Tag Archives: trees

The Princess Tree: A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing?

February 22, 2023 sgn32

by Carole Liantonio, Warwick Senior Master Gardener Volunteer

Photo: A princess tree in full bloom. The tree towers over the other trees and is covered with light purple flowers. — Paulownia tomentosa

The princess or empress tree (Paulownia tomentosa) is a fast growing shade tree that was as introduced to North America from Asia via Europe in the 1800s. As it is a beautiful tree with many desirable characteristics, the princess tree is widely available commercially and frequently planted.

Let’s take a look at why people are planting it and why that is problematic.

The Good News:

Photo: A wide sidewalk path (~20 ft wide) lined with benches on both sides. Behind each row of benches is a row of towering princess trees. It looks like the photo was taken in early spring as the trees have no leaves on them, but it appears that they are covered in buds just about to open. — A walkway lined with princess trees

The princess tree is one of the fastest-growing trees in the Northeastern United States. It can grow 10 to 20 feet in a single year, reaching 80 to 100 feet in a decade. This explosive growth is accomplished by pulling carbon dioxide out of the air more efficiently than any other woody plant in the world. Photosynthesizing beyond the call of duty could be a huge help in sequestering carbon and assisting in our struggles with climate change.

Photo. A field planted with rows of princess trees. The trees look to be about 1 foot in diameter. — A stand of planted princess trees

In addition to extra-efficient carbon sequestration, the wood from the princess tree has many uses. It is lightweight, like balsa, but has a very high strength-to-weight ratio. It can be carved, holds nails and screws without splitting, and doesn’t warp or change shape when dried. It has been used for surfboards and kayaks, chests, boxes, clogs, musical instruments, and touring skis, and it’s burned to make charcoal for sketching. The wood is highly prized and worth more per linear foot than black walnut, oak, or maple. It is not surprising that in Japan, where the tree is native, a princess tree was traditionally planted at the birth of a daughter to ultimately be used for her wedding dowry!

Photo: A close-up of a cluster of trumpet white and light purple flowers hanging from the end of a tree branch. — Princess tree flowers

The princess tree is also ascetically pleasing. In late spring, it is covered with large clusters of purple to white trumpet-shaped blooms. These foxglove-like blossoms emit a honeysuckle-like fragrance. Then a few weeks after bloom the tree is covered with large heart-shaped leaves.

Does this sound too good to be true?

The Bad News:

Photo: A freshly disturbed area of soil with a few small weeds and a large princess tree seedling with its large heart shaped leaves. — Princess tree seedling in a disturbed area

Despite all of its favorable qualities, the princess tree also causes significant problems. Each of the lovely flowers it produces contain thousands of tiny winged wind dispersed seeds. When they land in disturbed areas with plenty of sun and good drainage, such as roadsides, old fields, forest edges, or disturbed riverbanks, they will germinate and thrive. This propensity to establish in disturbed areas displaces native species and alters the ecological community. Once established, the princess tree competes with native plants for nutrients and water. It also produces a dense shade making it difficult for native plants to grow underneath it. And because the roots of the princess tree also grow at an incredible rate, they can burst apart foundations and walls.

Fifteen states, including Pennsylvania and Connecticut, have listed the princess tree as invasive and/or have laws regulating its sale. Although not regulated as an invasive species in New York State, the princess tree has a NY Invasive rank of “moderate” meaning that care needs to be taken to remove it from natural areas, and that it should not be used in parks and preserves with significant environmental value. In our area, the Lower Hudson Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (LHPRISM) considers the princess tree as “established”.

Photo: The side of a rocky hill with irregular outcroppings covered with princess tree saplings. This photo was taken at a time of year when the trees are bare. — An infestation of princess trees on a rocky slope

Once a princess tree establishes itself, it is very hard to control. It is a resilient tree that reproduces asexually through root suckers that are capable of growing up to 15 feet in a single year. When trying to remove a princess tree, if any root fragment is left in the ground, the tree will re-establish itself very quickly. For this reason, mowing small seedlings is not a viable method for removal. Unless the stump is chemically treated, re-sprouting can also occur when large trees are cut down.

A Compromise?

Tree farmers and specialty nurseries are currently exploring princess tree hybrids, which have many of the attributes of Paulownia tomentosa but have not yet been found to be as invasive. They include Paulownia shantong (P. tomentosa × P. fortunei) and Paulownia elongata. With any luck, these hybrid species will beautify the spring landscape without breaking the pavement or becoming a royal pain in the neck!

Identifying the Princess Tree in the Field

Learn More

Paulownia tomentosa – Lower Hudson PRISM

Paulownia tomentosa – North Carolina State Extension

Princess Tree – National Invasive Species Information Center, USDA

The Fastest Growing Trees in the Northeast – Shelterwood Forest Farm

Note: The article ‘The Fastest Growing Trees in the Northeast’ incorrectly states that Paulownia trees such as the princess tree use C4 carbon fixation. Learn more about this common misconception.

