish to connect I can be found on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. I am active on all social medias and content may vary. Please no marriage or forever friends proposals :).

Winter Wonderland At The Aurora Community Arboretum, A Guest Photo

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 22:12:19 +0000

What a wonderful opportunity to conclude the 2012 year with a guest photo – a beautiful landscape of the Aurora Community Arboretum. A photo taken by Tom Yates. I don’t think I ever posted guest photo on this blog but sometimes I have to break the rules and may be stop being little ‘selfish‘.

Aurora Community Arboretum, Winter Photo 2012, Photography by Tom Yates, Portcullis

Few days ago (December 27th, 2012) I was cleaning Matthew’s bedroom and as always was thinking about something. Suddenly a thought came (Matthew would say an idea flew into my head). I left everything undone and sat in front of my computer at the office – just like that. The thought was to go and check out Evelyn Buck’s blog.

So I did and while I am reading her latest post that day titled The Good The Bad and The Ugly I came across section that read ‘Anna, if you are reading this post, maybe you could make contact with June and ask if you can share this and other beautiful photographs regularly presented in the Arboretum News.‘

After getting nice jolt of goose bumps on back of my spine I wrote Evelyn and Tom.

To make this long story short, Cllr Evelyn Buck tried to share beautiful greeting card she received from the Aurora Arboretum on her blog and wasn’t able to do so. So she called for help – ‘I have tried and tried to reproduce a Christmas Greeting received from Aurora Arboretum. The photo is spectacularly beautiful.‘

And she is right the photo is spectacularly beautiful and I am honoured to be able to showcase it on my blog. I never been to the Arboretum in the winter time and now I got an itch. I often forget how open fields and trails in the winter away from the major roads can still be covered with a prefect snow blanket creating winter wonderland scenes.

This time this scene was photographed by Tom Yates a member of the Aurora Community Arboretum. I also encourage you to visit Arboretum web site for more photographs (2012) of this scenic place. And while you are there, don’t leave. I was very intrigue by the information on that site – especially all the gardening and tree planting activities. I always wondered where all the trees came from whenever I took a long break from visiting; and I am not talking a small trees either.

Happy New Year 2013 Again!

Case Woodlot Trail of Hearts, Painted Hearts, Engraved Hearts

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 00:21:37 +0000

Case Woodlot Trail is definitely a trail of hearts or a trail of love as someone recently painted few red white hearts on the tree trunks and tree stumps. I found three and photographed three.

Painted Heart, Case Woodlot Trail, Aurora

There are actually four or maybe more. I found forth one last weekend when we finally decided to hire a photographer (A Pic or Two Photography) and have our family pictures done at the Case Woodlot Trail.

It was hard because I didn’t have my camera with me. Well it had to be done since Matthew has been asking why is he missing from our wedding picture.

Painted Heart, Case Woodlot Trail, Aurora

I think that was a creative idea to paint these hearts – dress up the trail as those trail markers we constantly follow becoming a little boring. It was also nice that they are all similar style. I wonder what spark the artist to do such thing – very intriguing.

Painted Heart, Case Woodlot Trail, Aurora

Beside all the painted hearts there are many engraved hearts on the trees. They are not new and have been growing with the tree. There is always someone who loves someone. Sometimes I wonder if any of these couples ever came back to those places. I wonder if those love birds are now married. I tell you there is so much to wonder and ponder when walking the Case Woodlot Trail.

Engraved Heart, Case Woodlot Trail, Aurora

Somethings will not last forever. We noticed big orange R on one of the trees. Probably marked for removal. The tree itself was full of love markings, hearts and initials all over. The tree may be cut down in the near future and hopefully will be left there. If not then all those markings are history, but hey some will survive and are here preserved in photographs.

Engraved Heart, Case Woodlot Trail, Aurora

It is interesting to note how different Case Woodlot Trail is from Sheppard’s Bush Trail. Tall trees, rolling hills, lots of dead trees and in the fall you are definitely going to find lot of different species of mushrooms. Hardly ever I hear birds. Squirrell there and there.

So far we only explored partial trails in the Case Woodlot, only the one that goes along the Handerson Drive. I believe there is a path that exits at the Norm Weller Park.

