News and Blog Articles
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News and Blog Articles
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Taxodium distichum, more commonly known as the bald cypress, is a native staple to the deep South. These classic, pyramidal trees with the wide, buttressed bases are often found clustered together in large stands along coastal areas, bayous, marshes, and swamps. With their imposing limbs and wide trunks often draped with Spanish moss, they make for a haunting image – and for good reason! Bald cypress trees in the wild often grow well over 100 feet tall with trunks over 6 feet wide. The species is one of the oldest living in the world, with most mature trees well into their hundreds. These towering behemoths are perhaps best-known for the conical “cypress knees” (scientifically called pneumatophores) they grow in wet conditions. There’s plenty of speculation as to the function of these nodules that spring up from the roots, but science hasn’t yet identified any one definite purpose. One common theory is that these protrusions provide structural stability in waterlogged swamplands. Another theory purports that they might help channel oxygen to the root system. Though native to the wetlands, bald cypress trees actually grow quite successfully in more urban settings, easily adapting to both wet and dry conditions. A highly tolerant species, they can adjust to most any soil type and are generally unbothered by air pollution and short flooding. Thanks to their low-maintenance lifespan and quick growth rate of 1 to 2 feet a year, bald cypresses are a popular landscaping choice for street trees and parking lot fixtures. This flexibility also allows them to be grown by homeowners, where they offer lightly dappled shade. The only upkeep is the occasional pruning of dead, dying, or damaged limbs. You’ll also want to ensure full-sun exposure, or about 6 hours of direct sunlight each day – not hard to do in the South! If you do decide to add one of these beauties to your yard, it’s important to remember their massive size when picking a place to plant. Though they definitely won’t reach into the 100s of feet like they would naturally, domestically-grown bald cypresses still manage impressive heights of 50 to 70 feet, with a crown spread of up to 25 feet at maturity. The bald cypress is a conifer, or cone-bearing, species with needles for foliage rather than leaves. These needles grow in pairs along slender branches and can vary in color, straying to the yellow-green end of the spectrum in spring and changing to reddish- and orangish-browns in the fall. As one of only five deciduous conifer species, bald cypresses shed their needles in the fall. But don’t worry – their gray-brown bark exfoliates in long vertical strips, giving those bare trunks an attractive mottled appearance. This loss of needles is popularly assumed to be the origin of the common name. They go bald in the fall, hence “bald cypress.” Despite this theory, there is no historical record indicating where the name came from. The cones of the bald cypress are much smaller than the pinecones you’re used to seeing, and are generally only about an inch in length. They start out green in the summer, and then fade to brown before they fall, where local wildlife eats the tiny triangular seeds they house. AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.
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Last week, we talked about the UGA Campus Arboretum. An arboretum is a botanical garden that predominantly features trees. The UGA Campus Arboretum, as the name suggests, includes the entire UGA campus. Basically, all the trees and plants on campus are part of the Arboretum! There are certain trees that receive a little special treatment, however. Trees of historic, local, and botanical value, as well as a few stately specimens are identified with small black plaques that denote their species with the UGA Campus Arboretum logo. If you’re looking to seek out these special trees, you can do so by following one of the many Arboretum tours. This week, we’ll be going through the North Campus Tour, which features 24 trees. North Campus is the most historic section of UGA’s campus, and includes landmarks such as The Arch and the Holmes-Hunter Academic Building. To start, here’s what the route looks like: You can visit these trees in any order you want, really, but here’s the Arboretum’s suggestion: 1. Red Bay - Persea palustrisThe first stop on this tour is a large, multi-trunked Red Bay located just behind and to the left of The Arch (facing towards campus and the Holmes-Hunter Academic Building). This Red Bay was planted here specifically to commemorate the Ancient Egyptian tradition of planting persea trees at the entrance of their educational institutions. The Arch represents the entrance to the University, and so, Persea palustris was planted. 2. Red Maple - Acer rubrumKnown for their brilliant fall foliage, Red Maples are one of the most common hardwoods in North America. Check out our Tree of the Month article to learn more about Red Maples! 