Our History

Liski, District of Sokal, Ukraine

Founded in the 9th Century, the Shelem(a)y's lived in the Huleski Forest village for generations. But on a summer morning in 1926, war swept into western Ukraine. Sam Shelemy fled his childhood village before it was burned to the ground. He escaped to Canada with only his traditional Slavic forest wisdom - a family inheritance passed down through centuries.

1926 - 1950's

Sam Shelemy arrived in Halifax and found plentiful work in the immense forests of western Canada. Starting in fly-infested forests of northern Manitoba, working westward through mountain foothills of Alberta and coastal rainforests of British Columbia. In the 1950's Sam returned eastward into the fruitful Okanagan orchards, with wife Ann, sons Harry and Wally, and daughters Mary-Ann and Annette, to help with the family timber harvest and fruit orchards.

1960's

1960's

The Shelemy's returned to the aspen parkland forests of southern Manitoba, settling in the Interlake Region. In the 1970's, Sam and Ann established the Shelemy's U-Pick Orchard in St Andrews, Manitoba.

1970's - 1990's

1970's - 1990's

Their eldest son Harry, purchased a quarter section of forest north of Camp Morton, Manitoba for farming and the family woodlot. A sign was visible at the highway; 'Harry Shelemy's Wilderness Farm'. The Shelemy's were active members of the Manitoba Forestry Association and particpated in Manitoba's provincial woodlot program.

1970's - 2000's

1970's - 2000's

In the 1970's, a young, curious grandson started following into the family's traditional rural forestry work. By the 1980's and '90's, Guy (Harry's eldest son) was retracing his grandfather's footsteps, working through the forests of western Canada. Guy Harry was also displaying talent for a promising career in music and film. The dual career path eventually led to a fork - requiring a choice. Guy Harry says, "The call of the forest Lisovik is too strong to resist." In 2008, Guy Harry was persuaded to become an ISA Certified Arborist (PR-4775A) and established Shelemy Arborist Services.

2008 - Shelemy Arborist Services

2008 - Shelemy Arborist Services

Guy Harry soon realized the arborist skill-set is primarily developed for pruning large shade trees within urban cities and towns. Rural trees and wooded stands require a broad knowledge of silvic sciences and applied forest ecology. Guy Harry quickly became the 'go-to-Guy' for property owners and the 'Arborist Services' name started creating confusion with arborists working in urban forestry. The business name had to change.

2023 - Shelemy Rural Forestry

2023 - Shelemy Rural Forestry

'Shelemy Rural Forestry' establishes a clear distinction between the profession of forest health practitioners and arborists pruning shade trees. Guy Harry is a member of the Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF-IFC). Founded in 1908, this is the oldest forest society in Canada, serving as the national voice of forest practitioners.

1926 - 2026

1926 - 2026

Guy Harry is the last rural forester of the ancient Shelemy lineage. To pass forward the legacy, he is in film pre-production of entertaining, educational content for release in the near future. Guy Harry is also applying traditional knowledge towards forest biotechnology research and a book on rural forestry.

Our History

Liski_Ukraine
Liski, District of Sokal, Ukraine (Ліскі = forests)

Founded in the 9th Century, the Shelem(a)y's lived in the Huleski Forest village for generations. But on a summer morning in 1926, war swept into western Ukraine. Sam Shelemy fled his childhood village before it was burned to the ground. He escaped to Canada with only his tradtional Slavic forest wisdom - a family inheritance passed down through centuries.

1926 - 1950's
1926 - 1950's

Sam Shelemy arrived in Halifax and found plentiful work in the immense forests of western Canada. Starting in fly-infested forests of northern Manitoba, working westward through mountain foothills of Alberta and coastal rainforests of British Colombia. In the 1950's, Sam returned eastward into the fruitful Okanagan orchards, with wife Ann, sons Harry and Wally, and daughters Mary-Ann and Annette, to help with the family timber harvest and fruit orchards.

1960's - 1970's
1960's - 1970's

The Shelemy's returned to the aspen parkland forests of Manitoba, settling in the Interlake Region. In the 1970's, Sam and Ann established the Shelemy's U-Pick Orchard in St Andrews, Manitoba.

1980's - 1990's
1980's - 1990's

Their eldest son Harry, purchased a quarter section of forest north of Camp Morton, Manitoba for farming and the family woodlot. A sign was visible near the highway; 'Harry Shelemy's Wilderness Farm'. The Shelemy's were active members of the Manitoba Forestry Association and participated in Manitoba's provincial woodlot program.

1980's to 2000's
1980's to 2000's

In the 1970's, a young, curious grandson started following into the family's traditional rural forestry work. By the 1980's and '90's', Guy (Harry's eldest son) was retracing his grandfather's footsteps, working through the forests of western Canada. Guy Harry was also displaying talent for a promising career in music and film. The dual career path eventually led to a fork - requiring a choice. Guy Harry says, "The call of the forest Lisovik is too strong to resist." In 2008, Guy Harry was persuaded to became an ISA Certified Arborist (PR-4775A) and established 'Shelemy Arborist Services'.

2008 - Shelemy Arborist Services
2008 - Shelemy Arborist Services

Guy Harry soon realized the arborist skill-set is primarily developed for pruning large shade trees within urban cities and towns. Rural trees and wooded stands require a broad knowledge of silvic sciences and applied forest ecology. Guy Harry quickly became the 'go-to-Guy' for property owners and the 'Arborist Services' name started creating confusion with arborists working in urban forestry. The business name had to change.

2023 - Shelemy Rural Forestry
2023 - Shelemy Rural Forestry

'Shelemy Rural Forestry' establishes a clear distinction between the profession of forest health practitioners and arborists pruning shade trees.
Guy Harry is a member of the Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF-IFC). Founded in 1908, this is the oldest forest society in Canada, serving as the national voice of forest practitioners.

1926 - 2026
1926 - 2026

Guy Harry is the last rural forester of the ancient Shelemy lineage. To pass forward the legacy, he is in film pre-production of entertaining, educational content for release in the near future. Guy Harry is also applying his traditional knowledge towards forest biotechnology research and a book on rural forestry.