Watch for Garlic Mustard

Early spring is garlic mustard control season- WI DNR:

“Before the spring wildflowers emerge is the ideal time to search out and contain this highly invasive plant. In most woodlots it will be one of the only green plants on the forest floor this early, so it is easy to spot,” says Kelly Kearns, plant conservationist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Kearns says that because just about all forests in Wisconsin are vulnerable to being invaded by this Eurasian transplant, every woodland owner should learn to identify it and search their woods carefully, marking and removing all plants before they go to seed in May and June...

What is at risk from a garlic mustard invasion?
Kearns says that the garlic scented plants can carpet a forest floor, crowding out native wildflowers. Tree and shrub seedlings can also be displaced, preventing long term regeneration of canopy trees and native shrubs. Recent research has shown that chemicals in the roots of garlic mustard can inhibit the mycorrhizal fungi that certain tree roots use to draw nutrients from the soil. It appears that these 2- to 3-foot tall plants have the ability to stunt the growth of trees that tower over them. MORE on Garlic Mustard

Local Spring Plant Sales

GROW's (Giving Real Opportunities to Women) Annual Plant and Bulb Sale
Saturday, May 3rd, from 8:00am - 4:00pm
270 Country Commons Rd in Trout Valley
They will be selling plants and bulbs donated by local growers and more.
GROW helps at risk mothers and families by providing education opportunities and affordable childcare.

The Wildflower Preservation & Propagation Committee Native Plant Sale 2008
Sunday, May 4th 12:00 - 3:00 pm
McHenry County College Cafeteria 8900 U.S. Highway 14 Crystal Lake, IL 60012
They will be selling prairie plants and grasses, woodland species, organic heirloom garden vegetables and herbs, and Native trees.
WPPC is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting native species through preservation, propagation, and education.

It's Not Easy Greening New York

Here is a story from the New York Times about the difficult job urban foresters have in greening the urban landscape while facing resistance from residents.

For Urban Tree Planters, Concrete Is the Easy Part - New York Times:

Arthur Simpson, a professional forester, always thought that everyone likes a tree.

Then he moved to New York.

Bringing Back Native Wild Bees

Humming Praises for the Wild Bee- New York Times:

The bumblebee and other native wild bees are all the more important in the garden now that the population of honeybees is in such decline — down to 2.4 million colonies last year from 5.5 million in 1945, according to the Department of Agriculture, due mainly, scientists say, to mites infesting the hives and, lately, to a mysterious epidemic called colony collapse disorder....

...But native bees are on the decline too and we need to encourage them, now that there are fewer honeybees.... MORE

Also see our article from the Archives...

MARKETING ‘SCENTS’ Why Flowers Make Scents - The Green Buzz:

Bees (and a few other insect groups) provide a useful and free service to us although it is mostly unseen. In exchange for a little pollen and nectar and some small space for nesting, bees pollinate the flowers of many of our ornamental, and edible plants.

To some plants, bees are an absolute necessity, but bees, wild and domestic, are disappearing at alarming rates, because of habitat loss, pesticide poisoning, and exotic pests and diseases. The Green Industry can do its part to ensure we do not lose these important pollinators, by reducing pesticide use and designing bee-friendly plants into landscapes.... MORE

Best Management Practices for Urban Forestry

Alliance for Community Trees: Developing and Managing an Urban Forestry Program for Public Works

Washington, DC (February 1, 2008)- The American Public Works Association received a grant from the U.S. Forest Service to develop a series of best management practices on effective urban forestry management. Teaming up with the Society of Municipal Arborists and Davey Resource Group, American Public Works Association developed this project to strengthen communications between urban foresters and public works professionals by creating a series of reports and conducting an education campaign on urban forestry management... MORE

No More Asian Longhorned Beetle

USDA AND ITS PARTNERS DECLARE VICTORY OVER THE ASIAN LONGHORNED BEETLE:

CHICAGO, April 17, 2008 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the City of Chicago today announced the official eradication of the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) from Illinois. The event was held in the Ravenswood, Chicago neighborhood where the pest was found almost 10 years ago. This makes Illinois the first state fighting active ALB infestations to declare victory over the invasive insect.... MORE

EAB: Detection and Control

From IL Dept of Ag: Purple Traps Become Focus Of Detection Strategy For Emerald Ash Borer

The Illinois Dept of Ag., with APHIS, will be using purple traps in Illinois to monitor EAB. The 2,700 traps will be placed in a 100-mile arc across central and northwestern Illinois. More traps will be placed around the Chicagoland area and in southern Illinois at high risk sites. Traps will not EAB to the area, but will trap the beetle if they are present in the area.

