The Rhythm of the Land: Native Trees of Ontario
Flowers bring beauty and grasses soften the soil, but native trees are the enduring strength of the land. They mark the passing of seasons, support wildlife, and stand for generations. Trees shape the rhythm of the landscape and define the character of our forests. I am fortunate to live in Southern Ontario, a region rich in native tree species and woodland heritage.
In this blog, I invite you on a gentle, virtual walk through local forests to meet three remarkable native trees: American Larch (Tamarack), American Basswood, and Yellow Birch. Each plays a vital role in Ontario’s ecosystems and carries a story rooted in resilience, beauty, and time. Together, they reflect the enduring value of planting and preserving native trees for future generations.
American Larch
Tamarack (Larix laricina), also known as American Larch or Black Larch, is not a common sight in Southern Ontario, despite being native across the Great Lakes region and much of Canada. Our landscape already offers many vivid reminders of the changing seasons—fiery Sugar Maples, golden American Elms, and the quick-to-blush Saskatoon berries. Yet all of these are broadleaf trees.
Tamarack stands apart as the only deciduous conifer in Canada, a tree that turns gold and sheds its needles each autumn. In a conservation area I often visit, a prairie remnant grows beside a White Pine, an Eastern Hemlock, and a lone Tamarack. When the temperature drops, the Tamarack outshines all its evergreen companions. Its bright, smoky-gold needles are unmistakable, a living signal that the cold season is on its way. Each time I see that glow, I know it’s time to reach for my winter coat.
Aldo Leopold, writing in his famed Marshland Elegy, saw Tamarack as one of the signature hosts of northern wetlands. In his words, the cranes rise “into the air and flail the morning sun with mighty wings. The tamaracks re-echo with his bugled certitude.” For Leopold, and for many of us who watch the seasons closely, Tamarack is a tree that speaks of place, time, and the rhythm of the land. Picture 4 shows the splash of golden noodles of the local tamarack. https://www.hundredfold.store/en-ca/products/tamarach-tree-20-seeds?_pos=1&_sid=580f5c9db&_ss=r
American Basswood
Did you know that American Basswood (Tilia americana) seeds are famously challenging to sprout? University studies confirm that growing basswood from seed requires exceptional patience and dedication. Despite this, I was determined to offer these seeds in my shop. Years ago, while wandering the streets of Toronto, I was captivated by the sweet, intoxicating fragrance of blooming basswood trees. At that time, I was out of work and uncertain of my path. Yet the powerful aroma transported me away from my worries and filled me with wonder. It sparked a curiosity that led me to discover the basswood tree and its enduring beauty.
Years later, while walking through an autumn woodland, I spotted a single basswood seedling. https://www.hundredfold.store/en-ca/products/american-basswood-seeds-10-hard-to-germinate-patience-required?_pos=1&_sid=5eec1b1f0&_ss=r thriving among the dying foliage, out-competing invasive European buck-thorn.
Both of these memories remind me of the incredible resilience and hope that trees – and people – can embody. I share these American Basswood seeds with you in that same spirit of hope and possibility.
Please note: these seeds require significant patience and care to sprout, but the reward is a beautiful native shade tree that will grace your landscape for generations to come.
Yellow Birch
As an outdoorsman in Ontario, the Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis) has long been a familiar companion—but never an ordinary one. Every encounter with this remarkable native tree still brings the same quiet thrill. No matter how many times I see a mature Yellow Birch rising from the forest floor, its presence fills me with the same childlike joy. Just as a child never tires of a favorite treat, I never tire of the sight of a Yellow Birch.
Despite its beauty and strength, Yellow Birch rarely appears in the nursery trade. In cities, you’ll find sugar maples, red oaks, or even their cousin, the paper birch, planted along the streets. But a Yellow Birch in an urban setting is truly rare. In all my years living in Toronto, I have yet to see one standing along a sidewalk. Every Yellow Birch I’ve encountered has been part of a wild stand—planted by nature itself.
With a natural lifespan that can easily exceed a century, each Yellow Birch grows into a tall, dignified presence in the Canadian landscape. Its golden bark, cool shade, and high canopy are a reminder of how deeply rooted this species is in our forests. Each time I look up into its shimmering branches, I feel humbled and grateful. And each time, I find myself wishing: may these wholesome native trees thrive for generations, so that others can admire them just as I do today. The short clip was taken in a local woodland in Markham, Ontario.
If you’re interested in growing native trees from seed, you can explore all of our Canadian native tree seeds here.
https://www.hundredfold.store/en-ca/collections/tree-and-shrub
