A few weeks ago a friend sent me this story from the Washington Post about the DC tree gouger. This person went around the District gouging trees. Carving initials is pretty innocuous, but when you remove large areas of bark down to the cambium, trees can die. The University of Kentucky shows it well in…
Critter Concerns Insects like fruit trees for many of the same reasons we like fruit trees, sweet smelling, pollen filled flowers and ripe, juicy fruits and seemingly sweet leaves and bark. While we want to attract and protect pollinators and beneficial insects, injurious insects can cause serious damage, inhibiting fruit production or fouling fruit, stunting or gnarling…
Blight Breakdown Fruit trees can be a beautiful and productive asset on any landscape; tenacious, sweet smelling blooms provide aesthetic appeal while also attracting pollinators and fruit can be harvested or left as wildlife forage. However, they can be susceptible to diseases which will compromise aesthetic value, growth and fruit production. Detection, identification, prevention and…
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…
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…
Last 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…
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…
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…
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…
Today 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…