3. American Elm - Ulmus americanaAmerican Elms were once used as “meeting trees” to designate gathering spots by the Native Americans, and then later by the Sons of Liberty in the American Revolution. 4. Winged Elm - Ulmus alataWinged Elms get their name from the cork-like “wings” that form along branchlets. 5. Cryptomeria - Cryptomeria japonicaThis large evergreen conifer is viewed as sacred and often planted around temples and shrines in its native Japan, where it is the national tree. 6. Green Ash - Fraxinus pennsylvanicaThis native species is the most widely distributed across North America, and its high volume of seeds every year are an important food source for local wildlife. 7. American Basswood - Tilia americanaThe American Basswood is especially popular with bees, and lends a distinctive flavor to honey produced from its flowers, called basswood honey. 8. Flowering Dogwood - Cornus floridaA “four-season” tree, the Flowering Dogwood is known for its spectacular pink and white flowers in spring, its bright red berries in the fall, followed by a brilliant red fall foliage display. The mottled bark is also attractive when the tree is bare during winter months. 9. Black Oak - Quercus veluntinaThe common Black Oak prefers to grow on slopes, making it a good choice for erosion prevention. This particular tree grows the largest leaves of any oak on UGA’s campus! 10. Hearts of Gold Redbud - Cercis canadensisWith its pretty pink flowers and smaller stature, this decorative tree is a perfect addition to any landscape. The Hearts of Gold Redbud is also the state tree of Oklahoma. 11. White Oak - Quercus albaWhite Oaks are another wide-spread species in the eastern US, and are known for their hardiness against a range of climates and even wildfires. Check out our Tree of the Month article to learn more about White Oaks! 12. Pin Oak - Quercus palustrisThe branches of the Pin Oak are often described as pin-like, which is where this native, flood-tolerant species gets its name. 13. Nellie R. Stevens Holly - Ilex x 'Nellie R. Stevens'This hybrid species is named after Nellie Robinson Stevens, who pilfered a few pollinated English holly berries, only to have bees cross-pollinate them with a Chinese holly in a chance encounter that created an entirely new species! Check out our Tree of the Month article to learn more about Nellie R Stevens Hollies! 14. River Birch - Betula nigraRiver Birches are characterized by their “exfoliating” bark, which peels off in delicate, papery curls and leaves behind a mottled color pattern. Check out our Tree of the Month article to learn more about River Birches! 15. Chaste Tree - Vitex agnus-castusNative to Mediterranean regions of Europe and Asia, this ornamental tree features delicate foliage and lilac summer flowers that are especially attractive to butterflies. 16. Deodar Cedar - Cedrus deodaraNicknamed “the wood of the gods,” the Deodar Cedar is the national tree of Pakistan, and is native to the Himalayas and northern Africa, where it is considered sacred and often worshipped. 17. Kwanzan Cherry - Prunus serrulataA cultivar of the ornamental cherry tree, the Kwanzan Cherry was gifted to the United States by Japan in 1912. It gained popularity after being displayed at Washington DC’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival. 18. Ginkgo - Ginkgo bilobaThe Ginkgo, also known as the “fossil tree,” is the sole survivor of the Ginkgo genus. 19. Willow Oak - Quercus phellosThanks to their adaptability, Willow Oaks are a popular choice for landscapers and homeowners alike. Check out our Tree of the Month article to learn more about Willow Oaks! 20. Saucer Magnolia - Magnolia x soulangeanaA cross between Magnolia denudate and Magnolia liliiflora, the Saucer Magnolia is one of the most important magnolias in horticulture. These valued ornamental trees are loved for their large pinkish-white blooms with vibrant pink and purple stripes on their underside. 21. Japanese Maple - Acer palmatumJapanese Maples have a range of natural genetic divergences, and have also been cultivated into many different cultivars, leading to a wide array of distinct variations. 22. Robert Toombs OakThis stop doesn’t actually include a tree. Instead, it features a plaque that details the legend of the Robert Toombs Oak. In 1828, Robert Toombs gave a speech under a great oak tree. The speech was so eloquent and powerful that the entire commencement audience came out of the Chapel to listen. Upon the hour of his death years later, the same oak was supposedly struck by lightning. The charred remains of that tree are what is now called Toombs Oak. 23. Oglethorpe Oak - Quercus oglethorpensisThe Oglethorpe Oak is a rare species, currently classified as endangered, that was discovered in Oglethorpe County. Its name is meant to honor both the county and James Oglethorpe himself, the man who founded Georgia. 