Newly Published Research on the Urban Forest
Kealia, HI (March 1, 2008)- This book, Engaging Uninvolved Communities in Urban Forestry: It's About More Than Trees, rich with colorful photographs and vivid case studies, takes you to inspiring urban greening projects across the nation. Though the settings and social issues at the project sites vary they have one thing in common: urban greening was used as a catalyst to improve living situations... MORE
Purchase this book
Q:
“One of my clients called to tell me the Pagoda Dogwood planted last year have orange branches and some dead branches. They said they thought they watered them enough. What can we do?”
prone to canker if stressed. Canker can spread through the plant, so you will want to remove and dispose of the infected branches. Prune well below the yellow tissue, down to the base or collar of the branch. Be sure to disinfect the pruners between cuts to avoid spreading the disease. A ten percent bleach solution is an effective and economical sterilant for tools.
Kane County destroying 100 trees infested with ash borer
Crews target infested site in preserve near Wasco
By William Presecky- Chicago Tribune
March 13, 2008
"Work crews with the Kane County Forest Preserve District this week began cutting and burning dozens of trees infested with the voracious emerald ash borer, a tree-killing insect plaguing much of the Chicago region.
Removal of the 100 ash trees, concentrated near the entrance to Campton Forest Preserve on Town Hall Road south of Wasco, is expected to be completed by Friday, said Drew Ullberg, the district's director of natural resources..."
"In order to detect and monitor the possible spread of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), the Village of Lombard has revised its trees and shrubs ordinance to include a no-cost permitting process for the removal of trees on private property.While the borer has not yet been found in Lombard, the village's forestry division has kept a vigilant watch on the green and white ash trees within the village..."
"Village trustees are considering a measure that would give Tinley Park police the power to regulate how firewood is transported in and out of the village. Tinley Park also might apply for federal money to help restock its tree supplies if the village removes dozens of sick trees, among other things, public works director Dale Schepers said.
The ordinance, which the village will consider during the next 30 days, also would allow Tinley Park to remove any infected trees on private properties, such as the trees in your back yard..."
Do you ever get this question from homeowners?
From the NYTimes Garden Q&A Today: Juniper Berries? Be Picky
Also see our article about plants we grow that actually are edible 'Landscaping Not Just For the Birds'"Q. The juniper tree beside my new house in Columbia County, N.Y., is loaded with blue berries. When is the best time to harvest them?
A. Possibly never. Of the roughly 40 species of juniper, a small number are poisonous and a majority have bitter fruits. Only a few yield edible berries (actually modified cones) and only one is routinely used for flavoring.
The flavoring juniper, best known for its contribution to gin, is common juniper, Juniperus communis. It occurs naturally in Asia, Europe and North America, and it is the parent of dozens of popular ornamental varieties..."
Global Warming Rushes Timing of Spring
By SETH BORENSTEIN
"The fingerprints of man-made climate change are evident in seasonal timing changes for thousands of species on Earth, according to dozens of studies and last year's authoritative report by the Nobel Prize-winning international climate scientists. More than 30 scientists told The Associated Press how global warming is affecting plants and animals at springtime across the country, in nearly every state."The National Phenology Network at the U.S. Geological Survey is monitoring these changes which will have countless direct and indirect affects on plants, insects, birds, animals, and humans, from food supplies to allergies.
Carbon Output Must Near Zero To Avert Danger, New Studies Say
The Washington Post March 13, 2008 By Juliet Eilperin
"The task of cutting greenhouse gas emissions enough to avert a dangerous rise in global temperatures may be far more difficult than previous research suggested, say scientists who have just published studies indicating that it would require the world to cease carbon emissions altogether within a matter of decades.
Their findings, published in separate journals over the past few weeks, suggest that both industrialized and developing nations must wean themselves off fossil fuels by as early as mid-century in order to prevent warming that could change precipitation patterns and dry up sources of water worldwide.
Using advanced computer models to factor in deep-sea warming and other aspects of the carbon cycle that naturally creates and removes carbon dioxide (CO2), the scientists, from countries including the United States, Canada and Germany, are delivering a simple message: The world must bring carbon emissions down to near zero to keep temperatures from rising further." MORE
An article published in the March 2008 issue of BioScience, Will Global Warming Increase Plant Frost Damage? analyzed the sudden freeze of Spring 2007 after unusually warm weather, whic damaged many plants in the Eastern US.
"Rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide are believed to reduce the ability of some plants to withstand freezing, and the authors of the BioScience study suggest that global warming could lead to more freeze and thaw fluctuations in future winters. This pattern is potentially dangerous for plants because many species must acclimate to cold over a sustained period. Acclimation enables them to better withstand freezes, but unusual warmth early in the year prevents the process. A cold spring in 1996, in contrast to the 2007 event, caused little enduring damage because it was not preceded by unusual warmth."from BioScience Press Releases
Lisa Haderlein of The Land Conservancy gave this presentation on Project Quercus at the Natural Landscaping Seminar held at McHenry County College in February.
See the video online here
or watch for 'Project Quercus: The Third Generation Oaks'
Airing March 17th 8:30pm on GreenScreen (Comcast Public Access Channel 17)
Senate Bill 2120, introduced by Senator Pankau, states that a utility can cut down any tree planted under utility lines after a certain date.
The Illinois Municipal League opposes this bill and testified the legislation does not clearly define what is considered 'under a utility line', how the utilities will know when the tree was planted, and why they are prohibiting all trees when there are species with mature heights that are below utility lines. There is a meeting scheduled to address these concerns.
University of WI Longenecker Gardens Arboretum displays over 2,000 plants over 50-acres, is the premier collection of woody plants in Wisconsin, and is recognized internationally. The Gardens hold one of the most up-to-date flowering crabapple collections in the country. They even have one of our very own, May's Delight!
Events this Spring Highlighting Crabapples:
Magnolias and Other Early Bloomers TourFor our Crabapple Preview, see our article 'More Than Just a Pretty Face - Behind the Bountiful Blooms of Flowering Crabapples'
Wednesday, May 7, 7–8:15 pm
Enjoy earlier-blooming species of many types, notably the Garden’s spectacular collection of Asian and hybrid magnolias, and the first of the flowering crabapples. Laura Jull, UW-Madison professor of horticulture, will examine these and other plants particularly suitable for home landscapes.
Talk to the Naturalist in Longenecker Gardens
Sunday, May 11, 1–3 pm
Arboretum naturalist Ken Wood will be in the Arboretum’s Longenecker Gardens to help visitors learn about the trees and shrubs in bloom, which should include lilacs and crabapples.
Flowering Crabapples Tour
Wednesday, May 14, 7 pm – 8:15 pm
Emeritus Professor of Horticulture Ed Hasselkus, curator of the Longenecker Gardens, will concentrate on the Arboretum’s excellent collection of flowering crabapples, and present highlights in the Garden’s large lilac collection.
Doug Tallamy, chairman of the department of entomology and wildlife ecology at the University of Delaware published a book late last year “Bringing Nature Home-How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens”. This book is a map of the food chain in our backyards, with lists of plants by region and the wild things that eat them. He focuses on the relationship between insects and native plants, which are important food sources for birds and other
wildlife.
Some info from the book:
"They are struggling to plant the native species that are needed for insects and animals to flourish. As exotic ornamentals leap the garden fence and out-compete the native plants, many creatures are starving to death because they did not evolve with the exotics and simply can’t eat them...
...You don’t have to cut down the lilacs, but they are doing nothing for the insects and birds. “It’s as if they were plastic,” Mr. Tallamy said. “They’re not hurting anything, except that they’re taking space away from something that could be productive.”
Beyond Showerheads and Sprinklers: Water Governance Solutions for Illinois
May 16 8:00 am–3:30 pm
at the Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago
"Demand for water in Illinois is growing, but supply is not. A gubernatorial order called for the creation of a statewide framework for regional water supply planning. What will that framework be? How will it function? How can it protect our water resources and meet our needs? Participate in this conference, and help set the direction for water supply governance in Illinois."
HortAnswers is a new website by the University of Illinois Extension that provides basic information about plants and their pests and diseases for Zones 4-6. You can search by plant, pest/disease, or problem.
US News and World Report lists 31 careers that have "strong outlooks and high job satisfaction".