Uncategorized

Tree of the Month: Snags

February 15, 2023 sgn32

by Sharon Lunden, Goshen Master Gardener Volunteer

Photo: A dead tree broken off about 10-15 up; very jagged at the top. It has a large hole in it about two-thirds of the way up the tree. It is standing in the middle of a forest full of trees putting just starting to put on their spring foliage. There is very little undergrowth and most trees are quite skinny. Did you know a dead or dying tree is called a snag and that snags serve a vital purpose in the ecosystem? I never seriously considered that until attending a webinar presented by Gillian Martin on The Life of A Dying Tree and was fascinated to learn the many benefits of keeping a snag in your yard and wooded areas. I was curious to know the source of their nickname which, according to etymonline.com is a derivative of an ancient word:

snag (n.)1570s, “stump of a tree, branch,” of Scandinavian origin, compare Old Norse snagi “clothes peg,” snaga “a kind of ax,” snag-hyrndr “snag-cornered, with sharp points.”

You can almost picture a dead tree as a clothespin, and if you played in the woods as a child, you likely noticed or even tripped over the jagged edges of a fallen tree. Fallen trees or parts of trees are called logs, and also provide many benefits to insects and other wildlife.

Photo: Jagged tree stump with a large white overlapping cluster of fungus growing in a stripe up the front of it. The ground in front of the stump is littered with dead leaves, and behind the stump us green leaves of forest understory. — Phlebia tremellosa, a wood-decay fungus

Some of the smallest beneficiaries of a snag are fungi, which begin to break down the dead material. Fungi then become a meal for insects. Snags provide a home for a great many spiders; spider webs are made of a strong silk which is utilized like duct tape in nest building by birds such as the ruby-throated hummingbird. Raptors like the bald eagle utilize dead branches and sticks for building their nests.

Photo: The trunk of a tree with three large holes in a line right down the middle of it. The wholes are oblong and several inches deep. — Cavities created by a pileated woodpecker

Snags provide a home for boring insects. No, insects are not boring, just ask an entomologist! Certain ants, beetles and other invertebrates bore holes to live in, and in turn become dinner for birds like woodpeckers, who also nest in cavities in snags. There are at least twenty cavity nesting woodpeckers and eighty types of cavity nesting birds. The holes that woodpeckers drill in snags provide 47% of the nesting cavities for other birds and creatures who do not do their own excavating: ducks, owls, bats, falcons and over forty song birds, as well as small mammals like squirrels, raccoons and martens, and larger mammals like bear and fox. Thirty percent of our native bees nest in tree cavities!

Reptiles will use downed trees as a place to sun themselves, and many creatures will seek cover from the sun or predators under a log.

Photo: Immature bald eagle perched on a branch of a tall dead tree. The bald eagle is brown with yellow feet and beak and yellow plumage on the top of its head. Behind the tree is a shorter pine tree and blue sky. — Immature bald eagle perched on a dead snag

Since snags have no foliage, they provide an excellent perch with unobstructed views for raptors on the hunt for dinner. The hard wood provides an anvil where birds and small mammals can crack open nuts and seeds or bugs and beetles with a hard exoskeleton. Squirrels and some birds will store food in the cracks and crevices provided in decaying trees.

Logs left on the ground also help prevent runoff, absorbing water and covering the soil.

Of course, in the forest, dead and dying trees pose no threat of injury or damage, however in your own yard you will want to assess the risks of leaving a dying tree in place. Pay close attention and you can tell when a tree is on its way out – woodpeckers are a telltale sign, as are cavities developing below dead limbs.

Photo: Close up of an ash tree in which the bark has fallen off leaving a light tan color area — Woodpecker damage to an ash tree infested with emerald ash borer

A hard snag is a recently dead tree; soft snags have lost all bark and are often already home to woodpeckers and other creatures. As much as possible, retain a snag for as long as possible, however only if it can safely fall over in place, so snags close to your home and other structures likely will need to be removed, or possibly trimmed to remain in place for a longer period. Take the weight of snow into consideration; snow can bring down branches in a hurry. If the snag is surrounded by other healthy trees which prevent it from falling down completely, or near an area where it can fall to the ground without causing damage, consider leaving it in place and allow nature to take its course. Before removing a snag, be aware of what may already be living inside. When taking down a snag, is beneficial to leave the material in the general area, if you are able. A good arborist will be able to assess the possibilities for any snag on your property.

Photo: Large tree in a grassy field with multiple defects, including cracks, decay, dead branches. — Dying Tree

Dead and dying trees offer benefits that live trees cannot and enhance the diversity of wooded areas and the forest. Next time you are out in your yard or in the woods for a hike, look for snags. Observe them closely and consider what they are offering to the surrounding area – hopefully you will find a new appreciation for them.

For more information:

The Cavity Conservation Initiative

The Dying Tree: Nature’s Legacy – Gillian Martin

What is a Snag? – Tree First Arboriculture

To locate a certified arborist:

Trees are Good – International Society of Arboriculture

Gardening Knowledge

Holiday Plants: A Horticultural View

January 20, 2022 sgn32

By Madelene Knaggs, New Windsor Master Gardener Volunteer

The holiday season has come and gone, but let’s take a minute to look back at some of the plants that played such a prominent role in our festivities. Whether we observed Christmas, Chanukkah, Kwanzaa, or the Winter Solstice, trees, herbs and plants were most likely a part of the celebration. Much has been written about the cultural aspects and origins of the plant life used as part of our celebration and seasonal decoration. This article will focus on the geographic origins, growing environment, and propagation of our holiday flora.

