Maple Leaves Forever

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The 2009 Spring and Fall Operations

After a very successful 2008, this spring MLF will continue to increase its planting operations and program through arrangements it has made with its existing nurseries and the array of planting associations.

Our operational priorities for tree planting in 2009 remain on roadsides, laneways and hedgerows and along property lines. We also remain committed to move away from seedlings to saplings and larger stock to increase survival. We continue to believe that cost-sharing is the best lever as it has proved to enable twice as many trees to be planted.

An MLF tree application form is now available on the Home and About Us web pages on this site. It may also be obtained from John Cary at jcary@sympatico.ca or by calling 416 255 0385. Our very strong preference is to communicate electronically. Completion and submission of the Form will allow MLF to make prompt decisions and plan for a supply of trees so that tree orders can be filled. The application process is described elsewhere in this section.

In 2009, MLF will continue to increase its stock and availability of native seed zone identified trees through arrangements it has made with the following nurseries: Baker Forestry Services in Erin, Pineneedle Farms in Pontypool, Winkelmolen Nursery near Hamilton, Baker Nursery near Bayfield, the Ferguson Forestry Centre in Kemptville and Somerville Nurseries near Alliston.

We will also continue to increase planting levels by working with MNR’s Ontario Stewardship across southern Ontario, Conservation Associations, cities, towns, municipalities, private landowners, woodlot associations and volunteer groups. The direction of our planting program will continue to shift away from open field planting of seedlings, with their poorer survival rates, and priorize roadside, lane way and hedgerow and urban street planting where appropriate. The larger sapling and taller stock has more success and restores these MLF maples to the landscape.

2009 Program Priorities

>Continue to enable landowners and associations to plant increasing amounts of MLF maples.

>Expand the network of nurseries which have current supplies of native, seed zone certified maples. We believe there are a number of nurseries in the Carolinian part of the province with a growing stock of MLF maples.

>To explore opportunities with major and smaller nurseries to participate in the production of native seed zone identified maples. We are currently in discussions with two very large nursery suppliers of landscape stock.

>Continue to meet with major tree purchasing jurisdictions to request their support for our standards when ordering MLF maples.

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