The regulatory process for a product called Tree-age(emamectin benzoate) is underway in Illinois, but it is not yet available for use. For more prevention and control information, see the Emerald Ash Borer Insecticidal Management factsheet from U of IL Extension

The Many Uses of River Birch

As with many Native trees, people have found uses for all parts of the River Birch. Birch trees have been tapped for syrup, and the sap can also be fermented to make birch beer or vinegar. In the past the buds were used to make a salve, the leaves were used to treat dysentery, and the bark was used to treat other stomach issues.

Birch wood is light but strong and hard, and can be used for furniture, baskets, and other small-scale woodworking, but its multi-stemmed nature usually lends it too knotty for commercial use. It has also been used for pulpwood, with other bottomland trees. Small branches were used to make whisk brooms.

Learn more about the many uses of River Birch in our article this month 'River Birch- A Noteworthy Native'.

GreenTech- April Report

I think we can now safely say (knock on wood) that the ‘winter that never ends’ is behind us. We had ups and downs in temperature, heavy snowfall and lots of moisture. In Springs past we talked about frost cracking, sunscald, and problems from drought and not enough snow cover. What will we see this year?

Broken Branches and Dieback
Hardy plants can survive the cold if hardened off, but the risk comes when warm weather tricks them out of dormancy only to be blasted by more cold. Borderline hardy and non-native plants may have some dieback from the extreme weather. You will also see a lot of broken branches from the heavy snow and ice. After assessing what is dead or alive, clean up the damaged plants with pruning, and spring will fill in new growth.

Mice, Rabbit, and Deer Damage
With everything covered in snow, the deer and rodents were out searching for food, and they found tasty woody treats. You may see damage higher up than normal because of the amount of snow that accumulated. Watch out for girdling damage.

Salt Injury from Road Salt
With the amount of salt that was required to keep roads and sidewalks safe, there may be more salt injury this Spring. You will see symptoms that look like damage to the roots or drought injury. Salt from our early spring snowstorms can cause the most injury because the plants are thinking about waking up soon (Due to salt shortages this year, though, there may have been less applied later in the season).

• Chlorosis, early leaf coloration, scorch, dieback: salt accumulates in the soil and absorbs available water causing drought injury
• Marginal Leaf Scorch, Scorched or Dead Needles: chlorine from dissolved salt taken up by the roots
• Poor Drainage: soil high in salt is more easily compacted,
• Potassium deficiency: salt impedes the uptake of magnesium and potassium
• Bud damage and dieback: from salt spray
• Reduced vigor: more susceptible to pests and diseases over the year

What you can do: Flush the exposed area with water to leach out some of the salt. You may even want to remove the soil and replace it with fresh soil. Also, plant species that tolerate soil salt and salt spray along roads and sidewalks. In higher speed traffic areas, salt spray can travel over a quarter of a mile.

Road Salt: A problem for landscape plants and also the environment, but still the safest and easiest option for snow and ice in our region.

With the shortages of salt and corresponding price increases, people are looking at other options. Some areas of the Midwest experimenting with Beet juice, which helps salt work better at lower temperatures. This reduces the amount of salt needed (as much as 30% in some cases), which is better for the environment and saves money spent on road salt. Right now the beet juice does cost more than salt though.

The Amazing Power of the Beet (Kent, Ohio)

Beet Juice on Wisconsin Roads
Beloit, WI has used Beet juice for seven years
Dane County, WI has been experimenting with it this winter
Madison, WI also is interested in trying it

Beet Juice on Illinois Roads
Communities in the Chicago area are trying the beet-juice mixture
Local rivers and lakes have seen an increase in chloride levels each year.
The IL-DOT tried it but has stopped because of costs.

-Mary T. McClelland- GreenTech

OUR GREEN TECH TEAM
If you have a concern about plant needs, pests, siting or general plant health, we can help. We offer a site-visit service for any questions about how our plants are doing in their new location.
We provide Green Tech service at no charge. To make an appointment give us a call or fill out the online form for more information.

April: The Greenest Month

Arbor Day
When: Celebrated the last Friday in April (IL and WI)

History: J. Sterling Morton and his wife moved from Michigan to the Nebraska prairies in the 1840s. They found the state barren and treeless and began planting trees on their property. Through his position of editor at a local newspaper, Morton encouraged others to plant trees. When he became Secretary of the Nebraska Territory, he proposed April 10th as a tree planting holiday.

The first Arbor Day was celebrated on April 10th, 1872, with prizes awarded for the most trees properly planted (suggested by Morton). This inspired plantings of over a million trees, and changed the landscape of Nebraska.