24. Kousa Dogwood - Cornus kousaNative to Japan, Korea, and China, the Kousa Dogwood is very similar to the US-native Flowering Dogwoods. It can be identified by the more pointed petals and attractive exfoliating bark. There you have it! The North Campus Tour. Stay tuned next week as we go through everything the Central Campus Tour has to offer! AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio. If you’ve ever been on UGA’s campus, then you’ve surely seen the stunning array of trees and other flora decorating the landscape. These natural wonders are more than just pretty embellishments – they’re a part of the University of Georgia Campus Arboretum. What’s an arboretum?It sounds pretty fancy, but an arboretum is just a fancy word for a botanical garden that’s specifically devoted to trees. So, while places like the State Botanical Garden of Georgia definitely have their fair share of trees, arboreta feature trees as the majority. Where is the University of Georgia Campus Arboretum?While most arboreta and botanical gardens are set up like a park, with an entrance and exit and clearly-defined walking paths, the UGA Campus Arboretum encompasses the entirety of UGA’s campus! Any land that is owned and maintained by the University of Georgia is a part of the UGA Campus Arboretum. Why did UGA dedicate its entire campus as an arboretum?The University of Georgia has always played an active role in caring about the environment, and an important part of advocating for nature is helping it grow! Prior to the Campus Arboretum, UGA established a few smaller arboreta in designated locations. Unfortunately, these attempts succumbed to development as the University grew. In order to create an arboretum that could be protected, the decision was made to declare the entire campus one. Rather than funding the maintenance of a specific plot of land as an homage to trees, the University puts those efforts into the Arboretum Committee. In turn, the committee ensures all of UGA’s landscaping falls in line with the Campus Arboretum’s mission: “…to provide biologically diverse and aesthetic collections of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants in designed settings for the enjoyment and education students, staff, faculty, and visitors, and to map, label, and otherwise promote the extant and future tree and shrub collections.” This mission ensures that the trees planted on campus are well cared for, and that more trees (and shrubs and herbaceous plants) are incorporated into the landscape as often as possible. The result of this is that the entire University campus is a beautiful museum of all that nature has to offer! How to Enjoy the UGA Campus ArboretumWhether you’re a student, faculty member, visitor, or just a passerby, the Campus Arboretum is for everyone. You can take a walk through the grounds yourself to see the sights. Featured trees will have a small black sign at their base that declares them a part of the Campus Arboretum and denotes their species. But, if you’re interested in a more structured tour, the University of Georgia Campus Arboretum website has guides for all the different sections of campus: North Campus, Central Campus, South Campus, the Founder’s Garden, and the Oconee Forest Park. You can download and print a copy of the North Campus Walking Tour map for a list of featured trees paired with hand-drawn leaf examples. Or, you can take a virtual tour of each campus section, where you’ll find pictures of featured trees and more relevant information. Stay tuned as over the next few weeks, we take some time to shine a spotlight on the different campus tours, what trees you can expect to see, and what makes those trees special! AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio. Our newest Tree of the Month is, in our humble opinion, one of the prettiest trees we’ve ever seen: the flowering dogwood. Also known as the Florida dogwood, St. Peter’s Crown, and just plain-old Dogwood, Cornus florida is most well-known for its large, showy “flowers.” We put that in quotations because what most people would consider the dogwood’s flower is actually four bracts, or modified leaves. These four bracts can be stark white to deep pink in color, and usually have a dimple on their outer edge that causes them to curl into a point. The true flowers of the dogwood are the little green clusters in the center of the four bracts, often mistaken for stamen or pollen pods. From one end to the other, the bracts measure around 3 inches long on average, making them larger than most tree flowers. As the “flowers” of the dogwood are actually bracts, they last much longer than typical flowers do, and can bloom as long as May all the way through October. In addition to this long flowering season, dogwoods also offer beautiful color displays throughout the year, making them a favorite of landscapers and homeowners alike. Long, handsome dark-green leaves herald in the warmer months prior to flowering season. In the fall, these leaves change to brilliant scarlet reds and deep mahogany purples. Small, glossy-red berries offer more months