Articles by Bradley Ward

Why Is Elm Pruning Different? Elm trees are an important part of Calgary’s urban forest.  In fact, they make up about 20% of the city’s tree canopy. But elms are vulnerable to Dutch elm disease, a deadly condition spread by the elm bark beetle. If elms are pruned at the wrong time, they can attract […]

Is Winter Really the Right Time to Prune Trees?  When most people think about tree pruning, they imagine it happening in spring or summer when trees are green and full. But did you know that winter is actually the best time to prune trees in Calgary? Not only does winter pruning promote healthier growth and […]

Understanding Tree Risk Assessment A Tree Risk Assessment is a detailed inspection performed by a qualified tree risk assessor to evaluate the health, structure, and safety of your trees. At LECM, our ISA Certified Arborists use this process to identify potential hazards — such as weak branch attachments, decay, disease, or root damage — before […]

What It Means to Be an ISA Certified Arborist At LECM, we’re proud that our arborists hold certification from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) — the international standard for professionalism and technical expertise in tree care. An ISA Certified Arborist has demonstrated a deep understanding of the science of arboriculture through rigorous training, examination, […]

In Calgary, June isn’t just the beginning of summer — it’s also peak storm season. With unpredictable weather patterns bringing heavy rains, high winds, and occasional hail, this time of year puts significant strain on the trees that line our commercial properties, pathways, and parking lots. As a commercial property manager or owner, understanding the […]

Removing a large tree is never a simple task—but doing so within the tight quarters of a condo complex brings an entirely different level of complexity. As professional arborists, we’re often asked why tree removals in these settings take more time, planning, and coordination than those in open residential spaces. The short answer? Safety, access, […]

Have you ever looked at the trees on your property and noticed a brown/green/black swelling on the branches? If you have, you may be looking at the fungal disease which is called “Black Knot”. Black Knot (Apiosporina morbosa) can affect all varieties in the Prunus genus or better known as Cherry trees. Although you see […]

Is mulch the secret ingredient to healthy trees? It definitely helps. Mulch is a material that is primarily made of wood chips, but can contain a blend of other composted materials like grass clippings and leaves. People often perceive its use as strictly aesthetic, but it actually provides a number of benefits for a tree […]

In Calgary, parking lot trees are often a sorry sight and require replacement every few years. If that sounds expensive to you, you’re right. Why not take just a portion of that money to give your parking lot trees their best chance to thrive? Here is what we recommend: 1. Reverse the negative effects of […]

How to Tell if a Tree is Healthy… in 60 Seconds Trees add a tremendous amount of value to a property; aesthetically and environmentally, which directly impacts the resale value of a property. Nurturing your tree’s health so that it can live to a mature age is often a challenging task in the Prairie Provinces […]

Trees are one of the most valuable and appealing features of any landscape. A little tree maintenance knowledge can go a long way in keeping a tree in peak health. Trees and shrubs in commercial landscapes, especially those in parking lots, need water at the beginning of the growth season for them to do their […]