|
News and Blog Articles
|
 If the storm drops limbs on your roof, please don't try to climb up there yourself to get them down! We aren’t exactly known for getting lots of winter precipitation here in Athens. The occasional snow flurry, and if we’re lucky, maybe a half-inch that sticks around for long enough to make a small snowman. But sometimes, Georgia’s fickle weather likes to catch us off-guard, and sends us things like freezing rain, sleet, snow, and even hail. Such events, though few and far between, can be incredibly dangerous for a multitude of reasons, including the increased likelihood of tree failure. What happens if a tree fails in a winter storm?The first thing to do in any tree failure or partial tree failure situation is to get to safety. If a tree falls on your home, evacuate that area. If it falls on your car, keep a safe distance. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. Once everyone is a safe distance away from the impact zone, it’s time to assess the situation to determine how severe the emergency is. The following are some of the criteria that both emergency responders and local tree service companies consider emergencies that should be prioritized: Someone is in danger.For example, if a tree fell onto your car while someone was in it, or fell into their bedroom, trapping them inside. Access for emergency medical attention is blocked.For example, a tree fell across your driveway, and an ambulance wouldn’t be able to get to your home if needed.  If a tree falls on powerlines, you should keep your distance, as the lines are still active and can electrocute you. Power lines are involved. If a falling tree or limb impacted power lines, call 911 to alert them so the lines can be inspected, and ALWAYS assume the lines are still active and capable of electrocuting you. Further danger is expected. For example, if a tree has started to fail but hasn’t fully fallen, say because it gets caught in another tree. Or, if a tree loses a limb and starts cracking down the trunk, suggesting it might fail entirely. If you meet any of the above criteria, first call 911 to alert them of the situation, and then a tree service company. If your situation doesn’t meet the above criteria or isn’t an emergency, you can still call a tree care professional to get your job on their radar. Just know that, while your project will likely take priority as storm-related over regular work, there may be other emergency situations that take precedence. Be patient and know that all the tree companies in your area are doing the best they can to get to every job in a timely manner while keeping their community and employees safe. What tree company should I use?There are plenty of tree service companies local to our area, and during severe storms when there is lots of emergency work, we all work together to make sure everyone’s trees are taken care of as quickly as possible to minimize damage and danger to persons and property. That said, there area few things you should confirm before allowing any tree service professional to step on your property: Liability Insurance Make sure the company you choose maintains liability insurance, and make sure that insurance is up to date. Any reputable company will be more than happy to provide you with a copy of their insurance for your records, which will include both the monetary amount their insurance covers up to, as well as the dates the insurance is valid for.  If a tree falls on your house, get out safely, call your insurance agent, then call a Certified Arborist. Worker’s Compensation Insurance You also want to ensure the company has up-to-date worker’s comp. If one of their employees gets injured on the job, this kind of insurance ensures you aren’t liable for their medical care. Again, any reputable company will provide you with a copy of this insurance for your records. Arborist Certification It’s always best to have a Certified Arborist assess your situation. They’re trained and experienced in emergency situations, and will know how best to remove the fallen tree as safely as possible, while also minimizing further damage to your home and property. How can I prepare for a storm?While there’s not much you can do in the way of preparing your trees for a storm (you can’t cover them with a tarp or park them in the garage, like you can with your car, for example), there are still some things you can do to be prepared.  Park any vehicles away from high-risk trees before a storm to prevent a tree from falling on your car. Park cars away from high-risk trees. Broadleaf and needleleaf evergreens are more susceptible to damage and failure during freezing rain and ice accumulation. If you’ve got some tall pines near your driveway, you might want to consider parking your car in your front yard, or even on the street. If you’ll be parking on hardscape, like concrete or pavement, avoid parking on steep inclines. Bring decorations inside. High winds can cause even heavy patio furniture to blow away, or worse – to crash into a window. If you can, bring loose items like this inside, or put them in a shed. If you can’t do that, consider tying them down. Get a secure water supply. Severe storms in our area tend to knock out the power, sometimes even for a few days, so it’s important to make sure you have access to fresh water. Fill a bathtub (or two, if you have them!) with water. This can be used to refill toilet tanks for flushing, brushing your teeth, or even for drinking. Having a case of bottled water on hand is also a smart idea. Remember, adults need 2-3 liters of water a day, and children need 1 liter per day, so keep that in mind as you plan ahead. And don’t forget pets! Keep warm. With freezing temperatures, things