of color, and attract a range of winter birds and small animals. And when the tree is fully bare, the pretty speckled bark is revealed. Dogwoods can naturally be both single- and multi-trunked, and with a little cultivating, you can encourage your tree to either. Typically, dogwoods grow as wide as they do tall, with a full, spreading crown of nearly horizontal branches. Most dogwoods will stay on the smaller side, reaching heights between 20 and 30 feet tall (though some have been recording surpassing 40 feet!). When it comes to caring for these native trees, dogwoods are relatively low-maintenance. They are both heat- and cold-tolerant, so they can handle the scorching summers and occasional freezes of the South. On a regular day, they prefer partial shade, which means around 4 hours of direct sunlight. Though the roots need to be kept cool and moist, the tree itself doesn’t need constant watering. The best way to help out a dogwood is by adding a few inches of mulch around the base to protect the roots from drying out. Otherwise, the natural rain patterns and sun levels of Georgia will get the job done. If you’re thinking of planting your own flowering dogwood, be sure to keep its sun requirements in mind, but there isn’t much else to worry about otherwise. In the wild, flowering dogwoods are often found growing beneath larger forest trees. Their root systems don’t mind sharing, and their growth pattern can accommodate height restrictions. As a bonus, these trees have a moderate growth rate of 13 to 24 inches a year, so you won’t have to wait too long to enjoy those gorgeous “flowers!” AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio. There’s nothing quite as refreshing as enjoying fresh fruit in the heat of summer. And fruit doesn’t get any fresher than when it’s just been picked straight from the tree! Fruit trees are notorious for being difficult to maintain, and many would-be fruit enthusiasts end up disappointed when all their hard work doesn’t yield any…well…fruit. And don’t get us wrong, fruit trees aren’t easy. They’re pretty high-maintenance, and can be fickle, especially in the temperamental temperatures of Georgia summers and winters. But, for those willing to put in the elbow grease, here’s a list of some handy tips on how to grow fruit trees in Georgia! Social DistancingFruit trees need a lot of nutrients in order to actually grow fruit. If you plant fruit trees too close to each other, their roots will end up competing for resources, which will weaken all the trees involved. Room to GrowWhen you dig a hole to plant your tree, make it about twice as wide as the root ball or tree’s container. You’ll fill this in with nutrient-rich soil, of course, but doing this loosens the ground around the roots so they have an easier time spreading. This gives your tree a much better chance of successfully establishing itself. Fun in the SunWhile the summer heat isn’t always the best thing for fruit trees, they definitely need sun exposure. Be sure to choose a full-sun location (6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight every day). Don’t Forget DrainageFruit trees definitely need a lot of water, but they also don’t like their soil to be sopping wet. A well-drained area will ensure that any excess liquid won’t stick around to rot the roots. Pro Tip – a good way to ensure good drainage is to plant on a slope or incline! The Watering Sweet SpotMost fruit trees will need about 3 inches of water per month. That’s a hard measurement to calculate as far as how much you should water, but a good rule of thumb is to use your thumb. Stick your thumb into the dirt near the base of your tree. If the dirt is dry as far as your thumb can reach, then it’s time to water. Birds of a FeatherFruit trees can’t pollinate properly unless there are multiple different varieties of that tree around for cross-pollination. Be sure to plant at least 2 (but preferably more) varieties of whatever fruit tree you choose. Pro Tip – plant a range of different fruit trees (in addition to different varieties of the same fruit) for best results! What fruit trees grow best in Georgia?Most fruit trees will grow in Georgia with some love, but the best fruit trees for Georgia are:
AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio. Sources:
How Much Water Should One Give a Fruit Tree? How to Grow Fruit Trees in Georgia UGA Extension: Growing Fruits UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Best Fruit Trees to Grow in Georgia Fruit Trees for Zone 8 Georgia Grown: Fruits Planting a Small Home Orchard Bare Root Fruit Trees Fruits to Grow in Your Garden Planting and Caring for Fruit Trees With summer creeping in around the corner, you may think you’ve missed your window to start that garden or update those sad bushes out front. But it’s not too late! There are actually plenty of species that will thrive when planted in the warmest months. Check out these species that don't mind the summer heat: FlowersBring some color to your yard with these floral favorites.