Evergreens

Photo: Close up of needles on a pine tree — Pine needles

Christmas and Winter Solstice celebrations throughout the world use evergreens for both decorative and symbolic reasons. The “Yule” or “Christmas” tree is generally a decorated evergreen conifer tree, such as a pine, fir, cedar, juniper, or spruce. The tradition began with ancient civilizations in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. The modern custom developed in 16^th century Germany and became popular in other European nations and North America during the 19^th century. The tree’s decorations and lights symbolized stellar objects, spirits of the dead, religious events, important figures, and sometimes provided edible treats.

Photo: A field of short conical shaped white pine trees — Christmas tree farm

An evergreen is a plant which has green foliage throughout the year and in most colloquial references it applies to coniferous evergreens such as pine, spruce, and fir. Although many characteristics can be used to distinguish one coniferous evergreen from another, let’s concentrate on the needles. Pine trees are easy to distinguish as their needles are bundled in sheaths of two, three, or five needles. If the tree has single needles along the branch, it’s a good chance that it is a fir or a spruce. Fir needles are flat and do not roll between your fingers while spruce needles have four sides and rolls easily between your fingers.

Although some people may go into the woods to find and cut a tree for their celebration, most trees are commercially grown. According to the National Christmas Tree Association it can take anywhere between 4 and 15 years to grow the typical 6-7 foot tree, but the average is 7 years. Spruce and fir are the most popular because of their shape, needle retention, and fragrance. Trees are harvested in the fall when temperatures begin to drop and trees are full hydrated. With proper “watering” a cut tree can last up to month or more indoors and provide festive beauty for the early winter season. So it is possible that you are still enjoying your Christmas tree now.

Holly

Holly (Ilex spp.) provides deep green and rich red color for the winter season. There are many species of holly including our native American holly (Ilex opaca) and common holly (llex aquifolium) which is native to parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. In ancient cultures, the holly tree symbolized the waning sun which leads to the winter solstice. Holly was used to create wreathes to decorate homes. Placing a ring of holly on doors originated in Ireland. Holly decorations were believed to bring protection and good luck to the home’s residents in the coming year.

Hollies have simple leaves that are arranged alternately on the branches. Most hollies have leaves with wavy margins tipped with spines. Although most hollies are evergreens, some species like the native deciduous holly (Ilex decidua) lose their leaves in the fall. Hollies have small white or green flowers that are often overlooked, but their bright red berries provide beautiful winter color and are an important source of food for many bird species.

A large 20 foot conical shaped holly tree — Holly tree

Most holly species are dioecious meaning that they have separate male and female plants. In order to produce seeds, you’ll need one of each. And if you want to have red berries, make sure you get a female plant. Hollies can be a great addition to your home garden. They do best when grown in full sun to part shade and prefer moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil.

Poinsettias

Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) add color and brightness to our winter décor. The colorful ‘petals’ of the poinsettia are actually not petals at all, but modified leaves known as bracts. Poinsettias are natives of Mexico and Central America where they are called ‘Flor de Nochebuena’ or the Christmas Eve Flower. Here in the United States, they are known as poinsettias after Joel Roberts Poinsett, a diplomat and amateur botanist, who introduced the plant into the country in 1828.

Poinsettias grow in temperate coastal climates and will suffer damage if exposed to temperatures below 50°F. The ideal indoor growing temperature for your poinsettias is between 65°F and 70°F and they should be placed in a south, east, or west facing window that receives bright daylight.

Bright red 'leaves' of poinsettias Poinsettias are an attractive green plant most of the year and come late spring they can be brought outside and either kept in containers or transplanted into a part-sun garden that gets four to five hours of sun a day. Getting your green poinsettia to change color for the holiday season is an onerous task and requires excluding light from the plant for period of time while still keeping the plant healthy. Click here for a complete guide to year-round poinsettia care. Good luck if you decide to try and get your poinsettias to re-bloom this coming winter!

Mistletoe

Photo: Large tree barren of leaves but covered with sevral large green balls of mistletoe Mistletoe has long been associated with winter holiday traditions and is the common name for several families of poisonous, evergreen parasitic plants. In nature mistletoe can been found attached to and penetrating the branches of trees and shrubs alike. According to Norse legends, couples who met under hanging mistletoe were obliged to kiss. Here in North America mistletoe is commonly used as a Christmas decoration and is generally a plant from the genus Phoradendron.

Mistletoe (Phoradendron spp.) produces small berries that are a favorite wintertime snack for birds. The seeds then pass through the bird and are excreted high up in the trees where the birds roost. Its seeds are sticky to keep them from falling to the ground, where they would be unable to sprout and develop into mature plants.

