Archive for the ‘trees’ Category

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Cherry Tree Survey Study in the UK

Saturday, April 17th, 2010

The Natural History Museum is beginning a survey of cherry trees throughout the UK.

Bountiful, Delicious Cherries on the Tree

Bountiful, Delicious Cherries on the Tree

They are calling on people in all walks of life and in all kinds of locations to report on cherry trees in their area. By mapping and then tracking performance of the various kinds of cherry trees and their locations, over time they will be able to understand more about biodiversity, climate change affects on trees, changes in garden design aesthetics and much more. Later, other trees will be added to the study.

If you are in the UK and wish to participate in the study, learn more here. You don’t have to be growing a cherry tree in your own garden to provide input. Simply go on a walk and identify cherries in neighboring parks or other favorite spots. Don’t know how to identify if a tree is a cherry or not? The program provides a “cherry identification key” guide here. So you’ll learn along the way!

(Even if you aren’t participating in the survey, perhaps you’ll find the key helpful in your own cherry walk of life.)

And, of course, I’m curious. Anyone out there aware of any similar studies elsewhere on planet Earth?

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Posted in trees | 1 Comment »

Christmas Trees – Rent Now; Plant Later

Friday, November 20th, 2009

Today I received my first client inquiry of the 2009 season asking about Christmas tree recycling programs.

Living Greens for Happy Future Generations

Living Greens for Happy Future Generations

Her question reminded me to check in on various programs that allow you to enjoy a living tree and then recycling it by planting it in a restoration area — and yes, with some programs you return the tree and someone else manages the heavy planting work for you. This can be a fantastic option when you consider that traditional Christmas trees like Noble Firs and Douglas Firs mature much too large for smaller residential landscapes.

Some of these tree-cycling programs provide traditional Firs; others have more eclectic tree offerings based on native trees that are needed in local restoration projects. And, some of these programs encourage you to sponsor a memorial tree or bench or other needed park item instead of bringing a tree into your home. These programs help families and friends create living memorial spaces from the get-go. Read on to learn more about tree programs before you hit the tree lots this year: (more…)

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Posted in trees | 6 Comments »

Thumbs Up to Raking!

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

I’ve been pretty impressed with the number of rakes I’ve seen around the neighborhood this year. On a typical 30 minute dog walk this weekend, I passed several homeowners doing fall clean up.

Crepe Myrtle Leaves Soon to Join the Mulch Pile

Crepe Myrtle Leaves Soon to Join the Mulch Pile

And, not one of them was using a petrol-hungry, pollution spewing blower to clean up fallen leaves. Instead, families and neighbors were raking piles together. Kids were jumping into the piles. And, in a few cases, people were even mounding nutrient-rich fallen leaves on planting beds to protect and enhance beds over the winter. Sure, this might make for some tasty slug habitat, but it’s a simple way to bring a little permaculture to our own gardens.

Seeing all these healthy, happy families reminded me to encourage you to pull out the rake instead of the pollution machine for most — if not all — of your autumn leaves. (more…)

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Posted in Exercise for Gardeners, Garden Maintenance, Gardening, trees | 1 Comment »

Why I’m Happy When My Katsura Turns Brown

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

This morning, looking out the kitchen window at a stunning pink sunrise, my eye was torn between the beauty of said sunrise and the flashing brilliance of my sunshine-yellow Katsura. It reminded me to share this post again, singing the praises of this beautiful and surprisingly fragrant tree, the Katsura.

If you’re interested in adding a Katsura to your garden, keep in mind that they do need supplemental water in the summer, particularly in their early years. They’ll stand up to hot, full sun locations. But, also remember, this is not a small tree. They get big! Often I see them planted in parking strips, too close together, or under power lines. Unfortunately, what may appear to be a small, delicate tree will evolve into a giant in no time. Give these beauties room to stretch out and really show their stuff. (Note: there are cultivars that form wide, but weeping canopies. These won’t get as tall as the species, but they aren’t tiny either.)

The following is from an original post dated October 16, 2008:

Katsura showing Yellow Fall Color

Katsura Yellowing in October

Those of you familiar with the Katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) already know the answer, but until you know this tree’s autumn secret you’re bound to love it anyway. Katsura trees have ruffled heart shape leaves, diverse form, and furrowed grey bark. Their fall color may range from clear yellow to deeper tones of yellow and orange. If you’re really lucky it may even have a strawberry pink tone. But this tree’s most fantastic aspect happens when the leaves finally detatch from the stem and fall to the ground.  Sure, you’re then looking at bare stems for winter and brown piles of leaves to rake up. But did you notice the fragrance of burnt sugar or cotton candy wafting in the air?

The Katsura tree’s final farewell to summer comes in doses of country fair or candy factory fragrance. The brown leaves on the ground, mingling with moist fall soil, fills the air with a spectacular, surprising, sugary treat that I have yet to find in another tree. As much as I adore the astringent scent of rosemary, the dusty aroma of sage and the peanut-buttery goodness of a glorybower, there’s nothing that makes my nose happier than the brown, crunchy leaves from my Katsura.

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Posted in and now for something completely different, seasons, trees | 3 Comments »

Arborist Answers Reader Question About Dying Trees, Lawn and Concrete

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

Laura from Bartlett, Il writes in:

“We have huge evergreens around our house. Recently they have started to brown and look like they are dying. We had this problem at our other house too. We called Chemlawn out and he said it was from our concrete. We had to go out and buy….This is where I forgot. If it was an acid to put in the dirt or an akaline. It was a powder mixed in the soil. It helped and revived our shrub. I think this is what we need again but, I can’t remember what it was we bought. Can you help?”

Bainbridge, WA arborist, Katy Krokower, has the following insights on this question:

Hi Laura,

I’d like to start the answer to your question by gently scolding you for calling a lawn company to address your tree issues. I will step down from the soap box to say that this is not an uncommon reaction, especially when large beloved trees start declining.  People want an answer quickly and often they already have a lawn or landscape care service to ply with their concerns.

An arborist, particularly those who are ISA certified, can better help diagnose tree problems. Unlike most lawn care companies who focus solely on lawn issues (ie, they look down, not up) an arborist not only evaluates a tree from tip to roots but will question you about the trees history, ask about any activity in the surrounding area (including lawn care) and be able to give you a health or vigor assessment of what is going on with the tree at the time of their site visit. Their opinion will be based on more round information than an opinion based solely on one facet of an area affecting your tree.

That said, sometimes the conclusion is that you do have a soil issues that once remedied may help improve the vigor of your trees. If that is the case, a soil test (of which there are a variety of types) can help you determine what nutrients or diseases are present in your soil. However, I’ll say it again: if you don’t start by taking into account the whole picture of how the tree is, improving your soil may not take care of your tree issues.

To find out if there is a qualified certified arborist in your area check the ISA directory . Also, check your yellow pages to see if anyone has a ISA logo. I encourage you to treat your trees like valuable assets and don’t compromise when looking for experienced mature tree care.

Best of luck, Katy

Need help from a Seattle/Bainbridge arborist? Contact Katy here.

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Posted in arboriculture, trees | No Comments »

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