FoliageUse shrubs to add some privacy to your patio, or just to liven up your curb appeal!
VeggiesNothing says "summer" like a fresh cucumber salad, or maybe a summer squash soup.
HerbsAdd some home-grown flavor to your favorite dishes .
There you have it! If you think you may want to grow any of the plants we just mentioned, check out the links below for tips and tricks. How to Grow Cucumbers How to Grow Summer Squash Cabbage Plant Profile How to Grow Carrots How to Grow Cauliflower How to Grow Peas Spinach Planting Guide Growing Cosmos Growing Hyacinth Growing Morning Glories Growing Sunflowers Geranium Care How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Zinnias How to Grow Impatiens How to Grow and Care for Barberry Bushes How to Grow and Care for Boxwood Shrubs Growing Hydrangeas Growing Juniper Shrubs Growing Sage Growing Basil How to Grow Dill in Your Herb Garden How to Grow Parsley How to Grow Rosemary Tips to Keep Your Late Summer Garden Going Strong 10 Easy Summer Gardening Tips AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio. May is bright and colorful as everything begins to bloom. As the saying goes: April showers bring May flowers. In addition to colorful petals, we will soon see just how many shades of green there are! One of the hallmarks of this time of year is the buzzing of bees and fluttering of butterflies. In fact, May is when pollinators come out in full force. These seemingly insignificant members of the ecosystem are actually the most vital. You’ve probably heard of the #savethebees movement. In addition to large-scale corporate efforts, communities all over the world are coming together to help out their local pollinator populations. One way you can contribute is by participating in No Mow May. What is No Mow May?No Mow May is exactly what the name says. It means you don’t mow your lawn for the month of May. Whether you have a 5x5 foot yard in front of your apartment or multiple sprawling acres, No Mow May means you let the plants on your property grow uninhibited. How does No Mow May help? When you mow your lawn, you aren’t just cutting down your grass to a uniform length. You also take down any weeds that have dared encroach on your property. In colder months, this isn’t really a problem. But these wildflowers and wild grasses are a major source of food and nesting ground for pollinators. Our flying friends need these resources to do their job, and without them, they won’t be able to pollinate as much as normal. What is pollination?Pollination is a fancy word for when a plant’s reproductive genetic material (pollen) is transferred from the anther (the male part) to the stigma (the female part). This is the first step of the life cycle of plants. Without it, any seeds the plant bears won’t be able to grow, and the plant won’t be able to contribute to the next generation. Pollination can happen in a variety of ways. While some plant species can actually self-pollinate, most require assistance. Wind and water pollination happen when the natural elements carry pollen from one flower to another. But the most common form of pollination is via pollinators like birds, bees, butterflies, bats, flies, wasps, and even some small mammals. Why do we need pollination?Something like 75% to 95% of all flowering plants on the entire planet fall into the category of species that need help pollinating. That means that almost every flower, bush, and tree you see on a daily basis requires a pollinator of some kind. To put it in perspective, consider this: of the more than 180,000 different species that pollinators visit, approximately 1,200 of those are crops humans use as foodstuffs. For even more perspective, that means that approximately 1 bite of food out of every 3 bites is thanks to pollinators. What can you do to help?No Mow May as a movement was designed to not only ensure pollinators have everything they need to do their thing, but also to draw public attention to the dwindling pollinator populations across the globe. As our cities grow and we develop more and more land, we reduce the available area for biodiversity. In addition, human creations like pesticides and other pollutants kill off both the plants our pollinators need and our pollinators themselves. Participating in No Mow May is an easy, short-term way you can help boost your local ecosystem. If you want to take a more active role, you can plant species that specifically attract pollinators. Want to learn more? Check out these resources! AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio. Every year, green cicadas pop up in late spring and early summer and start “singing.” Of course, to us, it sounds a whole lot more like screaming! The shed skins of cicadas (which we always thought look a little like cicada ghosts) will litter the sides of houses and trunks of trees. And