DeVos Tree Care
1429 Main St. E. L8K1C2 Hamilton, ON, Canada

The City of Hamilton is getting closer and closer to completing their very first Urban Forestry Strategy. Check out the link below for a condensed draft version of the strategy. While you should read it for yourself, here are a few pieces of information that we pulled from it.... The big hairy audacious goal is to go from 21% percent canopy coverage to 30% canopy coverage. A) FACTOIDS: Current canopy coverage by other municipalities as a frame of reference: Mississauga 19% Burlington 23% Cambridge 27% Guelph 28.3% Estimated lowest % canopy coverage by Ward: Ward 8 7.6% Ward 6 14% Ward 7 14.5% *see page 12 for visual aid. Estimated highest % canopy coverage by Ward: Ward 13 40.3% Ward 1 32.3% Ward 5 27.4% *see page 12 for visual aid 58% of Hamilton’s urban forest is on private lands. 29% of Hamilton’s canopy coverage is from invasive species. B) ACTION PLAN Once again, encourage you read through the document as there are quite a few action items (25 to be precise) put forward but we highlighted what may be some of the larger action items and put them into our own words: 1. Create ambitious communications strategy to match ambitious canopy targets. 2. Hire full time staff person to oversee the strategy and to develop partnerships in the public and private sector. 3. Determine sites to prioritize for planting trees. 4. Expand current tree planting operations. 5. Better protect the mature trees we have potentially implement a private tree bylaw but explore other options as well. 6. Design and Implement an invasive species management strategy. 7. Develop and implement canopy targets for new developments based on land use, ward/neighbourhood, and other criteria. 8. Annually review and report the progress made on achieving these goals as well as the larger goal of 30% canopy coverage. https://pub-hamilton.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx

How often do you get the opportunity to get a free tree anywhere on your property? Kudos Hamilton Naturalists' Club for putting this on.

Ah, we love our job. Got to climb this beautiful old willow tree to take out some storm damage over a garage. Also got to show off to the team that Aaron still knows how to climb a tree :)

We regularly get asked how do we get rid of stumps. 9 times out of 10, this is it with a stump grinder.

Today we begin on more of a somber note but finish a bit more hopefully. We are talking the ash tree.

And for today's tree... the Norway maple. You shouldn't have to travel too far to find this tree. It is one of the most common trees lining our city streets.

Another common and large tree you will see in Eastern Canada and the US. The Black Walnut -- Woodworkers dream, homeowners nightmare.

Here's a little resource that might be helpful for parents and children alike to get outdoors and explore the natural world. This video is on the Manitoba mapl...e tree. Have a walk around the neighbourhood and see what you can find. Look along fences, alleyways, or easily neglected landscapes and you will surely find this tree. More tree videos to come in days and weeks ahead. See more

The province has outlined a list of essential services, and tree surgery is kinda sorta on the list. As I heard one person say, "it is as clear as mud". We have decided to fall back on our values to determine the best way forward, one of our paramount values is that we care for trees and people. This includes our staff. The best way to keep all of us safe is to shut down operations completely for 2 weeks except for trees at imminent risk. When a tree becomes an imminent ...risk, then we are considered an essential service. See attached link for clarity. With this being said, we still want to help people as best as we can with their trees. While we are all confined to our homes, lets make the most of this time. Send us pictures through our website or to 905-516-4407 and we can arrange a time to talk about your tree. If you prefer then we can arrange a time to FaceTime/WhatsApp/Messenger and you can show us through video exactly what is going on with your tree. We will be available Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. https://www.tcia.org//TCIA-ISA-Joint-Statement-of-Essentia

It feels strange to have to say this but we are open for business for the time being. Social distancing just gives us added incentive to climb more trees. Ultimately we want to flatten the curve this means less face to face interactions and other practices like encouraging online payments. Blessings everyone through these trying times.

Important to know that removing one tree can affect other trees nearby. These well established cedars never had an issue until the neighbours tree was taken down.

Stay safe out there. Give us a call if branches are down. We cannot promise to get out there right away but will do our best to keep up.

When dealt lemons, make lemonade! This willow tree uprooted over a large property. Rather than remove whole tree we turned it into a naturalized playground for the family of 7 kids. The crew quite enjoyed the process of reimagining what a fun playground consists of. Everything from monkey bars, to limb walks, to hiding spots. Best part is that while the tree did uproot, a very small section is still rooted and the tree will very likely continue to bare leaves for a few years. #naturalplayground #treesarekey #arboristsofinstagram #hamont

This mulberry grows upwards a few feet and then for the next 20’ it is completely horizontal. Then it dips down, touches the ground, roots and then grows vertical for another 45’. Despite it looking quite rotten for the first 20’, the fact that it scoops down, touches the ground and re-roots gives the tree new vigor and it looks completely heathy from there on out. #amazing #aliveandwell #mulberrytree

Manitoba maple. Exhibit A and exhibit B. #tallweeds #stormdamage #treefailure #includedbark #arboristsofinstagram #arborist #hamont @ Hamilton, Ontario

A little video of some of the work we've done.