There are few sitting benches along the way.

Perhaps something still missing. Definitely more signs to let the dog owners know to keep dogs on the leash. When we walked the trail couple of weeks ago a dog charged full force in our direction and barked at us. If it wasn’t for my husband scaring him away he probably would jump at me and Matthew.

Unfortunately, they can smell my fear and the best thing the dog owner could do for those who carry a fear on their back to keep dogs on the leash.

Engraved Love, Case Woodlot Trail, Aurora

Trees Mural By All The Wells Street Children

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 04:46:38 +0000

Drawings, sketches, paintings, coloring-s – and they are all trees. The following captures are captures of the big giant tree assembly on the wall inside the former Wells Street Public School. I don’t have all the details but at some point children were asked to draw trees that were going to be displayed on the wall. Most likely they are trees from Aurora – or are they?

Not sure if the display is still in place or was removed. I fill you on more details soon as I find out. However, I would love to here more about this tree project if anyone cares to share more details from the past. Or even better – may be one day a blog passer will recognize something familiar.

I enjoy art. I am not stack on one style. I like many and there are some I am not fond of as a whole but elements of it. So one of my favorite art styles is children’s art. Its honest, innocent, intriguing, imaginative, and sometimes full of emotions.

If you like analysis then let me tell you what you will see below – trees with green leaves, yellow leaves, no leaves, evergreen trees, trees with fruit, trees with flowers, trees with a hole, coconut trees (nice imagination), trees with tire swings, trees with bird houses, trees with tree houses, blue trees, grey trees.

Then there are single trees, bunch of trees, and sometimes a forest. Trees surrounded by houses, playing children and flying birds. Trees at night and trees during the day, and trees during a summer, fall, winter or spring, and trees on the sunny day. Trees on the hills and trees with mountain on the back. Trees, beautiful trees, from around the world and not just Aurora – yes I found picture of a coconut tree.

Hayley S.,Stacey, Melissa Ellard, Janice S, Kyle McRoberts, Former Wells Street Public School

‘In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they’re still beautiful.‘ ~ A quote by Alice Walker.

Lisa Cross, Bryan Peckhover, John Davies, Former Wells Street Public School, Aurora

‘Storms make trees take deeper roots.‘ ~ A quote by Dolly Parton.

Zachary Gore, Nikita Haxter, Lauron Cleverdon, Ryan Steele, Former Wells Street Public School, Aurora

‘Trees will improve property values, take pollutants out of the air, help with water runoff.‘ ~ A quote by Michael Bloomberg.

Zachary Gore, Nikita Haxter, Lauron Cleverdon, Ryan Steele, Former Wells Street Public School, Aurora

‘I was in my yard and thought that the tree was a living being. We take trees for granted. We don’t believe they are as much alive as we are.‘ ~ A quote by Ziggy Marley.

John Gallagher, Paul K., Andrew Healy, Elyse Copland, Meredit, Quincy D., Former Wells Street Public School, Aurora

‘Just touching that old tree was truly moving to me because when you touch these trees, you have such a sense of the passage of time, of history. It’s like you’re touching the essence, the very substance of life.‘ ~ A quote by Kim Novak.

Davis McMaster, Erio R., Meredit, Former Wells Street Public School, Aurora

‘Schoolchildren and older people like the idea of planting trees. For children, it’s interesting that an acorn will grow into an oak, and for older people it’s a legacy. And the act of planting a tree is not that difficult.‘ ~ A quote by Clive Anderson.

Michael Hamamy, Melissa Ellard, Ryan W., Robert Jackson, Michael Cowing, Nick, Former Wells Street Public School, Aurora

‘If you cut down a forest, it doesn’t matter how many sawmills you have if there are no more trees.‘ ~ A quote by Susan George.

Stephanie Gallagher, Kendra McDonald, Kevin Burns, Former Wells Street Public School, Aurora

‘A great thing about these trees is that they are excellent for cleaning, both groundwater, and of course, air.‘ ~ A quote by Mike Lowry.

Michael Cowing, Joey Maisonneuve, Emily Twiddy, Danielle Charron, Charlene Singleton, Former Wells Street Public School, Aurora

‘You will find something more in woods than in books. Trees and stones will teach you that which you can never learn from masters.‘ ~ A quote by Saint Bernard.

