Preserve Older Trees
Click the image for tips on caring for mature trees.
Bad Bug Alert!
TSAA Syllabus 2020, Updated Jan. 15, 2020
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Here’s How to Help Your Sickly Oak Trees
The following guidance was developed by Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church urban foresters with participation by Tree Stewards of Arlington and Alexandria and Arlington Regional Master Naturalists.
Posted in Tree Care
Tagged damage, drought, mulch, Oak decline, Pests, research, sample testing, storms, stress, water, wood chips
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30 More Trees Planted at Polk Elementary School
Fifty-four volunteers spent Indigenous Peoples Day planting 30 more native trees at Alexandria’s James K. Polk Elementary School, completing the second of three efforts to add 100 new trees to the school grounds.
Volunteers from Tree Stewards of Arlington and Alexandria worked alongside teachers from the school, whose colleague Steve Neeley headed up the effort by educators. Other volunteers included a large contingent from Northern Virginia Volkswagen operations and several people from the Alexandria community who had been recruited by Tree Steward Bonnie Petry.
Petry and Tree Stewards Lynn Gas and Jane Seward sparked the tree-planting plan more than a year ago, engaging Neeley from the school and Alexandria natural resources officials Bob Williams and Rod Simmons plus city arborist John Marlin. The first 33 trees were planted by volunteers in April and are thriving despite the recent drought because they were watered during the growing season. Without additional rain, watering will need to continue for all the new trees until the ground freezes and resume next spring.
Former mayor Allison Silberberg greeted the volunteers to thank them for helping Alexandria move toward her goal of increasing the city’s tree canopy. She and Tree Steward Jo Allen took pictures, and here are some of their views of the day.
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Posted in Alexandria Tree Canopy
Tagged Allison Silberberg, Bob Williams, Bonnie Petry, Jane Seward, John Marlin, Lynn Gas, native trees, Polk Elementary School, Rod Simmons, Steve Neeley, teachers, Volkswagen, Volunteers
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Four Mile Run Park Gets 50 New Trees
Alexandria’s 60-acre Four Mile Run Park has 50 new trees planted Friday, Oct. 4, by Intus Windows staff and clients—plus the Lithuanian ambassador to the United States—with inspiration and mentoring by Tree Stewards of Arlington and Alexandria.
Intus, which makes energy-efficient windows and doors, launched a “One Window One Tree” campaign In 2018 to take action to combat climate change. The company, which has a local office in the Merrifield area of Fairfax County, has a factory in Lithuania, and its two U.S. CEOs are Lithuanian. So it was only natural that Ambassador Rolandas Kriščiūnas would turn out not just for opening remarks but also to plant trees.
Alexandria officials on hand were Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, City Council members Del Pepper and Mo Seifeldein, and former mayor Allison Silberberg, who spurred city tree planting when in office and has supported Tree Stewards and Intus at previous plantings.
Intus brought more than 50 employees and 10 clients to the park and installed the 50 trees within 90 minutes. Tree Steward Bonnie Petry organized the planting and logistics with help from city natural resources staff members Bob Williams and Rod Simmons, arborist John Marlin and auger-runner Dion Bates. Because of the extended drought, some of the planting holes were opened with a massive auger. The Intus crew used pick-mattocks and shovels to dig the remaining holes in the parched soil.
Petry has long championed adding more trees in the heavily used park, where she and other Tree Stewards have planted trees at least three times in recent years. She worked to have the city buy the trees and approve the planting. Petry and nine other veteran Tree Steward volunteers supervised the planters, and seven of the current class of 30 Tree Steward trainees helped with logistics early in the day.
Here are some views of the day from photographer Travis Morgan.
Posted in Alexandria Tree Canopy
Tagged #INTUSWindows, Allison Silberberg, Bob Williams, Bonnie Petry, Del Pepper, Dion Bates, Four Mile Run Park, Lithuanian Ambassador to the United States Rolandas Kriščiūnas, Mo Seifeldein, One Window One Tree, Rod Simmons, trainees, veterans, Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, Volunteers
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Volunteer Training Begins
They were early arriving, eager to learn how to become trained volunteers with Tree Stewards of Arlington and Alexandria. Five interns who began classes last winter joined 25 new students to fill the training room at Fairlington Community Center on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Through this fall, part of winter and into next spring, they will learn what trees need to be the life-giving oxygen generators that will help mitigate some of the effects of climate change.
Lesson One was an overview of tree anatomy delivered by Lara Johnson of the Virginia Department of Forestry. Among the surprises: The heartwood of a tree is dead and dark with toxins. The coloration is what makes a walnut table darker than maple. Only the bark and cambium are alive, so watch those weed whackers, and don’t carve your initials on a tree. Damage to the bark can allow diseases and destructive insects to enter, sicken the tree and possibly kill it.
Cambium contains two highways that feed the tree. Xylem moves water and soil nutrients skyward to the top of the tree, where leaves use those and sunlight to produce sugars during photosynthesis. Phloem transports the sugars low underground to the tree’s roots, which are far more extensive than might be imagined, extending two or three times the width of the tree canopy, or drip line. (See Rooting Around.)
