Madis Jürima: the Horticulturist who cultivates trees and interpersonal connections

VINCENT TEETSOV

What does one single tree or plant mean in a country with 2.2 million hectares of forested land?

When you’re working on the level of Estonian-Canadian horticulturist Madis Jürima, you’ll find that each one develops its own legacy; an association with places they’ve been planted and the people who chose them. Each specimen is also associated with Jürima’s incredible back story.

Jürima was born and raised in Canada, gaining an education in ornamental horticulture. He attained nearly 20 years of work experience at Black Creek Pioneer Village, Hamilton’s Royal Botanical Gardens, and the Arboretum of the University of Guelph, before things went in an unexpected direction leading up to his 40th birthday.

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President Ilves planting one of Madis Jürima’s spruce trees with the Municipal Elder of Kasepää, 2007.

Photo used with permission from Madis Jürima