Christmas Cactus

Photo: Bright pink flower of a Christmas catcus The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) is a hybrid bred from plants native to the coastal mountains of Brazil. This popular holiday plant has beautiful blooms in early winter. Although full sunlight is beneficial during fall and winter, bright sun during the summer months can make plants look pale and yellow. Christmas cacti depend upon shorter day lengths and cooler temperatures to set their flower buds. Once flower buds are set do not let temperatures rise above 90°F or the buds will drop. The holiday cacti are tolerant of dry, slightly under-watered conditions and tend to thrive when pot bound. When properly tended, this blooming succulent can live for a 100 years!

Salvia

The salvia plant (Salvia fruticosa) also known as Greek sage is native to the eastern Mediterranean. Its structure resembles the description of the menorah found in the book of Exodus and is likely the floral candidate after which the menorah was modeled. Salvias are members of the mint family and have square stems and are usually strongly aromatic with leaves rich in essential oils.

If you want to add a salvia plant to your garden, there are many species to choose from. There are both annuals and perennials and come in a wide range of sizes and colors. Ornamental salvias produce beautiful flower spikes that attract a variety of pollinators with their sweet fragrance and colorful blooms.

Corn

Photo: Multi-colored corn Corn is one of the seven symbols used during Kwanzaa celebrations. Muhindi (moo-heen’-dee) means corn and represents children and the future. Corn was first domesticated by peoples in southern Mexico about 10,000 years ago and it is believed to have been derived from a wild grass known as teosinte (Zea mays parviglumis).

When most people think of corn they think of sweet corn, but most corn grown in the United States is actually field corn which unlike sweet corn, is harvested when the kernels are hard and dry. Field corn is used as livestock feed and used to make corn starch, whiskey, oils, margarines, and bio-fuels. The United States is the largest corn producer in the world and it is grown in most parts of the country including Alaska and Hawaii. Corn does best with warm, sunny growing weather (75–86°F) and moderate rains.

As you can see, plants play an important part in holiday celebrations and have very diverse horticultural origins and applications. As you continue to enjoy this winter season, think about planting or propagating these symbols as a way to personalize your holiday celebration next winter!

Uncategorized

Tree of the Month: Eastern White Pine

December 17, 2021 sgn32

“O Christmas Tree”

by Becky Stage, Florida Master Gardener Volunteer

Photo: A field of short conical shaped white pine trees It is believed that the Christmas tree originated in Latvia in the early 1500s and the tradition was brought to the United States by German settlers in the 1800s. It was originally tabletop size but soon became floor to ceiling size. Christmas trees started to be sold commercially in the United States in 1851. At that time, Christmas trees were harvested from forests. Eventually conservationists became concerned that the natural supply of evergreens was being decimated, which lead to the creation of Christmas Tree Farms. The first Christmas Tree Farm in the United States was started in New Jersey in 1901 and grew Norway spruce trees.

The eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), also known as white pine, northern white pine, northern pine, and soft pine, is a very popular Christmas tree. It is native to New York and all of eastern North America, from Canada down to northern Georgia and Alabama.

Photo: Several towering white pine trees The eastern white pine is a very large tree, fifty to eighty feet tall and twenty to forty feet wide. It can often be identified by its lone silhouette as it towers over other trees in the forest or by its wide base and gradual layering of upswept branches up to the top. Pine trees are easy to distinguish from other conifers as they are the only conifer that has their needles bundled in sheaths known as fasicles. Eastern white pine needles are blue/green to silver/green in color and 2-5 inches long. It is easy to distinguish from other pines in our area, because it is the only one that has five needles in each fasicle.

Photo: Large conical shaped eastern white oine tree Somewhere between 25-35 million live Christmas trees are sold in the United States each year. When grown as a Christmas tree, the eastern white pine is cut at six feet and is usually sheared. It takes 6-8 years to produce an eastern white pine Christmas tree whereas it takes other an average 15 years for other Christmas tree species making it very profitable for Christmas tree growers.

The eastern white pine prefers to grow in locations that get lots of sun and have moist, sandy loam soils. It will tolerate some shade and although it will grow on rocky ridges and wet sphagnum bogs, it will not be as magnificent as when grown in its ideal conditions.

Photo: Deep fissured bark of a mature eastern white pine tree — Mature bark

This pine excels as a Christmas tree as it has good to excellent needle retention and very little aroma which is a plus for those who suffer with allergies. On the down side, the branches do not support much weight and it is recommended not to put heavy ornaments on them.

The bark on young eastern white pine trunks and branches is smooth and tends to be greenish-brown in color. As the tree ages the bark becomes dark gray and deeply fissured. mo

Photo: Clusters of upright,light brown male cones on the ends of branches — Male cones

All pines are gymnosperms, which means that they have neither flowers nor fruits. Instead of flowers they produce male and female cones. The seeds of conifers are not protected by a fruit, they are naked hence the name “gymnosperm” which comes from the Greek meaning “naked seed”.

Eastern white pines are monoecious meaning that both male and female cones occur on the same tree. Cones are produced in the spring with the male cones located near the bottom of the tree and the female flowers higher up on the tree. Pines are wind pollinated and the cone placement helps prevent self-pollination.

Photo: A single dried mature female come hanging off a branch — Mature female cone

The female cones of the eastern white pine are 4-8 inches long and slightly curved. They start out green and become light brown as they ripen. After pollination, two seeds develop on top of each scale on the cone. The seeds mature at the end of the second season and drop out after the cone dries. Mature cones often remain attached to the tree for several months before they fall off.

