Last November, I stratified Quercus bicolor or Swamp White Oak acorns that two large trees profusely procuced in a park where my kids play. Here is their progression since spring. April 11, 2021: planting the acorns The acorns sprouted in the refrigerator and we can see their roots through the plastic bag. I disposed them uniformly in the pots and covered them with a layer of potting mix equal to the thickness of the acorns. ...

Growing a wide variety of plants in a limited space brings unexpected visitors. Here are two beetles that I photographed in situ. A beetle hunting for aphids on a quince. Another spectacular but unknown beetle on a Virginia creeper. ...

On June 13, I took cuttings from a young European Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) that I planted two years ago in front of my house. If everything goes as planned, I intend to make Hornbeam group plantings. I first cut as many strong shoots and soak them in water to keep them hydrated. I only keep the top three leaves. The base of the shoot is coated with number 3 rooting hormone. ...

These small birches were wired on March 5, 2021. Three months later the wire is starting to bite and is removed. I partially defoliate the trees to stimulate more interior growth. ...

Last December I stratified some Cercis canadensis or Eastern Redbud seeds. They were sown in March and germinated in April. April 22, 2021 At the sight of its first true leaf, lightly hung at the end of a delicate and narrow stem, we understand why Cercis belongs to the Fabaceae family, more commonly known as the legume or pea family. Yes, a tree, one of many actually, that belongs to the bean family! ...

I bet you have never seen Black Birch trees this small. The cotyledons are well deployed but the true leaves have yet to come out. I am always astonished by the strength of these small sprouts capable of lifting heavy pieces of dirt or wood to reach out for the sun. ...

Early March I wired this small aspen. This species can produce really short internodes. April 20th, it starts to grow. May 31 The tree grew vigourously and the wire already bit into the trunk. I must remove it and some scars will last a long time. ...

This graft on a Japanese black pine was done at the end of March. 2 months later, the buds at the tip are swelling, indicating a successful graft! I can now gradually remove the grafting tape. ...

Each spring I hastily wait for the blossoms of my small crabapple. It then becomes a lovely bouquet that fills my home with the perfume of roses. At this point it is impossible to hide its belonging to the Rosaceae family. Peak blossom - May 9, 2021 Flower buds about to open - May 1, 2021 A few more days to wait. The crabapple is holding still for warmer days to welcome the pollinators. ...

I did not know what to do with those 20 Ginkgo biloba seedlings, so I decided to create two prehistoric forests. The buds are about to open. The timing is ideal to repot. I remove the soil and trim the roots to establish a flat root base. Here is a first forest containing 14 trees. ...