Todd Irvine, Owner of City Forest

On this week's Roots and Rings Podcast, we have the pleasure of chatting with Todd Irvine. Todd has dedicated more than two decades to elevating the practice and the public understanding of arboriculture in Toronto and beyond.Todd Irvine has been a certified arborist for 25 years. As the owner of City Forest, he provides thoughtful tree pruning, detailed yard consultations, and one-on-one pruning workshops that empower homeowners to better understand and care for their trees. His approach reflects both technical expertise and a deep respect for urban ecology.Todd holds a master's degree in Forest Conservation and is the co-founder of Spacing, a magazine focused on urban issues that has shaped conversations about city-building across Canada. His writing on trees and ecology has appeared in major publications, including the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, and Canadian Wildlife, and he has frequently shared his expertise with broader audiences on CBC's Here and Now.Beyond his professional accomplishments, Todd is widely recognized for his commitment to volunteerism in our industry. In recognition of that dedication, he was recently honoured with the Maple Leaf Award from the Ontario Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture — an award that celebrates outstanding contributions through volunteerism.Todd's career reflects a rare combination of practitioner, educator, communicator, and community builder—and we're fortunate to have caught up with him during the Conference.