The eastern white pine is very sensitive to air pollution and salt spray. It also is susceptible to insect pests include the white pine weevil, the white pine shoot borer, aphids, bagworms, bark beetles, sawflies, and scale. There are also several diseases that affect white pine trees.

If you are still looking for a Christmas tree, consider getting an eastern white pine. It is a beautiful tree with its soft, luxurious needles and low allergenic properties. And don’t forget to support our local farmers:

Christmas Tree Farms in Orange County New York

And if you are looking for great native tree to add to your landscape, eastern white pines are a great addition. You can plant a towering tree or a dwarf cultivar. They are commonly used as windbreaks and screen. And eastern white pines help support a wide range of wildlife providing both food and shelter to several mammal species and a whole host of bird species.

Detailed drawing of cones, seeds and needles of eastern white pine tree

Resources

Basic Information

Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) – Woody Plant Database, Cornell University

Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) – Plant Database, University of Connecticut

Trees of the Adirondacks: Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) – Adirondacks Forever Wild

Care

Pruning Evergreens – Colorado State Extension

Pruning Pines – Michigan State University Extension

White Pine Planting and Care – Tending White Pine – Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Problems

Dieback of Eastern White Pine – University of Massachusetts Extension

Eastern White Pine: Modern Disease Threats to a Historically Important Species – Penn State University

Eastern White Pine Problems – Missouri Botanical Garden

Pine Diseases – Penn State Extension

Pines: What’s Wrong with My Plant? – University of Minnesota Extension

White Pine Weevil – Colorado State Extension

Uncategorized

The Acorn Story

November 17, 2021 sgn32

By Claudine Sullivan, Walden Master Gardener Volunteer

Several acorns hanging in an oak tree wich has leaves that have started to turn brown One of the most recognizable symbols of fall is a branch of oak leaves and a couple of acorns. Oak trees (Quercus spp.) have been around for approximately 55 million years old, with the oldest North American specimen being 44 million years old. Long before pumpkins and corn stalks came to symbolize harvest and bounty, people depended on the humble acorn and majestic oak tree for sustenance and shelter. Today we think of oak trees in terms of shade, firewood, and sturdy furniture, but as acorns can be stored for long periods of time and the flour made from them is quite nutritious for thousands of years acorns were the main food staple for people in balanocultures.

A photo looking up at the top of a massive oak tree — Black oak

Oak trees are a dominant plant in many forest ecosystems and currently there are about 500 species of oaks growing in temperate and tropical climates throughout the world. There are about 90 species of oak trees native to the United States including eleven here in New York.

All oak trees produce acorns, this is the fruit and contains a nutrient rich seed. It can be hard to imagine that a single acorn can become a 200-year-old tree cable of producing millions of other acorns. Acorn production does not begin until an oak tree is about 20 years old, with peak production when the tree is between 50 to 80 years old. After that acorn production tapers off, although some trees will produce acorns well into their second century and beyond.

A photo of the rounded-lobed leaves of a white oak tree. — White oak leaves

Oaks in North American are divided into two groups: White Oaks and Red (Black) Oaks. Each group has distinct leaf shape and acorn production strategy. White or annual oaks have rounded-lobed leaves, flower later in the spring than red oaks, and have sweet tasting acorns that mature in one season. The acorns of the white oaks can start to germinate as soon as they hit the ground in the fall.

A photo of the pointed-lobed leaves of a norther red oak. — Northern red oak leaves

Red or biennial oaks have pointed-lobed leaves, flower earlier in the spring than white oaks, and have bitter tasting acorns that take two years to mature. Because their acorns take two years to mature, it is possible to have two seasons of acorns on each twig. The acorns of the red oaks need a period of cold stratification that lasts 6-8 weeks in order to germinate.

Oaks Native to New York State

White / Annual Oaks	Red / Biennial Oaks
Bear Oak Quercus ilicifolia	Chestnut Oak Quercus montana
Chinkapin Oak Quercus muehlenbergii	Black Oak Quercus velutina
Dwarf Chinkapin Oak Quercus prinoides	Northern Red Oak Quercus rubra
Post Oak Quercus stellata	Pin Oak Quercus palustris
Swamp White Oak Quercus bicolor	Scarlet oak Quercus coccin
White Oak Quercus alba

Photo: Clump of long cascading catkins covered with tiny flowers — Pin oak catkins

Both white and red oaks are monoecious meaning they have separate male and female flowers found on the same plant. Flowering begins in early spring, just before the leaves start to emerge. The male flowers are produced on long catkins and are the first to bloom. After about two weeks, the inconspicuous female flowers will open. Female flowers are sometimes mistaken for leaf buds and can be found on both upper branches and new twigs, just at the base of new leaves. They can only truly be appreciated with a magnifying glass.