Later, Arbor Day was declared a legal holiday in Nebraska, and the date was changed to April 22nd in honor of J. Sterling Morton's birthday.

Today: The official Arbor Day is celebrated worldwide, usually on the last Friday of April, but dates vary for states with different growing seasons.

How to Celebrate:
Illinois

• Morton Arboretum- April 25–Free admission for all visitors this day only, April 25–27—special activities including tree planting, annual Plant Sale, and hands-on tree-discovery activities.
  

Wisconsin

• Aldo Leopold Nature Center- April 16th, 2008 1-4pm (Registration Required)
• Whitnall park, Boerner Botanical Gardens April 19-20
  

Earth Day

When: Celebrated every year on April 22nd

History: Earth Day was inspired by Arbor Day. Activities in 1970 were expanded from planting trees to educating the public on the importance of protecting the environment as a whole. Earth Day on April 22, 1970 was celebrated mostly by students, but it gave a boost to the environmental movement. Earth Day was observed again in 1990 at Earthfest in Washington D.C. People of all ages gathered for environmental themed music, information and inspiration.

Today: Earth Day is not a federal holiday, but is celebrated every year by many Americans who recognize the need to protect the environment.

How to Celebrate:
Chicago Botanic Garden- April 26: Earth Day Walk in McDonald Woods
Prairieview Education Center, McHenry County Conservation District, With McHenry County Defenders- April 19

Other Green April Celebrations

• National Garden Month
• Keep America Beautiful Month
• International Plant Appreciation Day- April 13
• National Landscape Architecture Month (ASLA)
• Frederick Law Olmsted's Birthday - April 26

Encouraging Locally Grown Landscape Plants

Northwest Herald - Spangenberg: Buy local for your landscape:

There is an advantage to buying plants from local nurseries.

Locally grown plants tolerate Northern Illinois’ weather and soil conditions. They also support animals, birds and human habitat. They need less pampering, less water and less fertilizer. Also, you are supporting local farmers who are more likely able to keep the land green instead of turning it over to developers.

The Ornamental Growers Association of Northern Illinois was founded in the early 1940s to produce quality nursery stock, hardy and well-acclimated to Midwest and northern U.S. soils and climates. Twenty-two OGA nurseries grow landscape plants on more than 6,000 acres. A comprehensive plant listing of member nurseries’ inventory is published for the landscape and garden trades at www.ogaoni.com.

The Chicagoland Grows plant introduction program is a partnership between the OGA, Chicago Botanic Garden and the Morton Arboretum. Program goals are to develop and introduce to the landscape industry a variety of groundcovers, perennials, trees and shrubs specifically recommended for northern climates. Breeding programs develop new cultivars that exhibit excellent hardiness and ornamental characteristics. Visit www.chicagolandgrows.org and www.mortonarb.org.

When seeking landscape plants, how do you know where they originated? Ask your landscaper or garden center. I planted a Chicagoland Grows Buxus Glencoe boxwood hedge in my backyard more than 10 years ago. The hedge has withstood drought, heat, bitter cold, snow and ice and continues to thrive and maintain outstanding ornamental quality the entire time. The same holds true for an arrowwood viburnum introduction called Autumn Jazz planted about the same time.

Always research plants before purchasing and look for locally grown stock that will stand the test of time.

• Send questions to Bruce Spangenberg, c/o the Features Department, NorthWest News Group, P.O. Box 250, Crystal Lake, IL 60039-0250.

From GMPRO - "Global warming may generate weeds"

GMPRO GreEn-MAIL - 04-01-08: "Global warming may generate weeds"

"A major characteristic of global warming is an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Rising carbon dioxide levels have been shown to help vegetable and grain crops grow more quickly, become more drought-resistant and produce potentially higher yields. Rising carbon dioxide is also having an impact on the growth of weeds. A study by USDA's ARS plant physiologist Lewis Ziska showed that weeds grown under warmer urban conditions and more carbon dioxide grew 4 times taller than those in a rural plot 40 miles outside city conditions. Common ragweed plants exposed to higher levels of carbon dioxide dramatically increased the amount of pollen produced. Additional work by Ziska suggests that increases in carbon dioxide may have led to bigger poison ivy plants with a more virulent form of the oil that causes people to break out."

Publications from 2007:

• Empirical selection of cultivated oat in response to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide
• Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide and potential impacts on the growth and toxicity of poison ivy
• Predicting the impact of changing CO2 on crop yields: some thoughts on food.
• Establishment and persistence of common ragweed in disturbed soil as a function of an urban rural macro environment