Robyn, Colin Ogilvie, Morgan Peterson, Former Wells Street Public School, Aurora

First Day Of Fall At Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Geometric Views

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 19:33:47 +0000

I tell you there is a lot of geometry at the Nokiidaa Trail link boardwalk. Yes the official name is the Nokiidaa Trail boardwalk and not McKenzie Marsh. McKenzie Marsh is the pond on the other boardwalk along the St. John’s sideroad, North side. On the South side you will find Atkinson Park Wetland.

It was first day of fall and I went out around 5 pm to take some evening shots. To my surprise I wasn’t the only one. There were few other photographers along with people going for a walk or a bike ride. Speaking of bikes people continue to ignore the sign telling them to dismount the bike.

For today just enjoy the ride. It is really getting cold and it wasn’t warm either on the first day of fall.

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Looking East

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Looking West

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Looking South

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Approaching Biker

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Almost Looking North

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, A Runner

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, A Dead Tree

I Am The Lorax, I Stand To Recognize This Tree, The McKenzie Marsh Truffula Tree

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 23:24:38 +0000

I strongly recommend reading The Lorax book by Dr. Seuss (guaranteed that it will take you about ten minutes to read) or even better seeing a movie recently released that I saw. It was that one day when I read Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss that I decided to read ALL of Seuss’s books.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, July 2007

It was few months ago that I coincidentally found a copy of The Lorax book in our local Aurora Public Library. I was amazed and very supportive of Dr. Seuss’s environmental literary piece which he published in 1971. Now, I am also a proud owner of the book. Okay, okay, Matthew is..

McKenzie Marsh Tree, July 2007

I also read last week’s Weekly Notice Board and under the Public Notice I read the Have Your Say! Tree Protection Bylaw. They asked and here is my Say! And may be little out of context, but I want to speak for the trees, dead or alive.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, July 2007

Trees clean the air. Trees give us free cooling, that is shade. Trees enhance our neighborhood look. Trees provide food, yes apples grow on trees. Trees provide habitat for wildlife and attract nature’s best flying creatures, the birds. Okay, I am getting carried away; however, that must be enough reasons to stand by the trees.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, July 2007

So I read the TOWN OF AURORA GENERAL COMMITTEE Approval of Tree Protection By-law dated January 17, 2012 (watch out the link is for PDF file).

I itched and itched to comment on few paragraphs.

‘The online survey was completed by 100 respondents. This could be considered a relatively low participation rate and not indicative of community-wide public opinion, given Aurora’s gross population of over 52,000; however, staff was advised by our Communication Department, who assisted in the survey, that this survey was among the highest in participation of any previously conducted survey.‘

I did not participated in the survey. A one hundred people responded to surveys – a good enough number, I think. Other, over 51,100, did not participated because: many don’t have trees, many of them are children, and some just don’t bother.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, April 2011

McKenzie Marsh Tree, Great Blue Heron, August 2006

‘The current by-law provides for an exemption to golf courses. In reviewing the public survey results and other municipal trees by-laws, the By-law Review Committee sees a need to regulate the cutting of trees on golf course properties; however, the Committee also believes that golf course owners need a level of flexibility to be able to manage their business needs.‘

Oh that clause to exempt the golf courses bothers me. ‘… a level of flexibility to be able to manage their business needs‘ – why not be then in the forestry business.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, Great Blue Heron, July 2007

‘Under the current by-law there are no applicable minimum/maximum fines for a first offence. The revised by-law now provides for a minimum fine of $500.00 on a first offence and a maximum fine for any offence of $100,000.00.‘

Yes, the town by-law enforcement officer (I don’t even know if we have one?) has difficulty to charge a dog owner for having a dog off the leash or for not picking up after the dog; do you really think that they will charge someone for cutting a tree. Or may be they will?

McKenzie Marsh Tree, Green Heron, July 2007

“Mister!” he said with a sawdusty sneeze, “I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. – The Lorax, Dr. Seuss.

So what really I wanted to talk about is the McKenzie Marsh landmark tree. No doubt it is dead but it has been indirectly alive and a great perching place for many marsh birds as you can see on all the photographs here taken over many years. I took many pictures over the years and yet found that every year I got a new surprise perching on this tree.