Photo: Tiny red flowers located on the stem at the base of a leaf. — Northern red oak female flowers

The male flowers shed their pollen and the wind carries it to the female flowers of neighboring trees. If the male flowers were above the female, the tree would more likely self-pollinate, so to ensure cross-pollination female flowers are located high in the tree, above the male flowers. Weather can affect acorn production. A rainy, damp spring will suppress pollination as the pollen will be washed to the ground. A cold snap can also kill the female flowers. Once fertilization occurs, a dry spell or other stressors can cause the tree to abort the acorns to conserve the trees resources.

When all environmental factors work together, oak trees can produce an overabundance of acorns in what scientists call a “mast year.” The term mast comes from Old English word meaning “fat” or “food” and can be traced back to the same word origin that gave us “meat”. Perhaps that’s why the insides of nuts is called “the meat”. In a mast year, one mature oak tree can produce 10,000 acorns. Not every year is a mast year and not all trees have them in the same year. In fact, the exact cause of a “mast year” is still not completely understood. Scientists hypothesize that factors including weather and evolutionary adaptation play a part in this natural phenomenon.

Photo: Two acorns on the ground, one is slightly cracked and has begun to sprout. — Germinating acorn

When it comes to acorn production scientist have observed a two to five year production cycle that includes a mast crop year, a few average years, and a poor year. Why have oaks (and other nut trees) developed this interesting quirk? One hypothesis is that it is a survival strategy. Oak trees depend on small mammals such as chipmunks and squirrels, and birds such as blue jays and woodpeckers for seed dispersal. When there is an overabundance of acorns produced not all of them will be eaten, ensuring that some of them will be able to germinate and grow into trees.

Gray squirrel eating something in its hands — Gray squirrel

The acorn production cycle also has huge effects on the forest food web. Just under 100 species depend on the acorn as a primary source of food including birds, black bears, chipmunks, deer, mice, and squirrels. When the forest floor is full of acorns, the species that depend on the acorns for food have an easier winter. This results in an increase in the animal population the following year. Mast years use a lot of the tree’s resources, so they are often followed by a few years of lean or average acorn production. In years when there are fewer acorns, fewer animals survive, keeping the population in balance.

Blacklegged tick crawling on a piece of cloth — Blacklegged tick

An interesting study conducted in southeastern New York shows that mast years not only effect the animal population that eat acorns, but it also effects tick populations that feed on the acorn eaters. After a mast year, populations of chipmunks, squirrels, and white-footed mice increase. These small mammals are key to the life cycle of the blacklegged or deer tick (Ixodes scapularis), the only vector for Lyme disease in the northeastern United States.

A diagram of the lifecycle of a black-legged tick: Eggs hatch in the spring. In the summer the larvae feed on small animals such as birds and mice. The following spring nymphs feed on larger animals such as deer, fox, squirrels, and humans. Risk of human infection greatest in late spring and summer. In the fall adults feed on large animals such as deer, fox and humans. The adults lay eggs the following spring. — Lifecycle of the black-legged tick

When tick eggs hatch in spring, the emerging larvae are not infected with Lyme disease. Their first host is usually a small mammal. If their first host is a carrier of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, the ticks become infected. After feeding, the larval ticks drop-off their hosts and molt into nymphs. The following spring the nymphs, which now may carry Lyme disease, search for new hosts, and this time they are more likely to chose a large animal such as a deer or a human. As a result it has been observed that two years after an acorn mast year, Lyme disease cases see an uptick.

So next time you step on an acorn or hear one go THUNK! on your car or shed roof, remember that it is much more that just a fall decoration.

Photo: a single acorn lying on the ground near some moss

Uncategorized

Tree of the Month: Black Willow

July 30, 2021 sgn32

By Cecille Jones, Monroe Master Gardener Volunteer

This article appeared in the July 2021 Issue of Gardening in Orange County.

Willows include more than 400 trees and shrubs from the Salix genus. New York boasts more than 15 native willow species. Whether it’s a balsam willow, bearberry willow, heart-shaped willow, pussy willow, peach-leaf willow, or sageleaf willow, they all have similar characteristics. All are moisture-loving plants native to temperate and cold regions in the Northern Hemisphere. They range in size from low ground-hugging shrubs to giant trees towering up to 90 feet.

Black willows along the water's edge in a wetland area — Black willows line a stream bank

Regardless of stature, willows play an important role in maintaining the health and vigor of many wetland environments. First and foremost, willows reduce erosion. They have large and expansive root systems that grip sediment and keep shorelines in place. As a result, they are used in many habitat-restoration projects.

A secondary benefit, willows grow fast and propagate easily. Moreover, they are known to cleanse the environment of toxins by sequestering high levels of heavy metals such as cadmium.

With their densely branched and foliated leaves, willows help to reduce the water temperature in wetlands adjacent to rivers and streams, helping protect cold water fish such as trout and perch.

Bumble bee collecting nectar from a willow catkin — Bumblebee visiting a willow catkin

Finally, willows produce beautiful catkins in the spring, providing a food source for pollinating insects. Caterpillars feast on their leaves, and birds use their tightly clustered branches to nest and hide from predators.

In landscaping, willows can be used to create living fences, or even sculptures. However, be cautious about planting willows near sewer lines or water pipes. Because willows seek out underground water, their roots will penetrate a water main or sewer line, resulting in thousands of dollars in repairs.