then, just as suddenly as the screaming started, it’ll stop, and the cicadas will be gone until next spring. But this year, things are going to be a little different, because 2021 marks the return of Brood X. The name sounds a bit intimidating, but it’s really just the Roman Numeral for 10. Brood X is the 10th generation of a line of 17-year periodical cicadas. What does that mean? To understand, we’ll have to take a look at the life cycle of cicadas. The Life Cycle of CicadasAdult cicadas vibrate their tymbal organs, which are membranes on both sides of their abdomen, in order to attract other cicadas in the area. This vibration creates the roar we associate with cicada breeding season, and can easily approach 100 decibels. That’s about as much sound as a leaf blower or chain saw! Once enough cicadas have gathered together, males will begin courting females with courtship calls. Females express their return interest by an audible flick of their wings, adding even more noise to the chorus. After mating, the female cicada will find a small, thin branch or twig to lay her eggs. Using a rigid appendage on her abdomen, the cicada gouges a line into the wood where she then deposits batches of 20 to 30 eggs. The average female can lay around 600 eggs, which means she can do this upwards of 30 times! Fertilized eggs will develop in their nests for about 6 to 10 weeks before hatching. You’re probably familiar with the idea that many bug species start their lives out as larvae. Cicadas, on the other hand, have what’s called a gradual metamorphosis. So, instead of larvae, they’re called nymphs. Freshly-emerged cicada nymphs drop to the ground immediately after vacating their eggs, and then burrow into the ground within a few minutes. They’ll settle about a foot or so beneath the surface and attach themselves quickly to a food source. Nymphs usually prefer the small roots of trees, but are also known to attack the roots of grasses and other herbaceous plants as well. Using their sucking mouth, they pierce the root and draw out xylem fluid (water and nutrients transported between plant cells). Cicada nymphs will shed their skin a few times underground, and then once more above ground before their exoskeleton hardens and they are officially adults, where they repeat the cycle over again. What makes Brood X different?The cicadas we see annually are green in color, and relatively reasonable in number. You see them around, and they sure make a lot of noise, but they aren’t exactly overwhelming. Brood X, on the other hand, is made up of periodical cicadas. They are brown to black in color, with yellowish wings. “Periodical” is used to describe species that go dormant between generations. In the case of cicadas, there are two types: 13-year periodical and 17-year periodical. The nymphs of periodical cicada species hide underground for 13 or 17 years at a time before re-emerging as adults to breed. Brood X is the newest generation of 17-year periodical cicadas. The parents of this generation mated and laid their eggs in 2004. In the last 17 years, the nymphs have been feeding and shedding about a foot underground. This May, over a trillion Brood X nymphs are expected to pop out of the ground and shed their skin one final time before spreading their wings and beginning their adult lives. The Danger to Your TreesWith trillions of cicadas emerging, at least half of them female, and each female capable of filling over 30 nests… that’s a lot of gouges in a lot of trees. The cuts needed for a cicada to lay her eggs are pretty shallow and not very long, but they can still do some damage. There’s also concern that the open wounds may allow pests a to get a foothold into your tree, or bacteria an entry point to infect. As cicadas prefer to lay their eggs in small, thin branches, they usually pick young twigs near the end of their main branch. Though the injury isn’t that big, it’s more than enough to kill off the twig. Older, well-established trees can handle the death of some twigs just fine. The dead ends usually drop off in the weeks following the cicada laying her eggs. In some cases, the twigs recover, though the location of the nest will probably be structurally weaker than the rest of the branch. Younger and smaller trees, on the other hand, may be in genuine danger from Brood X. Plant nurseries, orchards, strawberry and blueberry farms, and even landscaping trees planted in parking lots and along city streets are all likely to be targeted by this new generation. What can you do?So how can you protect your trees from the onslaught of egg-laying cicadas? The popular answer is to spray a lot of pesticide. Unfortunately, most pesticides will do nothing to discourage female cicadas from a potential nesting site. Any pesticide strong enough to deter them will likely end up hurting your tree in the process. The tried-and-true solution for protecting young trees from cicadas is mesh barriers. 