Welcome to Trees Atlanta's blog, Tree Speech.  We established this blog to ensure that our urban forest can exercise its First Amendment rights.  This blog will highlight the great work that our volunteers are doing to protect and improve the Atlanta metro area's urban forest by planting, conserving and educating.  Tree Speech will also serve as a forum for celebrating trees and for talking about current issues our metro area’s trees are facing, some of our city’s great native trees and topics impacting urban forestry.  Check back often for updates, and thanks for reading.

 

Trees Atlanta Honored by Wells Fargo at Days of Giving Event

December 1, 2010

By Tree Blogger

Trees Atlanta was honored by Wells Fargo with a $1,000 grant at the company’s Days of Giving ceremony at the Trees Atlanta Kendeda Center in Atlanta on November 17. The donation to Trees Atlanta is among contributions to 240 non-profit groups, each for $1,000, to organizations across Atlanta made at five community breakfasts.  The company began the program in Atlanta last year and in 2010 expanded it by more than a third.  Before the program began, Wells Fargo had not supported many of the groups before.

"These unrestricted dollars will allow us to continue to help the community," said Marcia Bansley.  "With the economy still suffering, the money couldn’t come at a better time."

"A hallmark of Wells Fargo is local decision-making and local involvement," said Gary Davis, business banking leader for Atlanta.  "Through Days of Giving, we’re connecting with local communities in a whole new way."  He added that Trees Atlanta was selected by frontline employees of the company for the honor.

Across Atlanta Wells Fargo has 5,000 employees and serves half of all Atlanta households.  It has nearly 200 bank locations. Wells Fargo will make a total of $5 million in contributions to some 500 groups across Georgia in 2010.

Added Davis, "We know the needs continue to be great across our area, especially now.  This is a new way to help more people and more groups that we haven’t been able to reach in the past."

 

It’s Tree-Greeting Time Again

November 16 , 2010

By Tree Blogger

Yup, the December holidays are just around the corner! Your friends and family members have enough useless tchotchkes. This year give holiday gifts that the whole city will enjoy by sending Tree Greetings to everyone on your list. For just $25 per friend-- and per tree-- Trees Atlanta will plant an oak, maple, or other shade tree and will send your honoree a festive card announcing your thoughtfulness. A Tree Greeting is the perfect gift: one size fits all, no giftwrap required! The 2010 card features “Snow Cones,” Deborah Dance’s dramatic photograph of snow caught in the curled leaves of an American beech. They look like ice cream cones filled with shaved ice! (To see more of Dance’s work, visit www.banksidephotos.com.)

To order Tree Greetings, send the names and addresses of those on your gift list along with a check for $25 per giftee and tree to Trees Atlanta, 225 Chester Avenue, SE, Atlanta 30316. Or, order on-line at www.treesatlanta.org. We’ll send a Tree-Greeting to each name on your list. (Or, if you prefer, just let us know and we’ll send the cards to you so you can address the cards yourself and add personal messages.)

"Snow Cones" by Deborah Dance

100 Trees for 100 Years

October 30, 2010

By Tree Blogger

Trees Atlanta has promised 100 shade trees as part of Decatur’s Oakhurst neighborhood’s 100th anniversary. The plantings honor the memory of Trees Atlanta friend and Oakhurst Community Garden founder, the late Sally Wylde. Sixty-two of the trees were planted on Saturday, October 30, by volunteers from Trees Atlanta, Emory, Georgia Tech, and the Oakhurst community-- including Wylde’s widower Britt Dean, Oakhurst Community Garden co-founder Louise Jackson, and Decatur City commissioner Patti Garrett.

Financial support comes from the UPS Foundation and the Decatur Craft Beer Festival. (“Brown” for green and beer for trees, now that’s ingenious cooperation!)  However, additional support is needed for the second installment of planting, and also for TLC for all the trees once they’re in place, so please consider sponsoring a tree.($150 per tree.) Mail checks made out to Trees Atlanta at 225 Chester Avenue, SE, Atlanta 30316 or donate at www.treesatlanta.org. Any amount will be appreciated. (Trees Atlanta is a non-profit 501(C)3 organization and all contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of Georgia law.)

Trees Atlanta has planted more than 600 trees in Oakhurst since 1996, and helped to organize the Friends of Oakhurst Greenspace (FROGS). Joint projects have included removal of kudzu and other invasive plants and replanting native species. Oakhurst is home to one of Trees Atlanta’s seven Neighborhood Arboreta.

Stay tuned for upcoming details about the second half (or the remaining 38%) of the century of trees project. You’ll want to throw on your planting clothes and join in on the fun, in yet another project that enhances the metro tree canopy.