can get very cold very quickly, so it’s important to know how you’re going to stay warm in the event of a power outage. It’s easiest to keep one room at a safe temperature, rather than trying to keep an entire house warm without central heating. If you have a fireplace, stock up on firewood and pull out the sleeping bags – it might be time to have a sleepover in the living room! If you don’t have a fireplace, a small camp stove or gas grill can also generate heat. If you don’t have anything that can generate heat, gather everyone into one of the smallest rooms of the house. Bundle up with lots of layers and blankets, and use extras to cover windows for added insulation. Your combined generated body heat can help keep a smaller room warm. Keep an eye on your perishables. If the power goes out, try to open your fridge and freezer as little as possible to hold in the cold air. Fridges can keep meat, dairy, and eggs safe for about 4 hours if the door remains closed, so eat those items first if possible. Your freezer, on the other hand, can keep things safe to eat for a day, maybe even two, if the door stays shut and the freezer is full. Stock up on non-perishables. If you know in advance a storm is on the way, stocking up on non-perishable foods is always a smart move, especially foods that don’t need any kind of cooking. Crackers, bread, peanut butter, beef jerky, and canned fruits are all great options. In the event of tree damage in a winter storm, Classic City Arborists prioritizes emergency work, so don’t hesitate to give us a call! If you’d like to have us check out your property for any high-risk trees, consider scheduling a tree assessment. AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has worked with Classic City Arborists for the last 5 years. In addition to handling administrative tasks and customer communication (she’s the voice you’ll hear on the phone!), Emily is an experienced copywriter, editor, and storyboard consultant. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.
0 Comments
 Phew, it’s getting hot outside! The first day of summer was June 1st, so the warmest season is finally upon us. But the summer solstice, also considered the first day of summer, isn’t until June 21st. So what gives? What is the Summer Solstice?The word “solstice” comes from the Latin solstitium, which means “sun stands still.” There are two solstices a year – one in summer, and one in winter. Both solstices are days when the Earth’s axis, or tilt, is aligned with the sun. In the winter, that alignment means we have the longest night, or the most hours of darkness. In the summer, it means we have the longest day, or the most hours of sunlight! In more temperate climates, the summer solstice is used to mark the middle of the season, and celebrated as Midsummer. In warmer climates, like here in Georgia, the solstice is often considered the first day of summer.  But what about June 1st, then? Two First Days of SummerYou’ve probably heard that June 1st is the first official day of summer. In fact, you’ve probably seen it marked on calendars and announced by news anchors. This is because meteorologists divide the 12 months of the year into 4 equal seasons. They do this to make compiling and comparing climate data over the years easier to comprehend. The meteorological summer season is June 1st through August 31st. But traditionally, and across a variety of cultures in warmer climates, the solstice has been seen as the real first day of summer. Summer Is Here. So What Now?Either way you view it, the 1st or the 21st, summer is here. There are lots of things to keep in mind as we move into the hottest months of the year. First, while the spring planting season is over, that doesn’t mean you can’t still get out in the garden! There’s a host of things you can plant during the hotter months. Check out our article on What to Plant This Summer to learn more. Second, and most importantly, we’ve already talked about impending summer storms. While hurricanes don’t usually reach us, they do tend to send lots of rain and heavy winds our way, which can easily topple a compromised tree. It’s important to keep your eyes on your trees this time of year, and our blog post on signs of decay can help you identify potential problem trees that may pose a higher fall risk. If you do see something concerning, or even something you just aren’t sure about, it’s best to call a Certified Arborist immediately.  If you do, remember this is the busy season for your local tree services and certified arborists. In the summer, everyone is spending more time outside, looking at their trees, and calling their local arborists. We’re all working hard to get to everyone in a timely manner, usually while prioritizing emergency storm damage to keep customers and the community safe. Whether you reach out to us here at Classic City Arborists, or another qualified tree service in the area, please be patient. Together, we’ll makes sure your tree needs are taken care of. Interested in scheduling a free quote? Contact us today to schedule an appointment! AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has worked with Classic City Arborists for the last 5 years. In addition to handling administrative tasks and customer communication (she’s the voice you’ll hear on the phone!), Emily is an experienced copywriter, editor, and storyboard consultant. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.  