May 2012 Blog Posts (22)

Each year holds new surprises for me as the Forest Health Program Leader for the IDNR.  Last year we battled with Imprelis lawn chemicals killing conifers.  The year before we had Arborvitae dying without a common theme, and we still do not know what caused it.  We constantly monitor for oak wilt, bur oak blight, gypsy moth, Asianlonghorned beetles, emerald ash borer, and Thousand Cankers disease of black walnut (to name a few).

This year brings about a new question.  Many garden…

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/britain-at-war/9299386/WW2-tree-carvings-and-bark-grafitti-unveil-private-lives-from-the-past.html

A biologist reveals the secret world hidden in a single square meter of forest.

In this wholly original book, biologist David Haskell uses a one- square-meter patch of old-growth Tennessee forest as a window onto the entire natural world. Visiting it almost daily for one year to trace nature's path through the seasons, he brings the forest and its inhabitants to vivid life.

Each of this book's short chapters begins with a simple observation: a salamander scuttling across…

Memorial Day officially became a federally recognized holiday in 1971, and was originally known as Decoration Day. Memorial Day honors and recognizes any person who served in a war in which Americans participated, beginning with the Civil War and continuing through present day and the…

Excerpt from Keeper of the Trees, by Ann Linnea

"The growth of a tree teaches us that things take time.  A seed drops into a fertile…

I have recently transplanted red maples-4" caliper, no root ball- that were donated. In our current drouthy period I am looking for any edge. Does anyone have experience with May applications of wilt pruf to red maple (blaze and october glory). I can water thoroughly prior. I already purchased the wilt pruf, but am hesitant. Any advice welcome.

One of the most important actions we can take toward a building a healthier, more sustainable environment is continuing to rebuild devastated forest and urban canopy areas. Most forests are able to recover naturally after a forest fire or other similar disaster, but some forests, such as…

We're in the running for a $10K tree planting grant from Odwalla and we need your help.  

The grant will allow us to plant over trees at Brentwood Academy, a very under served elementary school in East Palo Alto.  The 500 kids that attend have absolutley no shade on their playground and some of the worst air quality in the Bay area.  Please vote today!

Help us plant trees - vote…

My first personal connection with trees happened at age 6. My parents took me to a tree farm and I was their "measuring stick.” We planted a lot of evergreen trees that year--all the same size as me. And I learned how to water them with the garden hose.

My son is three. I am teaching him about trees, plants, and respect for things that grow outside.

He really enjoys digging in the soil with me. He has a little shovel and a little garden fork.

Blue Trees at Westlake Park, Photo: Mark Mead, Seattle Parks 

Australian artist Konstantin Dimopoulos raises awareness of deforestation by calling attention to trees in urban landscapes.  His art installation arrived in Seattle this April as part of…

Did you know…

• That the tree with the deepest roots in the world is a wild fig tree in South Africa, with roots that go down about 400 feet into the ground? 

• That the most dangerous tree in the world is a tree found on…

Sometimes, urban trees must be removed.  When this occurs, it is more desirable to utilize this wood as opposed to hauling to a landfill.  The trees can be milled by local sawyers and dried in small kilns to be used for furniture, flooring, etc.  At Watson Springs, we find very unique woods in urban settings. Just look at the "Rainbow" poplar that was removed from a yard, saved from the burn pile and turned into these beautiful step treads.…

By Brian Palmer, Published: April 30

Last year, a team of climbers led by arborist Will Blozan measured the tallest tree in the eastern United States: a 192-foot tulip tree in the Great Smoky…

Happy Belated Arbor Day!

Volunteers are an essential part of planting and caring for trees in America's communities. Now, thanks to financial assistance from Toyota and…

Post a video, photograph, or blog and get your friends to like it and win a $50 Home Depot gift card from the American Grove.  Modesty is a great trait, but to win you will need to share your tree passion by getting friends to like your post.  A great way to promote your post is by cutting and pasting the URL (the…

Most people think that only animals can be considered endangered species, but trees are living organisms that can also be declared in danger of extinction. To be considered a rare tree, it must either be already on the endangered list or very close to being added. The African Blackwood,…