 

Tree of the Day from the Tree Sale:  Devil's Walking Stick (Aralia spinosa)

September 27 , 2010

By Tree Blogger

The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees describes it as a "spiny, aromatic, thicket-forming shrub or small tree" with a "stout, usually unbranched trunk and very large compound leaves, and big clusters of tiny flowers."  It can grow as high as 30'.  We're told that early settlers used the spicy roots and fruit as a cure for toothaches!

Look for additional "Trees of the Days" as we approach Tree-D-Day.  Mark your calendars:  Saturday, October 9, from 8 to 2, at Trees Atlanta for the 11th Annual Trees Atlanta Tree Sale!

 

What's 11 into 25?

September 26 , 2010

By Tree Blogger

Don't worry about the math, just come to Trees Atlanta's 11th Annual Tree Sale in its 25th year.  On Saturday, October 9, 2010, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the "backyard" at Trees Atlanta's Kendeda Center, 225 Chester Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30316.  We'll have more than 1,000 plants--some 200 species of trees, shrubs, and tree-friendly vines--awaiting you.

This year's sale, sponsored by Turner Broadcasting System, focuses on shade trees and native varieties that are disappearing from Atlanta's urban landscape.  You're unlikely to find our offerings at local nurseries--landscapers seldom plant them--and yet they're important botanically, ecologically, and historically.  (See, we told you there was no math involved.)

The Tree Sale raises dollars for NeighborWoods, our volunteer tree planting and conservation program.  So you can shop for your yard and garden and do a civic good deed at the same time!

 

A Great Tree Read...

September 2 , 2010

By Tree Blogger

Looking for a little bit of wind-down time in the great outdoors?  Try sitting in a comfy spot beneath your favorite tree with Lives of the Trees: An Uncommon History by Diana Wells (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2010, $19.95).  This chatty "biography" offers fascinating lore about one hundred tree species, listed in alphabetical order from acacia to yew.  Heather Lovett's simple pencil drawings gently illustrate its 349 .

 

 

 Author Diana Wells says that her book is "for nonexperts" and counts herself as one.  She adds, "Our long relationship with trees is a story of friendship.  The human race, we are told, emerged in the branches of trees and most of us have depended on them ever since, for food, shade, shelter, and fuel." 

And so her book is about the historical, cultural, human aspects of trees.  For example, you'll learn that several ginkgos, sturdy descendants of trees from the time of the dinosaur, survived the blast at Hiroshima, "even putting out leaves the following year"; that "not to give a fig" is really a sexual slur; and why the neem tree used to be referred to as "the village pharmacy." 

While it may not be your arborist's choice of tree reading, Lives of the Trees entertains and enlightens us "nonexperts" who love trees.  It looks at trees from an intriguingly novel point of view.

 

Ostrya, Beech, Mockernut, and Holly...

August 25, 2010

By Tree Blogger

No, it's not a Buckhead law firm, but rather a partial listing of some of the extraordinary varieties of trees, plarnts, and tree-friendly vines that will be offered in Trees Atlanta's 11th Annual Tree Sale.  The 2010 sale focuses on shade trees and native varieties that are disappearing from Atlanta's urban landscape.  These hard-to-find trees are not usually available for sale at nurseries, and local landscapers seem to ignore them.  (So sad!) 

Special trees to look for at the October 9th sale include beech, swamp chestnut oak, ostrya, mockernut hickory, turkey oak, walnut, Virginia pine, yellow berried American holly, contorted weeping redbud, weeping bald cypress, dwarf bald cypress, yellowwood, and pawpaw.  We'll also be offering some non-invasive exotic trees and plants, including camellia, ginkgo, dawn redwood, and a variety of columnar parrotia.  have no fear:  experts will be on hand to help with tree selection and to offer planting instructions and recommendations.

The Trees Atlanta 11th Annual Tree Sale is a terrific opportunity to find something special for your yard or garden, whether you're looking for a native variety or something a little more exotic.  And, the sale is a fundraiser for NeighborWoods, Trees Atlanta's volunteer tree planting and conservation program.  Buy a tree and, in addition to enhancing your personal landscape, you'll help support Trees Atlanta's efforts to plant and maintain trees in public spaces around Atlanta!

Mark your calendar:  Saturday, October 9, 2010, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Trees Atlanta Kendeda Center, 225 Chester Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30316.

 

Word of the Week: `ohana

August 19 , 2010

By Tree Blogger                                       

It means "family" in Hawaiian and can be used in the broadest sense of the word, i.s. the family of man, as in Hawaii born-and-raised singer-songwriter-surfer-filmmaker Jack Johnson's Ohana Charitable Foundation.  Johnson and his band are committed to raising environmental awareness via the Foundation and their All At Once Campaign, which promises to match fans' donations to the local charities featured in The Village Green area at each of his shows.