The vernal equinox is almost upon us, which means spring is almost here! The weather is getting warmer, the days are growing longer, and soon the flowers will be blooming. But what is the vernal equinox, and why do we celebrate it? What is the Vernal Equinox?Let’s start with what an equinox is. There are two equinoxes every year: the vernal equinox and the autumnal equinox. On these days, neither hemisphere is tilted more towards the sun than the other. The sun shines directly over the equator, making the length of day and night roughly the same, no matter where you are on the planet. The word “equinox” comes to us from the Latin aequus, meaning equal, and nox, meaning night. After an equinox, one hemisphere will begin tilting towards the sun, while the other tilts away. The hemisphere tilting towards the sun will start to see more daylight hours and less hours of darkness as it moves into its spring season. This is called the vernal equinox, “vernal” meaning something that relates to or occurs during the spring.  The hemisphere tilting away from the sun, however, will start to see less daylight hours, and more hours of darkness as it moves into its autumn season. This is the autumnal, or fall, equinox. So, for us here in the Northern hemisphere, the approaching equinox is vernal, signaling the start of spring! When is the Vernal Equinox?The vernal equinox occurs sometime between March 19th and 21st. This year, it’s on March 20th. What Does That Mean for Me?The start of spring heralds warmth and new growth, and there are lots of ways you can take advantage of the upcoming season. With the daylight hours starting to outpace the nighttime hours, spend more time outside! Go for walks, visit the park, or (once they start opening), spend an afternoon at the pool. With warmer weather on the way, it’s a good time to get planting. If you’re thinking of starting a garden, check out our list of what to plant in the spring so you’ll know what species will do well. If you’re looking to help those pollinators get a head-start on their busy season (and bring more birds, bees, and beautiful butterflies to your yard!) check out our list of what to plant to attract pollinators.  As the weather warms, you’ll also start to see your trees budding leaves. In addition to enjoying the greenery, be sure to keep your eyes out for signs that your tree might be in decline. If you see something suspicious, it might be time to call in a Certified Arborist to take a look! Feel free to give Classic City Arborists a call to schedule your free quote today. AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has worked with Classic City Arborists for the last 5 years. In addition to handling administrative tasks and customer communication (she’s the voice you’ll hear on the phone!), Emily is an experienced copywriter, editor, and storyboard consultant. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio. As summer settles in, we’re spending more and more time outdoors. Between backyard barbecues, evenings sipping iced tea on the porch, and nights telling stories around the fire pit, there’s no shortage of reasons to be outside. The only downside here (besides the unforgiving Georgia heat) is the bugs – mosquitoes, to be exact. The little bloodsuckers can make your life miserable, not to mention itchy. It’s tempting to grab the strongest pesticide you can find and spray everything down to keep your property mosquito-free. But that might actually be the worst thing you could do! As it turns out, many common ways of dealing with mosquitoes can be dangerous, either to the mosquito population, the local ecosystem, or even to you and your family! So how can you deal with those pesky pests? National Mosquito Control Awareness WeekNext week, June 19th through the 25th, is National Mosquito Control Awareness Week. Hosted by the American Mosquito Control Association, this annual event aims to educate the public on the best and safest ways to deal with mosquitoes. Their integrated mosquito management (IMM) approach includes five steps that anyone can follow:  1. Educate Yourself Most people don’t really think about mosquitoes until they’ve got an itchy bite on their arm or leg. But successful mosquito management depends heavily on controlling the population before this stage in the mosquitoes’ life cycle. In order for mosquito eggs to develop into pupa (baby mosquitoes), they have to be exposed to water. Generally speaking, mosquitoes will choose to lay their eggs in pools of standing water to keep the eggs hydrated until they hatch. Standing water naturally occurs in depressions in the ground or low points on your property. But water can also collect in man-made locations. There are some obvious spots, like a flower pot forgotten in the corner of your porch, or a decorative bird bath. There are also some not-so-obvious spots, because water can pool almost anywhere. The less-than-a-mouthful of water gathered on the swing of your backyard playset is more than enough for a mosquito to brood. Even the divot in the lap of your favorite garden gnome probably holds just enough liquid to host some mosquito eggs. To truly control the mosquito population in your area, you’ll need to attack at the source – that is, the eggs. 2. Surveillance/Scouting Now that you know where mosquito babies come from, it’s time to figure out where specifically they’re coming from around your home. Have a look around to see if there’s any visible standing water, or any places that could house standing water the next time it rains, or your sprinklers water your lawn. Wide surveillance is the best surveillance, of course, so the more information you can gather on where mosquitoes might be nesting, the better. Talk to your neighbors to see if they’ve got any candidate locations, or take a walk around the block and see what the sidewalks look like. 3. Source Reduction So you know where mosquitoes lay their eggs, and now you know where mosquitoes could lay their eggs near you. It’s time to prevent that! The most popular method is called ‘tip and toss.’ Basically, empty out those standing water locations! The American Mosquito Control Association recommends checking your surroundings for standing water at least once a week during the warmer months, and of course, after every time it rains. While you’re at it, you can also do what you can to prevent any more water from gathering. This might look like moving some mulch around to fill in the lower areas of your yard, or tupping that flower pot upside-down so it can’t collect any more water. Maybe your garden gnome needs a little ceramic frog to sit in his lap, so the little divot there can’t fill up, either. 4. Larvicide The last two steps do involve the use of insecticides, but it’s important to note that larvicide comes first. Larvicide just means using pesticides designed specifically to impact the larval stages of life, rather than the adult stages. A variety of biological control agents exist that can be distributed into standing water where eggs or larvae already exist to prevent them from developing into adults. 5. Adulticide The last resort, adulticide, refers to the use of pesticides to kill off adult pests. The danger here is that pesticides can’t target just one type of pest – so while you’ll definitely kill off those mosquitoes, you might also kill off the local bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. In addition, some pesticides can be harmful to the environment. If you must look to adulticide, be sure to do your research and find the best and most environmentally-friendly insecticide for your area, and of course, follow the application instructions exactly. A lot of insecticide pollution could be avoided by only applying what the directions say to, rather than spraying anything and everything in sight. 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.  For the past 150 years, America has celebrated an annual tree-planting holiday, known as National Arbor Day. And for the last 50 years, the Arbor Day Foundation has helped fund, plan, and spread the word about this holiday and the importance of planting trees. What is the Arbor Day Foundation?While our country has celebrated Arbor Day since 1872, the Arbor Day Foundation wasn’t established until 1972. Its mission? Plant as many trees as possible, in as many places as possible. Thanks to these efforts, the Arbor Day Foundation has contributed nearly 500 million trees across over 50 countries around the world! How do they do it?The Arbor Day Foundation does more than just spread the word about tree planting. Their efforts reach all across the world! One such effort is Tree City USA, a program established with the USDA Forest Services and National Associate of State Foresters. Tree City USA supports and encourages cities to maintain their urban forests. In its first year back in 1976, 46 different cities in America participated in this program. In 2022, more than 3,600 cities are involved! Tree City USA expanded in 2018 with the Tree Cities of the World branch, which reaches cities on every continent (except Antarctica) in over 55 countries across the globe. The Community Tree Recovery program is another effort to keep up our tree population, this time by providing free trees to community members who have lost trees due to natural disasters. Tree Campus Higher Education consists of nearly 400 higher education campuses, all of which follow the program’s best tree care practices. The Arbor Day Foundation is partnered with the US Forest Service to assist in the reforestation of our national forests. What’s the point?All this might seem like a lot of fuss about trees – and it is! Trees are vital to our communities and to our planet. Not only do they create the oxygen we need to breathe, but they also filter out harmful pollutants and carbon dioxide. This has the dual effect of making our air cleaner for us to breathe, and reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which helps slow the buildup that contributes to climate change. Trees also help support the local ecosystem by providing shelter, food, and nesting grounds for a variety of species. Their root systems help reduce erosion, and their canopies can actually cool the temperatures in the area by shading the blazing sun. Plus, we as a species just really, really like trees. We’ve talked before about the healing power of trees; a simple walk through the park can help soothe mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety! Hospital patients who can see trees from their windows even recover faster! How can you get involved?If you want to help out the Arbor Day Foundation, or just participate in the Arbor Day celebration this year, there are a few ways you can get involved: Post to social media! During the week of Arbor Day, the Arbor Day Foundation is planting one tree for each individual Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook post that has the hashtag #ArborDay (up to 75,000 trees!). Plus, this year, Kimberly-Clark has agreed to match those efforts, meaning that you post about the holiday will plant two trees! Join the Foundation! By making a one-time donation in the amount of your choice, you can become a member of the Arbor Day Foundation, and receive 10 free trees to plant. Whether you plant them in your yard or pass them around your community, that’s 10 more trees in the world. You can also choose to have your 10 trees sent to one of America’s national forests, or even the rain forest! In addition to your trees, a membership with the Foundation includes a subscription to the bimonthly Arbor Day newsletter, a copy of The Tree Book to guide you in planting and caring for your trees, and discounts on trees and shrubs purchased in the Online Tree Nursery. Donate! You can support the Foundation by sending a one-time donation, or set up a recurring one. The money you contribute will assist the Arbor Day Foundation in planting trees across the world. Spread the Word! If you tell 5 friends about Arbor Day, and 3 of those friends decide to join the Foundation, that’s 30 trees planted! And if those 5 friends tell 5 friends, who tell 5 other friends… the amount of trees planted this year will explode exponentially. 