1.0-centimeter mesh, to be exact. Studies have shown that trees protected with 2.5-cm mesh were just as damaged as trees not protected at all. Basically, that means you need pretty tightly-woven mesh to keep cicadas out. If the gaps between threads are more than a single centimeter, the pesky bugs will worm their way in and go about their egg-laying like normal. Looking for more information? Check out the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences article. AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio. Power lines are one of those things you probably only think about when they aren’t working. If a storm knocks them out, you lose power to your home. But at Classic City Arborists, we have to think about power lines a lot. In fact, they’re one of the first things we note when assessing a potential customer’s tree work. What do we look for?It can be hard to judge whether or not a power line close to your home will be a problem when it comes to the tree work you want done. Scott Rushing, our Certified Arborist, uses his many years of hands-on experience and professional training to decide whether or not the lines need to be dropped before any work can be done. But essentially, we’re looking to see if there are power lines too close to the tree(s) in question, or even just too close to the work site where we’ll be operating some heavy machinery. What does “dropping” power lines mean?If the power lines on or near your property end up being too close to the job site for us to work around them, then your estimate will have a note that the “power lines need to be dropped.” Basically, this means the lines have to be detached from at least one pole so they aren’t running live power. Usually, they’re laid flat on the ground that they’d normally hang above, so they’re easy to reattach when the time comes. How do I get power lines dropped?It’s actually pretty easy to get your power lines dropped. In most cases, we will contact your power provider to set everything up. We will coordinate the specific work date with you and your provider a few weeks prior. Will I lose power?Unfortunately, yes. Depending on the scope of the tree work you want done, you may be without power for just an hour or two, or maybe for the whole day. Once the lines are dropped and we can begin working, we always start with the tree(s) and work that directly interferes with the power lines. As soon as we are no longer working around the power lines, we will call the power company to have them restore the lines. Can’t you just work around them?We know that having the power to your home cut for even a short period of time can be super inconvenient, even with plenty of time to prepare. When assessing any job site, Scott walks around and even measures distances to see whether or not working around power lines is an option. But it’s important to realize how dangerous working too close to power lines can be, for us and for you. The Dangers of Tree Work around Power LinesAccording to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), contact with electricity is the leading cause of death for tree care workers. Trees are excellent conductors, which means electricity travels through them easily. This means that if we put a metal saw against a limb of a tree that’s touching a power line, electricity will run from the line, through the tree, into the metal saw, and then into the worker! This may not seem like a big deal (especially if you’ve ever been zapped by an electric fence), but power lines pack some heavy firepower. Coming into contact with one, even indirectly like we just described, can be fatal. Even if you don’t die by electrocution, that amount of electricity wreaks havoc on the human body. Depending on circumstances, it may even be enough for ignition (which means you catch on fire). Of course, we take a range of safety precautions to protect our workers. The first measure we take to protect against power line accidents is to have lines dropped when working close to them. Our employees also wear proper gloves and shoes at all times, and maintain the regulation distance from overhead lines. We maintain Workers Comp to ensure our employees (and customers) are protected in the event of an accident. By dropping power lines before completing your tree work, we’re also keeping you safe as well. Like we said, trees are excellent conductors of electricity. If a limb comes into contact with an active power line, electricity can travel through it and into the ground, where it disperses in all directions. This surge can electrocute you, your dog, your children, passersby, and can even overload the circuits in your home (like if it got struck by lightning). Basically, messing with power lines