Once heavily preoccupied by Cormorants, the Gray Blue Herons stepped back. Since 2006 the cormorant population slowly declined in the pond and the tree space is often equally shared with herons, osprey and all other smaller bird species.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, Osprey, May 2011

And yet I think we know very little about the tree. What kind of tree? How old is the tree? When did it die? Well today I stand to recognize the McKenzie Marsh landmark tree of which I/we know a very little about.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, Trumpeter Swan & Mallards, August 2007

I will not be surprised that there is someone who knows a lot more about the tree, that is today still standing, strong and on duty protected by the marsh water.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, Northern Flicker, June 2007

Yes, and the real point? The point is that we just need more trees in addition to what we have. We need to protect the trees, by-law or no by-law. As mentioned above they are good in many ways. They are good when cut, but better when alive.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, Red Wing Black Bird Females, August 2007

Trees are not only cut at the golf courses, they are cut when new subdivisions are being build. Mature and healthy trees can live for a long time, yet we shred them to nothing. Best example, South East corner of Bayview and St. John’s sideroad. I was so used to this treed corner that since their removal I keep missing the intersection.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, Cormorants, August 2007

Having said all that, did you know that you can get great deal of experience and a tree deal for participating in Backyard Tree Planing Program?

McKenzie Marsh Tree, Cormorants, May 2011

‘The Backyard Tree Planting Program is a partnership involving Aurora, York Region and LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests).

Through a full-service Backyard Tree Planting Program, a LEAF arborist meets with the participant in their backyard to select the best species and location. They teach the homeowner proper tree care and the benefits of trees. LEAF staff will return to plant the trees in spring or fall. The cost of this program ranges from $150-200 per tree (and this amount includes the consultation, tree, and planting service).

The Do-It-Yourself Program, participants complete an online workshop (education portion) and receive email advice on species selection from a LEAF arborist, picks up their tree in the spring or fall from a community event, and then plants the tree themselves. The cost for this program ranges from $25-$35 for small trees (for pick up) to $100-$150 for large trees (for delivery)‘.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, Cormorants, October 2006

And regardless of the price you can participate in the Commemorative Tree Program in the Arboretum.

McKenzie Marsh Tree, July 2007

Even better, try not to cut the tree.

Christmas Tree Collection, Oh What A Shame, Short Life Of The Christmas Tree

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 02:43:51 +0000

Christmas tree collection notices are out in town. On the town’s site the message is to remove all decorations, nails, tree stands and plastic tree bags.

Ensure that the tree is not buried under the snow because town will not pick it up: ‘Please note that crews are unable to dig out a tree or climb a snow bank to retrieve a tree.‘ Cut the tree into pieces if necessary.

Christmas Tree Collection

Every year in Canada millions of trees are cut down to be displayed for Christmas in our houses. It is such a shame that we take away a full grown tree away from the nature for that purpose. We put the Christmas tree on life support for three weeks. We hang extra decoration weight.

If I had a choice to be a tree no matter how prestige my purpose was – I would never want to be a Christmas tree. It just seems such a waste to grow a beautiful full size tree just for that purpose.

Evergreen Trees, Hamilton Park

I don’t meant to be a Grinch or a Scrooge. We have Christmas tree at home but artificial one. We all can have that option and the tree can be beautiful as the real one. You will save yourself money in the long run plus more.

Then there is the environmental benefit in the long run. Evergreen trees improve air quality. Trees evolved to remove CO2 from the atmosphere thus they are also good at removing pollutants.

In addition … ‘Tree canopies intercept and capture rainfall, reducing the amount that reaches the ground. In urban and suburban settings, a single deciduous tree can intercept between 500 and 760 gallons per year, while a mature evergreen can intercept over 4,000 per year.‘ – Source.

Wouldn’t be just good to have the evergreen tree seedling planted on your lawn and every Christmas to decorate a bit.

A Decorated Tree, Rush Road, Aurora

It is not like you go to the forest and cut down your own tree. I am sure you already know that all the evergreen trees are farmed, but did you know that all the farmed evergreen trees are also treated with pesticides?

