Ask Categories: Deciduous Trees; Cultivar/Species

Fall Pruning *

  Is it safe to cut a big branch off a locust tree at this time of year?  The tree is 30ft. tall and the branch is around 6ft. off the ground.  Should we paint the wound if we do…

Cutting back a large limb on a Magnolia tree *

The tree is large and 25 to 30 years old and is very healthy. I want to cut back a large limb on one side, because we keep bumping our heads on it when we use the path beside it.…

Planting Advice tree seedling*

Hi, I was recently given two seedlings of Chinese Redbud (shrub) and a variegated redbud (I think). They seem very young to me and I wanted to know if I should plant them now.…

Ailing Japanese Maple*

I live in mid-town Toronto and have an ailing 30 year old Japanese Maple.  It is a lovely 30 foot plus tree, and it has added to the beauty and charm of my home.  However, in the last while I…

Removing and replanting an oak tree *

I was “gifted” an oak tree that I only realized this summer, possibly from a little creature. It is already about 5 ft, quietly coming out from my other bushes in the south-facing front yard, perhaps 10 feet from the…

Pruning a young Purple Robe Locust *

Hello, Just last summer (2015) I planted a 16′ purple robe locust in my west-facing front yard in Toronto. We fertilized and watered this plant aggressively and it has now grown to about 30′ and is really taking hold. Is…

Beds mounded too high around trees and shrubs? *

Hello Toronto Master Gardeners, I am worried I made a big mistake when I set up and planted the trees and shrubs in my backyard. Along the fence-line around the backyard I mounded up the soil, and planted several shrubs…

Raised bed garden infiltrated by roots from a maple *

Hi. New raised bed built this year. 8’by4′ about 8 to 10 hours of sun. filled with triple mix, manure and compost. built to avoid maple roots. Built on older vegetable garden. Removed plants today and tried to dig, only…

Tree in TBG Demonstration Courtyard *

On Sunday September 4th, my wife and I visited TBG. There is a tree near Annie’s green roof topped straw bale shed in the Demonstration Courtyard that we would like to know the name of. It has ‘arrowhead’ leaves and…