is a huge risk for everyone involved! Having them dropped prior to our work protects both you and us from injury and even death. Have other questions? Check out our FAQs for more information! For a free estimate, feel free to give us a call or fill out our online form. AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio. Quercus laevis, more commonly known as the turkey oak, is a short, sometimes shrub-like tree native to the southeastern United States. We call it the turkey oak (or sometimes the turkey-foot oak) because its leaves have three distinct lobes, and they look a whole lot like turkey feet. The hardy species is also sometimes called the scrub oak, because it grows best in scrub land. Where other trees might wither and die in sandy, low-moisture soil, turkey oaks thrive. In fact, the turkey oak’s native habitat is the dry, sandy, well-drained soils found in places like the Carolina bay rims, old beach sand dunes, or even coastal plain ridges with quartzite and acidic rock types. Basically, this tree really likes soil that’s inhospitable to most other tree species! Did You Know?Quercus laevis is often specified as the American turkey oak, to differentiate it from the European Quercus cerris. Where our turkey oak is native to the United States, the European turkey oak is an invasive species. As it prefers well-drained soil, the turkey oak is pretty drought resistant, making it a great choice for areas with low annual rainfall. These trees can also stand against heavy wind and inclement weather without uprooting, as their shorter stature protects them against the worst of the elements. This overall hardiness makes them a popular choice to prevent erosion in coastal areas, but it also means they are often seen as weeds by homeowners. In the wild, turkey oaks often make up the understory of long-leaf pine forests. They have lower sunlight requirements, so they don’t mind the shade. On average, the turkey oak will reach 26 to 33 feet high, putting it squarely on the small side of the tree size spectrum. With a little pruning, you can even grow this species like a shrub! Its branches spread out wide, giving the tree a shorter, stouter appearance. Unlike other oak species, the turkey oak has an irregularly-shaped crown. The bark of the turkey oak starts out smooth and dark brown (or even blackish) in color. As the tree ages, this bark lightens to a warm reddish-gray and breaks into deeply furrowed ridges. The inner bark is usually a warm red color throughout the tree’s lifetime. As we mentioned, the turkey oak gets its name from its turkey-foot-shaped leaves. While the leaves are young, they do often resemble turkey feet, with 3 deeply divided lobes. As they grow, however, the leaves tend to average between 5 and 7 lobes. Each individual lobe is tipped with a few bristle teeth, but they are otherwise pretty smooth and hairless. Leaves average between 3 and 7 inches long. Sometimes longer! An interesting feature that makes turkey oak leaves unique is their growth pattern. Most trees hold their leaves horizontally, so they are displaying as much leaf surface as possible for photosynthesis. Turkey oaks, on the other hand, hold their leaves vertically. This protects the leaves against the hottest hours of the sun, so they don’t burn, and lets them photosynthesize best in the morning and evening, when the sun is lower in the sky. The turkey oak is a deciduous tree, which means it sheds its leaves annually. Usually, deciduous trees offer a brilliant display of fall colors before their leaves dry out, turn brown, and fall to the ground. Turkey oak leaves do change color in the fall, usually to yellow or orange-red. But they don't try out as quickly as other oak species. In fact, turkey oaks will hold onto their beautiful burnt-gold leaves well into the winter! In the spring, turkey oaks grow acorns just like any other oak tree. They take the average 18 months to mature before they can start sprouting, and average less than an inch long. Turkey oak acorns are an important source of food for a variety of wildlife, including the black bear, white-tailed deer, and of course, the wild turkey. Though you might expect the flowers of the turkey oak to also bloom in the spring, the male catkins actually don’t start appearing until around November. They produce high amounts of pollen, and may be responsible for your winter allergies! Though it deviates from the typical oak characteristics in many ways, the turkey oak is still an oak tree. That means it’s still susceptible to diseases like chestnut blight, shoestring root rot, oak leaf blister, cankers, and even mildew. If you suspect that your turkey oak is showing signs of decay, don’t hesitate to give us a call! AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio. |
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