In a dramatic, but satisfying, twist of fate, the Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) has almost recovered from the brink of extinction. Named for its initial location of discovery and beautiful coloration the Karner blue butterfly relies on unique inland wetland pine barrens found east of Minnesota and along the eastern seaboard. Historically the blue’s range was a…
The term “living fossil” was coined by Charles Darwin to describe plants still surviving today that were known to be thriving millions of years ago. Primitive spore and seed-bearing plants which flourished in the ages of the dinosaurs are still found on earth today. When dinosaurs roamed the planet, 65-225 million years ago, was a…
While this may not seem like an argument, suspend disbelief for one second and indulge me, do you actually know the difference between fruits and vegetables? This may seem subjective, but that is probably because you are thinking about it in terms of what you eat and not botanically. So, gardeners and chefs may define…
The tradition of placing a live tree on the White House lawn in celebration of Christmas was started in 1964 by then Speaker of the House, U.S. Representative, John W. McCormack (D-MA). At that time, the tree was actually planted in its place, it lived for approximately 3 years before succumbing to damage from wind and…
As the birthplace of Arbor Day, with a flagship Tree USA campus, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) is has a reputation to protect and they do so by making a serious commitment to protecting the environment. This is why one of the seniors in their landscape architecture program initiated a campus-wide policy for replacing trees when it…
White pine (Pinus strobus) is a critical member of eastern forests, ecologically and economically. There are currently 3 tree diseases threatening the health and sustainability of white pine co-dominant forest systems. The first affliction facing white pines is white pine blister rust (WPBR); introduced in the 1900s this disease continues to seriously threaten forest and…
With so many threats currently facing our nation’s forests; climate change, invasive species, urban and suburban sprawl, pests, disease, fire or lack thereof, etc., effective landscape stewardship is more necessary than ever, it is especially critical in Northeast and Midwestern states. This region is home to nearly half of the country’s population and 43% of forested…
Outsmart is a smartphone application developed by collaborative efforts of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia. This application aims to connect the public with detailed information about invasive plants and animals in their area. The ultimate…
In a vast show of support for reforestation to improve water quality and watershed health, the US Forest Service has awarded $1.75 million to fund projects across 5 states which will mitigate Emerald Ash Borer damage and restore urban forest cover among other goals. Forest Service Northeastern Area Service Director, Tony Ferguson agrees that there…
Adding charcoal or “biochar” to soil can boost soil’s water holding capacity and reduce the need for fertilizers, which is well-known in the agricultural industry but as of yet has not caught on in the horticultural realm and growth media industry. Research, led by growth media company Fafard & Frères, in Quebec, suggests that biochar…