You know that if you bite an apple and there is no worm, the apple tree has been sprayed. If you brought home a Christmas tree and you haven’t found any bugs in your house, most likely the tree farm is using pesticides to remove all the insects off the tree before they get to your house.

After tree is removed from your home it is recycled and back to the soil, with what, of course with the pesticide.

It is not that hard to figure out that I am hinting for the artificial Christmas tree option. It is all in your hands. Above are some of the hints I presented and I am sure someone may argue back why real Christmas tree is much more environmentally friendly. Believe me, I already did my research in that area too, but still I think that the artificial tree for holiday season is a better option. In the long run its $50 or $100 in your pocket. Think about it.

Tree Mummies Found, Winter Ready Nokiidaa Trail Ready For Weather Moodswings

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 01:56:09 +0000

I always thought that the evergreen trees were designed to withstand harsh winter weather. Yet here we are protecting trees by wrapping them with burlap type of material. Now reading more about it it all makes sense. Even just heavy snow fall can damage tree branches by bending them too much. Wind burn is another factor that can injure these trees especially when they are a new transplants.

You can see these wrapped up tree mummies driving North on Yonge Street just pass St. John’s sideroad or Hadley Grange retirement center, East side.

They look like mummies, but I really should not call them that as the mummy refers to humans and animals and not plants.

Nokiidaa Trail Link, Boardwalk

Sunday Break, Fascinating Tree Trunk, Yes Here In Aurora

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 06:08:40 +0000

Sunday photo showcase. All posts titled Sunday Break are photo(s) only and a quote. Posted photos may not be necessary the most current one and as always it is all about Town of Aurora. Enjoy!

Tree Trunk, Evergreen Tree, Metcalfe Street, Aurora

‘The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way. Some see Nature all ridicule and deformity, and some scarce see Nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, Nature is Imagination itself.’ – William Blake, 1799, The Letters

What Now? Tar Spots On Maple Trees, These Are Fun-guys Only

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:03:57 +0000

I have seen those dark spots in the summer on the Red Maple, and they are nearly invisible on the dark leaves – only if you look closer. However, in the fall they are too visible so I couldn’t resists to find out what it was. A contrast of black spot on yellow leaves does not make a pretty maple tree.

Tar Spots, Red Maple Tree

I am sure that by now everyone heard about the Asian Long-Horned Beetle, the Emerald Ash Borer and Yellow Headed Spruce Sawfly infestations. The latest and greatest is the borer and the sawfly. Borer is an invasive insect that kills all different species of healthy ash trees. The sawfly feeds only on the spruce trees. I guess we are missing a natural predator for those insects.

The classic scenario I experienced on my backyard was the infestation of ladybugs. This was few years ago and once in the while I still find one or two of those nasty ladybugs in my house. Since the ladybug population decreased over few years I do find more aphids in my garden. Releasing ladybugs, a predator to aphids, is one of few natural methods to control garden aphid infestations.

Then this one I will never know. About three or four years ago we were driving on Hwy 404 to work. It was just before Hwy 7, for about five minutes of driving we saw dark funnel clouds on top of many trees, no not tornadoes. It wasn’t like only one or two trees, it was hundreds of trees. What kind of bug it was I have no idea.

May be someone will after reading this post.

Tar Spots, Red Maple Tree

So what is going on with Red Maple trees on my street?

I was able to narrow down my search to the tar spots. Black spot, also called tar spot, on maple leaves are caused by fungi in the genus Rhytisma (whatever it is? my Latin isn’t that good anyway). Leaves usually become infected in the late spring or late summer and may fall off prematurely. These tar spot are not usually detrimental to the maple trees.

In our case here, it is already November and the leaves are falling due to natural fall cycle. Some are still hanging to the tree even with these spots.

Tar Spots, Red Maple Tree

And the treatment is? The fungus winters-over on leaves that have dropped to the ground. The leaves need to be raked up in the fall otherwise the spores will reappear in the spring on the old leaves and spread to any nearby tree. Well, we definitely have the spread on all trees, but everyone been raking them and composting. Hopefully it will go away.

Treating your maple tree is usually not effective. You cannot just treat one tree, you have to treat them all in the neighborhood, and for now raking is the solution.