David Carmichael, the author spent 30 years working with the Province of P.E.I. as a Horticulturist. David began his career with the Provincial Civil Service of P.E.I. on September 24th, 1990 with retail sales at Bunbury Nursery. The nursery was part of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry from the mid 1940’s until when it closed in 1996. David then moved on to the J. Frank Gaudet Tree Nursery to assist in the production of nursery stock for reforestation. David also delivered a broad range extension service to industry and the general public. Previous employment included work in Agricultural and Ornamental Landscape industries.
David D. Carmichael has been developing an 18 acre (7.3 hectare) arboretum of native and non-native common and rare tree, shrub and vine species from around the world since 1999, the original inspiration came while visiting an arboretum in South Carolina. The primary purpose of this project is to provide educational sessions and tours to interested individuals, groups, industry, academia, particularly disabled adults and children in memory of my disabled father through the assistance of a multi-terrain vehicle. There would be no charge for tours, though donations to support charity would be greatly appreciated.
“A comprehensive visual library for the identification of native tree, shrub and vines of Prince Edward Island including, but not limited to, mature height, culture, ornamental characteristics, Provincial distribution, propagation and common pests.”
“A comprehensive pictorial library of non-native ornamental tree, shrub and vine species and hybrids outlining identification features, cultural information, impactful native and invasive pests, height, form, timing of flower, fruit and fall colour. The library will also outline common methods of propagation, invasive plant potential in “Prince Edward Island”‘s climatic and environmental conditions and trial information related to new introduced plant species and hybrids.”
The idea of developing a pictorial library of native and non-native perennials for Prince Edward Island originated over twenty years ago while the author was travelling through South Carolina. Following a visit to an arboretum with educational resources on-site, the author was inspired to develop such an arboretum on Prince Edward Island, in doing so, the author established winter hardiness trials with plant species hybrid and cultivars from worldwide sources and provides tours and educational sessions to the disabled and other interested groups outlining plant identification features, cultural information, impactful native and invasive pests, height, form, timing of flowering. The library will also outline common methods of propagation, invasive plant potential of the plant in question in “Prince Edward Island”‘s climatic and environmental conditions.
The first edition of Hazardous Trees: A Pictorial Library is an overview of basic tree biology in relation to wood strength and weaknesses. The photographic technology of today serves as an excellent opportunity to highlight a wide range of tree structural weaknesses as they relate to potentially hazardous conditions to things in proximity. Proper tree assessment and maintenance techniques addressing these potential weaknesses will be highlighted. Specific hazard tree assessments, the author’s general hazard assessment for a wide range of tree species and establishing a monetary value to specific trees, whether historical in nature or standing naturally in a forest stand, will be highlighted.