Tree anatomy is significantly more complicated, and Johnson said trainees will learn about that in future classes.
Next up: Dan Schwartz of the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District describes urban soils and their impact on trees. Slide deck presentations can be found under the Training Materials tab.
Posted in New Training Class, Training
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Planting at the Casey Trees Farm
Six Tree Stewards of Arlington and Alexandria transplanted dozens of trees Saturday at the 75-acre Casey Trees Farm near Berryville, Virginia. The farm grows trees primarily for use in helping the District of Columbia achieve 40 percent tree canopy by 2032.
The Tree Stewards were among 28 volunteers helping to plant a huge new field with many species of trees. Crews at the non-profit’s farm had used augers to dig large, shallow holes and line them with root bags. Volunteers and staff removed loose soil from the root bags and placed young saplings into the holes after scuffing up the roots and making sure the root flare was at the right height. Then they added soil, tamping it down to eliminate air pockets, and moving on to the next root bag.
Among the species planted were witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), pawpaw (Asimia triloba), several varieties of oaks, maples, and evergreens. Tree Steward volunteers were Andrew Benjamin, Steve Campbell, Catherine Harris, Bonnie Petry, Pattee Ryan and Jo Allen.
Posted in Casey Trees, Community Service, Future, Planting, Re-Tree, Volunteer
Tagged Bonnie Petry, Casey Trees Farm, Catherine Harris, Pattee Ryan, Volunteers
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Wait List only for Training Class
At this time, we are full for the Fall Class. There may be drop outs and if you wish to be wait listed, we will notify you of any openings before class begins. Applicants will also be considered to start in the Winter module in January 2020.
To be Wait Listed apply at http://bit.ly/ApplicationTS
Fall Module on Planting, Tree Anatomy and Tree ID
Tuesdays, Sept. 24, Oct. 1, Oct. 22 7 – 8:45 PM and
Outdoor Tree Planting Oct. 4, 14, 19 (choose 2)
Outdoor Tree ID Walks Oct. 12 and November TBD
Once accepted, you are eligible to attend Winter Module in January on pruning, Early Spring Module in March on caring for trees, and Late Spring Module in April on education & outreach at no additional charge. Specific dates will be announced by November.
Who are the TreeStewards?
TreeStewards are volunteers dedicated to improving the health of our urban trees through educational programs, tree planting and tree maintenance throughout the community.
We work with the arborist staff of Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church to provide tree care in public spaces, assist in planting trees, and notifying staff of tree problems. We provide education through our Tree Information Tables at farmers’ markets and libraries, Earth Day events, plant sales, and other neighborhood events. As concerned citizens, we advocate to protect our urban tree canopy.
What is a Volunteer Training Program?
The Volunteer Training
Program is designed to prepare participants for volunteer service to the
community. Through classroom training
and hands-on practice, Tree Stewards learn the basics of tree biology and
physiology, tree identification, planting and maintenance techniques, construction
impacts on trees, pruning and selecting the right tree for the right spot.
What are Volunteer Service Hours?
Each trainee makes a commitment to improving and protecting their community forest through 30 hours of volunteer service during the next year. Opportunities for volunteering are provided or you may arrange to care for trees through greens committees at your place of worship, HOA, condo, school, etc.
Application Information
Class is limited and preference will be given to those who have a desire to serve the community and a commitment to volunteer service. A $120 fee will cover the cost of the four modules and all handout materials. Scholarships available, especially school and local government staff – No one turned away for inability to pay. Please request on application form.
To be Wait Listed or for Winter 2020 Class apply at http://bit.ly/ApplicationTS
Posted in Training
Tagged 2019 training, class 2019 Join us, training
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Economics
Western MD Paper Mill Closes
When a paper mill closes, the impact is felt by more than its jobless employees. Forest owners and loggers also are scrambling to find feasible outlets for their products, including those grown in Virginia. Here’s the story.
Posted in Paper mill
Tagged Allegany County, The Delmarva Farmer, Verso Corp.
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Misperceptions
A Poll Reveals Dunderheads
Is that reference to Dunder Mifflin, the make-believe paper company in the sitcom “The Office,” too subtle? A recent poll of Americans and Canadians shows a knowledge gap when it comes to working forests, wood and paper products. Don’t be a dunderhead: Check out what your fellow Americans got wrong about trees here.
Cool
Wood Engineered at UMD Saves AC Costs
It’s lighter than steel but nearly as strong. It comes from trees but is blindingly white. Outdoors, it stays 12 degrees cooler than the ambient temperature. Does anyone see a market for this as Earth heats up unbearably? Check out the short article and video here.
Posted in Wood
Tagged cellulose, compress, heat reflective, lignin, Michelin, peroxide, Robert Dalheim, sticky tape, University of Delaweare, University of Maryland, University pf Colorado, wood products
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