Where’s Dan? Oh, there he is. I like to think he is trying to prune this Japanese maple as opposed to hiding. #dayinthelife #japanesemaple #devostree #hamont @ Hamilton, Ontario

Thanks @eritzia for another tree drawing. Anyone want to take a stab at this one? As a hint; the branches have a bit of weeping habit about them. #trees #treeidentification #hamont #treesarekey #arboristsofinstagram #stoneycreek #dundas #ancaster

Removing a gnarly mulberry tree along one of many back alleyways in Hamilton. #hamont #shermanhub #arboristsofinstagram #treeremoval #mulberrytree #alleyway #lovewhatyoudo

Bike to Work Day! Whether it’s trees or transportation, we’re thinking green. Fun participating with @smartcommuteham, and special thanks to Juby Lee at @environmenthamilton for inviting us. #biketowork #hamont #gogreen #arborist #arboristsofinstagram #commuterlife

My brother was travelling in India with a friend when this branch came down outside the building they were in. One person was injured, how well they are doing is uncertain. My brother’s friend who is a local said, isn’t that what your brother does, he makes sure this doesn’t happen? That is always the goal. #arboriculture ##arboristsofinstagram #treecare

We pruned this tree late winter, glad to see it looking so good now that it is in full bloom.

Tree growing in the fence line... could be a Manitoba maple tree. Trunk isn’t straight and is leaning... likely a Manitoba maple. Leaves look kinda sorta like maple leaves... definitely a Manitoba maple. Also very commonly found along the many kilometres of #alleyway in #hamont #treeid101 #arboristsofinstagram #manitobamaple #invasivespecies @ Rosedale, Hamilton, Ontario

With time lawnmowers and trimmers can cause quite a bit of damage on trees. To better protect them against this, try a layer of mulch around them. #treecare #landscaping #lawncare #arborist #health #hamont

Black knot. AKA sh*t on a stick. Now that I have said that you should have no problem identifying it. Most commonly found on chokecherry trees but also cherry, apricot, and plum trees. The fungus will kill a tree but good news is that it can be removed if caught early enough. The process is time consuming but well worth doing. #treecare #hamont #treesarekey #treesofinstagram #arborist

Rigging a couple branches of a norway spruce over a house. #climb_high_work_smart #hamont #arborist #rigging #smallbusiness #arboristsofinstagram #arblife

Ready for work in the Hammer! @vothtrucks @vermeercorp @dodgeofficial @wpeequipment #chippertruck #chipperbox #work #aluminumdoesntrust #hamont #hamiltonontario #local #bigtruck #gobigorgohome #tree #treecare #treework #arborists #arboristsofinstagram

Ok, so that last tree id was a little too easy. This time I blocked out the trees silhouette and the leaf. I will give you a couple more hints. The bark is what you will find on a mature tree. Your best hint is in the flowers though. #hamont #stoneycreek #ancaster #dundas #treeidentification #treesarekey #arborist #arboristsofinstagram

Thanks @ereacha for this drawing. I was going to tell people what kind of tree this is but that would be no fun. Anyone want to take a guess? And for the bonus point, what chemical is it notorious for releasing? #treeidentification #hamont #dundas #ancaster #stoneycreek #hamont

Heeding advice of veteran arborist @blair.glenn to plant more trees. Thanks to @educatedclimber for the inspiring interview. Planted sassafras, burr oak, red maple, autumn blaze maples, and a Canadian hemlock today at a few homes. Excited to watch them grow over the next many, many years. Thanks @connonnurseries for supplying us with great trees :) #plantmoretrees #hamont #dundasont #ancasterontario #arboristsofinstagram #arborist

One of many reasons why regular pruning is necessary. If we caught this a year or two ago then we would have only removed one of these branches but since they were both highly compromised, both had to go from a beautiful magnolia tree. #treepruning #arborists #artistsoninstagram #hamont #treesarekey

40 diameter sugar maple tree around 150+ years old. Sugar maples don’t grow well in urban limits. Found this beauty in Lucknow, ON. #heritagetree #sugarmaple #acersaccharum #treecare #arborists #arboristsofinstagram #lucknowon

Pruning back this black walnut from overtop of pool and shed. Have a pool? I’m sure you understand. #rainingwalnuts #pools #hamont #local #wegotthis #arboristsofinstagram

Always fun visiting trees that we planted in years past. These are hornbeams that we planted 3 years as a hedgerow to replace the standard cedar hedge. Nice to see that in short period of time they have doubled in size to around 15ft.

Pretty cool opportunity to get fruit trees that has now been made available in Hamilton too.

#HamOnt is nearing the final stages of creating an urban forestry strategy. It is suppose to be completed by the end of the year. Speak now or forever hold your peace.

Whereas most municipalities are creating new tree bylaws, interesting to see that Peterborough is doing the reverse.