For people looking to help restore wetland habitat to its former glory, willows make the perfect choice. A good example of one such willow is the black willow (Salix nigra). This tree is the largest and most important among the willows. They prefer cool climates and thrive in plant hardiness zones 2 through 8. They hold the distinction of having one of the most extensive ranges across the United States.

Large black willow tree on the edge of a field — Black willow (Salix nigra)

The black willow is considered a small to medium-sized tree, growing between 10–60 feet. Leaf blades are up to 5 inches long, narrow and tapering to an elongated tip, with margins finely serrated. They bloom from April to May and have bright yellow-green twigs that bear yellow-green catkins. They bear inconspicuous clusters, with male and female flowers on separate trees.

Balck willow tree in bloom — Black willow in early spring

Black willows often have several trunks up to 14 inches in diameter growing out of one root. These trees are topped by a broad, irregular crown that provides ample shade in summer. Usually found along stream banks, swamps, farm ponds and pasture sloughs, black willows love moisture but will also tolerate drier soil, although that reduces vigor.

One of the lightest of eastern hardwoods, the black willow is paradoxical. It is structurally weak, but when nails are driven into it, black willow wood does not split. Being light and flexible, black willow wood was once used to make artificial limbs. Today, it is often used to make shipping boxes and toys.

Uncategorized

Tree of the Month: Sweet Crabapple Tree

June 30, 2021 sgn32

By Kimberly Marshall, Washingtonville Master Gardener Volunteer

This article appeared in the June 2021 Issue of Gardening in Orange County.

As more of us try to incorporate native plants into our landscapes and home-gardening plans, it’s easy to overlook the benefits of planting native trees. Just like the flowers and shrubs we tend to think about as being great food for pollinators, birds, and other native animals, trees native to our area provide all these benefits too (and more).

White flowering crabapple tree — Sweet crabapple tree

Take, for example, the native sweet crabapple tree, or Malus coronaria (which is part of the Rosaceae family). Other than providing food and nesting areas for native birds, this small- to medium-sized tree (usually around twenty to thirty feet tall, with a broad top) also attracts a number of native bees and feeds other creatures, like turkeys, rabbits, and deer. The tree tends to flower about two weeks later than the domestic apple—generally from March to June—and it holds onto its fruit long after it sheds its leaves, providing food for local critters long into the autumnal season.

The sweet crabapple can be typically identified by its grey- to reddish-brown bark, separated on the surface into scale-like fissures. When fully mature, it’s a bushy shrub with contorted branches that some people say resembles the bonsai tree because of the way the branches tangle and jut out at strange angles.

In the spring, the tree puts forth cheerful, rosy-white blooms that can sometimes be more white or pink, depending on the tree. Its fruit, small (about two inches in diameter) and bitter, contains high amounts of malic acid. These crabapples are not usually eaten straight off of the tree, but are cooked and used to make preserves (as they’re naturally full of pectin), apple cider, pies, and vinegar. They can also be buried underground to neutralize their acidity over the winter, or you can sweeten them with sugar. Some people dry the apples over a fire or in the sun, and store them for later use.

Since they are native to our area, it should come as no surprise that these trees were greatly utilized by Native Americans and early English settlers. Since the tree is on the smaller side, the wood—which is heavy and dense, but also close-grained and flexible—was mainly used to craft into handles for tools, for woodcarving, or to burn as fuel for fires. The bark could be used to make a yellow dye, but it was also prized for its medicinal properties. It was used to treat gallstones, sore mouths, malaria, and tuberculosis, among other common ailments.

When these trees grow in the area naturally, they tend to stick to the edges of our forests, open pastures, old fields, and streambanks. And while the tree’s main region is centered in and around the Great Lakes, Malus coronaria also grows in other areas, mainly along the Ohio River Valley, southern Ontario, and several adjacent states.

Cedar apple rust on apple - yellow spots with red halos on leaf — Cedar-apple rust on apple leaf

Cedar Apple Rust Gall on Cedar Tree - Orange pom-pom-esque growth — Cedar-apple rust gall on cedar

Since these trees are extremely susceptible to rust, it’s recommended that you plant them at least 500 feet from any cedars you might have on your property (especially the Eastern red cedar, Juniperus virginiana), as the proximity of these trees can cause cedar-apple rust to wreak havoc on your crabapples. This is a fungus that needs two hosts—both the apple and the cedar—to grow. On the crabapple, the cedar-apple rust tends to manifest as small, rust-colored spots on the leaves, while the fungus takes an entirely different form on the cedar, growing large, round, and orange, gummy-looking structures that almost look like they’re growing gooey orange tentacles.

Cluster of Pink Flowers of a Sweet Crabapple Tree — Pink sweet crabapple blossoms

Although the Malus coronaria is a beautiful tree, especially when its fragrant flowers bloom in the spring, many people tend to shy away from this crabapple because of its susceptibility to pests and diseases. But gardeners who do want to grow these trees can do so from seed, which can produce some different-colored flowers. The tree can also be used as rootstock for grafting cultivated apples and is revered for its hardiness.