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. Poinsettias, Christmas cacti, Cyclamen, and Frosty Ferns are all classic Christmas plants you’ll find everywhere during the holidays. But while they’re popular in the winter, these poor things are actually tropical plants that need lots of sunshine and warm weather to survive. To help them out in our fickle Georgia climate, they’ll need some regular maintenance. Remove the WrappingFestive holiday plant gifts usually come in little plastic pots swaddled in shiny, metallic paper. One of the best things you can do for your new green friend is to get them out of that suffocating environment and give them some room to breathe! Set in the SunFinding direct sunlight in your home isn’t always an option, but luckily, plants can make do with ambient light. Set your Christmas cacti up by a window that brings in a lot of light during the day (even if it doesn’t seem like “direct” sunlight), and you’ll have one happy plant! Mind the DraftMost Christmas plants prefer warmer weather, but what they want more than anything is consistent weather. Don’t place a poinsettia right by a door that opens a lot, or an air vent where your AC will come blasting when things heat up outside. Water When NeededIt can be hard to set up a timed watering schedule for any plant, but for tropical ones, all you have to do is check the dirt. Stick your finger in about an inch or two. If it comes out dry, it’s time to water! If moist soil clings to your skin, then your plant has enough water for now. Don’t Forget Drainage!If the pot your poinsettia came in already has drainage holes, then great! But if it doesn’t, be sure to transfer it into something water can drain out of. Without drainage, the soil will stay waterlogged, which can rot the roots, grow mold, and overall kill your plant. For more in-depth tips for your specific Christmas plant, check out HomeStead Gardens handy guide! 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.  As we near the end of the holiday season, many people are ready to take down their ornaments and get rid of their tree. But wait! Before you toss that dying fir out with the garbage, have you considered recycling it? Bring One for the Chipper is a nation-wide movement to recycle as many Christmas trees as possible. Why should you recycle your Christmas tree?Throughout the month of January, landfills are often overwhelmed with the number of Christmas trees they receive. As you can probably imagine, depending on the size and health of the tree at the time of disposal, those babies can take up a lot of room. Bring One for the Chipper’s mission is to reduce the number of trees that end up in our landfills, and help out the environment along the way! What happens to recycled Christmas trees?Like the name suggests, most trees in the Bring One for the Chipper program go through a woodchipper. This generates mulch that can then be donated to places like public parks, public and private playgrounds, city scaping projects, and even individual yards. In some locations, a few trees will be saved from chipping to instead be sunk into local lakes. This creates new habitats for fish and other marine life to flourish! How can you recycle your Christmas tree?Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful (KACCB) is partnering once again with Bring One for the Chipper to make recycling your Christmas tree easier than ever. This year, the event kicks off at 9am on Saturday, January 3rd. From 9am until 1pm, you can bring your undecorated tree to one of these drop-off locations:
 In return, you’ll receive a free tree seedling to plant (while supplies last)! Be sure to remove all ornaments, Christmas lights, and any other decorations from your tree before you bring it for chipping. This year, you can also drop off Christmas lights, wreaths, cardboard, Styrofoam, and even plastic bags to be recycled as well! What if you can’t make it January 3rd?Of course, if January 3rd isn’t a good day for you, never fear. Through January 15th, trees can be dropped off at:
Outside these times, live and undecorated trees can either be taken to the ACC Landfill, or recycled with your regular leaf and limb pickup. Check out the ACC Leaf and Limb website to find out which zone you’re in and when you can expect pickups. What if you have an artificial tree?Unfortunately, most recycling plants won’t accept artificial trees, as the materials they’re made of (like polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene) aren’t easily recyclable. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have options! Donate If your tree is still in usable condition, it can be donated. Donation centers, churches, charities, schools, and libraries are great locations to check out. “Usable condition” means that the tree can stand upright, the branches are still weight-bearing for ornaments, and it’s not completely bald on all sides. Many defects are surmountable: A few broken branches can easily be disguised, and a broken stand can be remade. Dead pre-strung lights can be removed and new lights can be added, and even a few missing branches aren’t a deal-breaker, as trees can be positioned with unsightly sections against the wall. What might not work in your home could still be a festive, heart-warming decoration for someone in need. Reuse  If your tree isn’t in usable condition, that doesn’t mean its life as a Christmas decoration is over. Tree branches can be snipped off and woven together into garlands and wreaths. If you build a little stand for it, the very top section can be used as a mini tree for your porch or kid’s bedroom! Even if you have no use for garland, wreaths, or mini trees, someone else might. Check with your friends, family, and local Facebook craft communities to see if anyone is interested in the material – you might even be able to make some money back that way! Or, if you’re willing to put in the work to cut the branches off and bag them, they can be donated as craft supplies to a donation center, library, or school. AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has worked with Classic City Arborists for the last 5 years. In addition to handling administrative tasks and customer communication (she’s the voice you’ll hear on the phone!), Emily is an experienced copywriter, editor, and storyboard consultant. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio. Whether you’re an avid insect enthusiast or just a casual observer, pretty much everyone knows what the Monarch butterfly looks like. Their bright orange wings are easy to identify, and most of us learned about them and their unique migration pattern in elementary school. Monarch butterflies are sensitive to temperature, and can’t survive the cold of North American winters. So each year, they travel from their homes in Canada and the northern states down to warmer weather, usually settling in Mexico or along the coast of California. Did You Know?Monarch butterflies use air currents and the Earth’s magnetic field to propel them on their journey Their actual departure depends on any given year’s weather, but on average, Monarchs head south around October, and return home around February. It’s this return trip that makes their migration pattern so unique. Monarch butterflies are the only species of butterfly known to embark on this kind of two-way migration. Two-way migration means that a single generation of the species in question travels from one location to another, and then back again. Monarchs, in this case, travel south for the winter, as they can’t survive colder temperatures. Once things warm up again, they head back north to their normal habitat. The Monarch migration is also noteworthy for its span – the Monarch migration route is one of the longest in the animal kingdom, covering over 3,000 miles. Along the way, Monarchs make many stops for food and rest. Here in Georgia, the Monarchs we see are just passing through on their way to their overwinter destination. What is the Monarch Butterfly Count?Every year, conservation organizations like Monarch Joint Venture and Western Monarch Count band together to monitor the Monarch butterfly population. This process can vary, but the general idea is to get a count of how many Monarch butterflies stop by a certain location so we can track their numbers as they migrate to and from home. Counting butterflies is no mean feat, but it’s important. The Monarch butterfly is endangered, with its population decreasing every year. Keeping track of both their migration patterns and their numbers each year helps conservationists and environmental scientists learn how best to support the species so they can thrive. How can I help?One of the biggest ways you can contribute to the preservation of Monarchs is by giving them a place to rest on their long journey. Plant a variety of native nectar plants for them to choose from, and make sure to include lots of milkweed, their preferred host plant. With the food, shelter, and water these plants provide, the butterflies will have everything they need to keep going. Even if all you can plant is a single pot with one milkweed plant, you’re still doing your part! Every stem counts. If you’d like to get involved even further, check out these resources from Monarch Joint Venture to find conservation efforts near you. 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. It’s October, which means Halloween is right around the corner. And whether you’ve put up decorations or not, most houses still look the part – thanks to some large golden spiders and their larger golden webs. These creepy crawlies are Joro spiders, an invasive species that’s been spreading across Georgia (and the Southeast) for the last few years. The Joro InvasionUnlike most invasive species, which can be detrimental to the environments they invade, Joros are actually pretty harmless. They don’t prey on any crops, and don’t have any special preferences for their meals, so they aren’t likely to decimate any native insect populations. In fact, Joros have actually aided in reducing the number of brown stinkbugs. The main drawback of the Joro invasion right now is the sheer amount of them. Their population keeps growing exponentially season after season, but luckily, leading scientists studying them believe that their numbers will level out with time. Thankfully, Joro spiders don’t present any danger to us humans. While they look pretty scary, and can definitely be a nuisance when they build a web right outside your front door, they are unlikely to try and take a bite unless provoked. Even then, their mouths are so small, they can’t really do any damage. As with most creatures in nature, if you leave them alone, they’ll leave you alone. What do Joro spiders look like?As with many arachnids, the males of the species are diminutive and less noticeable. Though they can often be found along the same web as the female Joros, you likely won’t be able to