On a normal day we may get 10-30km/h winds. On Sunday evening, there are predicted gusts of 90-110km/h winds. Monitor your trees both before and after the storm as a gauge of their health and stability. Cautiously examine the root base of any spruce trees near the height of the storm. If you notice soil heaving then consider this a risky scenario and give us a call. https://www.theweathernetwork.com//high-a/ontario/hamilton

If this article is correct then potentially we could see upwards of 80% or more of #emeraldashborer larvae die because of extreme cold #HamOnt It could mark the start of a new beginning for #Ashtrees. https://blogs.mprnews.org//extreme-cold-may-wipe-out-high/

Kudos to the City of Burlington for instituting some measures to protect private trees. More is needed in the City of Hamilton as there is no way we are even matching replacement rates for trees that are being removed. https://www.thespec.com//9148066-burlington-neighbourhood/

A short and easy to read article as to why removing the top portion of a tree is a poor practice. http://www.treesaregood.org//docs/tre/WhyToppingHurts.pdf

There is no better time than the winter time to be pruning your trees.

Our team 2018. Check out our website at: www.devostree.ca

Green up your neighbourhood with some FREE TREES (and some shrubs!) available in Hamilton! Check out treespleasehamilton.org for all the details. Register soon as supplies are limited - the deadline is September 28!

Yesterday during the crazy wind storm this tree was on the verge of uprooting.

Happy to have spent Friday with the Ontario Commercial Arborists Association to continue to grow in the area of tree health care.

Got to love what Philadelphia did to hook up locals with single trees. The world's only tree matching service. http://treeharmony.org/

This video is taken about 4 years after this silver maple has been topped. It's life is now cut short by about 20 years. All that to say, don't take the tops off trees.

If you have a young or old tree on your property it is worthwhile to take a second look for codominant stem(s) similar to what is seen in the first picture. If you catch it while the tree is young, you could greatly prolong the life and safety of your tree. If the tree is mature, it could pose a great risk. The sooner the problem is identified, the sooner a plan can be implemented to mitigate the risk.

I try to remind myself of this tree from time to time. I found it last Fall in the Dundas Valley. It is a good reminder of the strength, persistency, and beauty of old trees. It's canopy is poorly balanced, it is growing on a hill, and it has a large cavity shooting all the way up the trunk, yet it is still alive and kickin'

Excellent comprehensive resource outline the role of trees in the urban context. Only downside is that most of the examples are American. http://www.vibrantcitieslab.com/

Want to plant something a little bit unique that is also quite edible. Why not try the native Pawpaw tree?

Good reminder during storms like what we could get today; avoid parking under trees with large dead limbs.

Somehow basic planting practices were ignored for these 20+ trees planted along Twenty road. Trees were planted too deep plus mulch piled too high around the trunk. They are already showing symptoms of stress as seen by the root suckers. They are only around 15 years old. Looks like they tried to hide the suckers by throwing on even more mulch. Waste of time, resources, a great way to slowly kill perfectly good trees -- what a shame.

Now hiring full time seasonal groundsperson Tuesday through Friday. Send resume in to [email protected] or send message with any questions.

Tip #3: No tree is an island -- plant more. Trees share knowledge and nutrients with nearby trees. Think of the soil underneath your tree as an incredibly complex and efficient system of highways between trees. Information that may prevent the spread of disease or absorb a nutrient more readily. Check out this TED talk if you want to learn more https://www.ted.com//suzanne_simard_how_trees_talk_to_each

Tip #2: Mulch is to a tree as straw is to a newborn calf: Mulch reduces soil compaction enabling better nutrient absorption for trees. It also retains moisture for long periods of time. Aesthetically, it looks great. When installing mulch it is ok to go thick (approx 2-3inches) but leave some room immediately around the trunk. ... Avoid mulches with dyes in them.

A few tips to keep your trees healthy this year. 1. Treat bark like it is your own skin --- Avoid punctures, bruises, and lacerations as much as possible. Lawn mowers, aerators, and weed whackers are notorious for damaging trees. Mulch around your tree is one way to avoid this.

The health of a tree can sometimes be a little difficult to assess by the naked eye. Contact us to have an ISA Certified Tree Risk Assessor provide some added insight.

A quick reminder. If you have had your tree staked for over a year, you should consider removing it. The rubber/rope can grow into the tree and prevents the tree from being able to adapt to wind conditions if left on for too long.

Another tough day at work.

Not every day do we get to work on the endangered and protected butternut tree, but today is different. What an honour. Special shout out to Tony Verhulp who I know would like to see these pictures.

Forget Pokemon Go and GeoCaching; it is time to go TreeCaching. Unfortunately only in Toronto at the time being. https://trca.ca//tree-caching-nature-technology-perfect-f/

Credits to the neighbour who gave plenty of video footage of this large limb from a silver maple being removed over their shed.

The hazards of working with a dead Ash tree.