If you’re interested in growing this ornamental tree, plant it in an area of your yard that has well-drained, loamy soil. It does best in a sunny to partially shaded location. Again, make sure there are no cedars close by, and remember to check often for any signs of disease, such as small rust-colored spots on the leaves or a blackish canker on the bark, stem, or branches. If you find any of these symptoms, you will have to prune the affected areas before the disease spreads to save the tree and treat it appropriately before the disease gets out of control. However, if you’ve given your crabapple tree the proper growing conditions, it should remain relatively pest- and disease-free and bring you many years of enjoyment.

Gardener's Checklist, June

Gardener’s Check List

June 17, 2021 sgn32

June 2021

Garden Maintenance

Water in the morning, allowing plants to dry before nightfall.

Water newly planted trees and shrubs weekly.

Continue to divide spring-flowering perennials.

Plant summer flowering bulbs like dahlias, gladiolas, and lilies.

Remove emerging weeds before they take over your garden.

Learn how to make your garden more attractive for beneficial insects – pollinators and natural enemies.

Virtual Workshop: Gardening for Beneficial Insects: Bees, Butterflies, and Natural Enemies – Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County

Pest Watch

Do a daily tick check!

Get your ticks tested for free! – Upstate Medical University

Be on the look out for spotted lanternfly nymphs.

Spotted Lanternfly Look-alikes – Virginia Cooperative Extension

Dump out any standing water from containers in your yard to prevent mosquito breeding.

How to Manage Mosquitoes in the Landscape – New York State Integrated Pest Management

Scout your plants often for pests.

What Kind of Insect is Destroying my Plants?– Gardening in Orange County Blog

Vegetable Gardening

Prune and trellis your tomato plants.

Harvest and eat your garlic scapes.

Seed green beans, radishes, and heat-tolerant greens every two weeks.

Vegetable Planing Guide – Cornell Cooperative Extension

Most vegetable plants need about an inch of water a week. Water plants at the base to avoid getting the leaves wet.

Continue to remove weeds, as they compete with your garden plants for water, sunlight, and space.

Get outside and enjoy nature!

White spider camoflagued on a white daisy nabbing a fly

Uncategorized

Pest Watch: Gypsy Moth

May 28, 2021 sgn32

By Karen McCarthy, Newburgh Master Gardener Volunteer

This article appeared in the May 2021 Issue of Gardening in Orange County.

Years ago, hiking with friends in Orange County in July, we noticed something was “off.” It was too bright in the forest, and we heard a sound like rain. Looking up, we realized we were in an area infested with gypsy moth caterpillars that had eaten most of the leaves, creating more light than shade. The sound we heard was falling caterpillar excrement. A ruined hike!

The gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) is native to Europe and was introducedto the United States in 1868 by a French scientist in Massachusetts hoping to breed a silk-spinning caterpillar that was resistant to disease. Some of his moths escaped and are now found as far west as Minnesota and as far south as South Carolina.

The gypsy moth is one of the most important forest pests in our area as the larvae gorge themselves on shrub and tree leaves, leaving them bare and susceptible to disease. They cause millions of dollars of damage every year. They will feed on a wide variety of tree species, but prefer oaks, apples, birches, poplars, and willows.

Lifecycle

Gypsy moths spend most of the year as eggs. These egg masses can contain 500 to 1000 eggs and can be found on trees, firewood, outdoor household items, mobile homes, etc . Depending on the weather, in our area gypsy moth eggs will hatch in late April or early May.

Once the larvae emerge, they begin to move upwards into the canopy of a tree. Some larvae will stay in that tree to complete their lifecycle while others will spin a long silken thread and suspend themselves in the air waiting for a strong wind the carry to another tree; this is know as ‘ballooning.’ Once the ballooning larvae settle on a new host it will begin feeding.

In June or early July, gypsy moth caterpillars will stop feeding and pupate. Two weeks later they will emerge as adults. Male moths are brown with black markings while female moths are white with black markings. Female moths do NOT fly which means that ballooning larvae is one of the most important means of dispersal. Of course humans also play a large role in the dispersal of this invasive species. A great time to remind you: “Don’t Move Fire Wood!”
Adult gyps moths do not eat and are only around for about two weeks. Males usually emerge first and wait for the females, who put out a pheromone to attract them. After mating the females lay eggs and then die.

Management

Overwintering egg masses can be scraped off trees and destroyed before they hatch in late April and early May. Young caterpillars,
less than one inch in length, can be killed using the biopesticde Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). When using any pesticide read and follow all the instructions on the label!

Once caterpillars hatch they climb up the tree in search of food, so tree bands made of duct tape with the sticky side out or another nonporous material smeared with a stick substance can be used to trap them. For a severe infestation you may need to contact a local arborist. Find one at https://www.treesaregood.org/. Repeated annual defoliation can result in the death of a tree.

‘Fun’ Facts

One two-inch gypsy moth caterpillar can consume up to one square foot of foliage every 24 hours.

In places where there are 250 or more egg masses per acre, larvae can defoliate the infested trees.

Ballooning gypsy moth caterpillars can travel up to mile.

In Ohio, where gypsy moths have not yet established themselves throughout the state, they deploy 12,000 gypsy moth traps across the state to monitor movement and evaluate, detect or delineate newly established colonies.