This winter was one of the most severe we’ve seen in 20 years! Snow accumulations and cold temperatures presented many challenges for our landscapes, but in particular Deer were challenged to find food sources in these difficult conditions. Heavy snow and cold temperatures reduced deer travel, as deer minimize the use of their stored energy to ensure survival. The…
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Protection is Primary Climbing trees is all fun and games for kids, in fact, people respond to advertisements for tree climber position openings frequently saying “Sure, I can climb trees, I spent my childhood climbing trees…”, this does not make them qualified to perform one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Professional arborists are…
DetailsLast week I talked about a large white oak I came across on a client’s development site. This tree had some signs that could cause concerns about failure. One of the things we look at in such situations, in addition to the tree itself, is the presence or absence of potential targets. What is a…
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Burgeoning Blossoms Blooming has finally begun! All plants will not flower at once, each species has it’s own specific circadian rhythm telling it that conditions are perfect for for flower and/or pollen production. Up here in the great, white north only a few trees and shrubs have begun to flower, making identification easy, what is happening…
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Reservation Renovation Under the care of the Andover Conservation Commission, The Mary French Reservation is part of the Essex County greenway with trails connecting to adjacent reservations and parks throughout the state. Extensive wetlands bordering the Skug River boast a 1000 foot boardwalk where visitors can truly experience this ecosystem typical of New England. The conservation…
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To celebrate Arbor Day at College Hill, children from Warring Magnet School of Science and Technology showed their support by planting Dogwood trees donated by SavATree. Dogwood trees are invaluable for their beautiful flowers, bracts, fruits, stems, twigs and can help make a landscape beautiful. Poughkeepsie city workers also joined in on the activities but, the children…
DetailsToday was a school days throwback – we went on a field trip. We took a tour of habitat creation projects on industrial sites around Baltimore’s “Second Harbor”. If you’re from out of town and have visited Baltimore to eat crabs, take in an Orioles game at Camden Yards, or visit the National Aquarium, you’ve…
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Metropolitan Melting Heat Islands are normally the result of a built-up, urban area that is hotter than surrounding rural areas. Average annual air temperatures in cities of with 1 million people can be 1-5 degrees Fahrenheit higher than circumferential expanses, in the evenings that difference can be up to 22 degrees. Heat islands develop when urbanization spreads, once…
DetailsI had a pretty exciting Earth Day. I spent the morning on assignment for the US Forest Service Northern Research Station documenting installation of a treatment device that uses filters filled with tree bark to clean urban stormwater. The filter boxes were installed by the Parks and People Foundation under the guidance of their Green Infrastructure…
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Vector Vexation Depending on where you live different species of mosquitoes will be prevalent and they can carry various diseases. Mosquitoes are one of the most common and virulent vectors (insects or organisms which transmit pathogens). They are responsible for spreading diseases like malaria, West Nile encephalitis, western equine encephalitis and dengue fever. Mosquitoes can also…
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