spot the males at all. Their muted, orange-ish brown coloring helps them blend easily into their environment. The Joro spiders everyone’s talking about are the females. With their thick abdomen and long legs, female Joros are easily one of the more intimidating arachnids in our area. Their bodies are striped with a bright yellow and a muted greenish black, and their legs are shiny black with golden bands. The splash of red on the underside of their abdomens makes them even more intimidating, as red coloring is nature often means “Danger!” Aren’t they just banana spiders?Female Joro spiders are often confused with banana spiders thanks to their yellow coloring, and that moniker isn’t 100% incorrect. “Banana spider” is a term used to refer to at least five different arachnid variations of orb-weavers. The Joro spider is also an orb-weaver, and is very similar in appearance to the classic banana spiders. The easiest way to tell the difference between a Joro spider and a banana spider is the web. Banana spider webs look just like you expect a classic one to, with each strand nearly invisible from how thin it is. Banana spiders usually create a single thick zig-zag line bisecting the center of their web that earns them the nickname “writing spiders.” Joro webs, on the other hand, are made of thick golden strands that appear much more half-hazard than standard spider webs. This, along with their sheer massive size, make them fairly easy to spot, and therefore fairly easy to avoid. What can I do to get rid of them?Unfortunately, there isn’t a whole lot we can do right now to reduce their numbers. Right now, they’re almost like hydras; for every Joro you kill, two more will take its place. But they won’t be around forever. Most Joros will have died off by the end of November. Leading UGA entomologists encourage you to leave them be. While they may not be a joy to have around, they do help control the pest population, and can decrease the number of bugs you see in your home as the weather cools. In the meantime, their webs all over your porch certainly make for a spooky Halloween decoration! 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.  This August, the 22nd and 23rd to be exact, is the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, organized by our very own University of Georgia! What is the Great Southeast Pollinator Census?Once a year, the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences organizes the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, or GSePC for short. This project catalogues the pollinator population in the southeast by recording the frequency with which different pollinators visit pollen-bearing plants. Why is that important?Pollinators are, of course, vital to their ecosystems, but they are also vital to our way of life. There are more than 180,000 plant species that pollinators visit to assist with their reproductive process. 1,200 of those species are major crops that sustain our society! To put that in perspective, think of it this way: approximately 1 out of every 3 bites of food you take is thanks to pollinators. In addition to supporting our food supply, pollinators also ensure the continuation of all life on earth. That may sound drastic, but without pollinators assisting them, somewhere between 75% to 95% of all plant life wouldn’t be able to reproduce, which means their species would die out. Plants produce the oxygen we breathe and help keep the air clean. No plants means no oxygen, and no oxygen means no humans! How Does It Work?The GSePC has a detailed guide on how to participate, with pictures, descriptions, and helpful tips. You can also check out their video guide on YouTube for a walk-through of the process, or their FAQ page for more information.  Basically, you'll just need to print out the official Great Southeast Pollinator Census worksheet. As you can see below, the worksheet breaks up pollinators into a few different categories: Carpenter Bees, Bumble Bees, Honey Bees, Small Bees, Wasps, Flies, Butterflies & Moths, and Other Insects. On August 22nd or 23rd (or both, if you want to participate more than once!), go outside and sit in view of a pollinator plant. It can be your favorite flowering bush in your garden, a cluster of wildflowers on the sidewalk, or something found at the local park.  For 15 minutes, keep track of how many pollinators land on your plant, and tally them in their category. After your 15 minutes are up, submit your tally numbers for each category to the Great Southeast Pollinator Census’s website. And that's it! Who Can Participate?Anyone can participate in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census. You don’t have to be an entomologist (someone who studies bugs) to help out!
More Ways to ContributeEven if you can't participate in the census this year, there are still plenty of ways to help out! For one, you can join the GSePC Facebook page, or follow them on Instagram @SoutheastPollinators, and help promote the census by sharing about it on social media. Another great way to help out is to do what you can for pollinators near you. Check out our article on what to plant to attract pollinators so you can support their population, and enjoy some pretty flowers to boot! AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has worked with Classic City Arborists for the last 5 years. In addition to handling administrative tasks and customer communication (she’s the voice you’ll hear on the phone!), Emily is an experienced copywriter, editor, and storyboard consultant. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio. |
|
|
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24
24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24