And that's where Trees Atlanta comes into the picture.  We've been chosen as an All at Once non-profit for the 2010 Jack Johnson Tour (our second year!).  Join us at The Village Green at the Aarons Amphitheater at Lakewood on Friday, August 20, 2010, as we educate about the importance of trees.  The Jack Johnson Ohana Charitabl Foundation has already pledged $500 to Trees Atlanta and will match up to $2,500 in funds we raise when donations reference the Jack Johnson Tour.

Donate now through October 15 to this special campaign--remember to mention the Jack Johnson Tour when making your donation!--and your gift will have double the impact.

Congratulations to Melissa Manrow, Kelley Noonan Jensen and Cory Anna Jones for winning tickets to the August 20 concert by participating in the Trees Atlanta social media challenge!

 

Atlantans Busy Shooting Trees...

August 11 , 2010

By Tree Blogger 

...with their cameras, of course! Local photographers have submitted 159 entries in response to Trees Atlanta’s "My Favorite Tree" photo contest.  David Knox and Kathryn Kolb--Atlanta photographers who share a personal interest in tree photography-- will judge the entries and will announce the winner after September 1, 2010. The winners and many of the other entries will be on view at a "push-pin exhibit" in October, as part of Atlanta Celebrates Photograph (www.acpinfo.org), with an opening event on Friday, October 8, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Trees Atlanta’s Kendeda Center. Mark your calendar to come see how trees vary in the eyes--and camera lenses--of the beholder!  See the work of our judges:

Oconee, Tennessee, 2000 by David Knox (knoxphoto.com)     Tulip Poplar by Kathryn Kolb (kathrynkolb.com)                

And You Thought YOU Were Hot...

July 12 , 2010

By Tree Blogger 

It's hot y'all.  We're talking almost 100 degrees hot.  Even though MetroAtlanta isn't technically in a drought this summer, Atlanta's trees have been baking to a crisp during our hot, dry summer days.  Trees Atlanta is on the case and we have put "Tree - No 911" into action to keep our trees watered.  Our staff and volunteers are out daily using rainwater captured from our rooftop and stored at the Trees Atlanta Kendeda Center as well as water captured from the flushing of City of Atlanta fire hydrants to keep Atlanta trees green and healthy.

On average, trees require a minimum of one inch of water per week over their entire root zone to remain healthy.  This goes for newly planted trees AND mature trees. If it hasn't rained in a couple of weeks, it is time to give your trees a drink (within local watering restrictions, of course).  Water in the morning before 10:00 a.m. and make sure your trees have plenty of mulch around their critical root zone (think 2 inches from the trunk spread out evenly across the ground to a few inches beyond the tips of the tree branches).

Watch for signs of stress in your trees such as branch tip die-back or yellowing/falling leaves. If watering deeply does not perk them up, contact a certified arborist for an inspection.

 

Trees Atlanta Celebrates 25 Years With an Intimate Group of 450 Supporters

June 25 , 2010

By Tree Blogger 

Trees Atlanta celebrated its 25th Anniversary on Friday, June 25th at the Trees Atlanta Kendeda Center.  The party was festive with 450 of Trees Atlanta’s closest friends in attendance.  Thanks to our media sponsors, The Atlantan and WABE 90.1 FM, many of the people who came to party were new to the organization or just getting involved for the first time.  Trees Atlanta was at its best!  The LEED Platinum Certified building is already a showpiece, but volunteer and Edgewood artist Brandon Ross helped us dress it up a bit more by building a mirrored tree sculpture in the middle of the Education center.  He also added mirrored tree art on the walls of the room which made everything sparkle.  We had 100+ fabulous items featured in the silent auction including shoes from Oka B, a turning fork from Highland Hardware, hotel and spa packages, a luggage set from REI, outdoor wear from Patagonia, one-of-a-kind jewelry by Selene Morgan and more!  Partygoers enjoyed a live auction for several fabulous trips including a visit to the Tuscany home of George Lanier, a trip to St. Croix, and other exotic locations.  Live music filled the air throughout our outdoor Bartlett Tree Experts Urban Forestry Demonstration Site as guests danced under the trees or walked up to see the view from the green roof on our Home Depot Operations center.

We had a blast.  Thanks for celebrating with us and happy 25th Anniversary Trees Atlanta!

 

                                 Photos by Jeff Keessee

 

Singer/Songwriter, Imogen Heap, Supports Trees Atlanta

June 5, 2010

By Tree Blogger           

On June 4th, British singer/songwriter Imogen Heap filled up the Tabernacle in Downtown Atlanta for a live performance.  At the end of her set, as in all of the cities on her tour, she improvises a song with the help of the audience.  These songs are then available for download for $1 and the proceeds benefit a local charity. Imogen held up a banner reading "Trees Atlanta" at her Tabernacle show, indicating that we would receive proceeds from the Atlanta concert.  The song is now available.

 

Trees Atlanta's "City in the Arboretum:  Bringing the Arboretum Home" Conference is Just Days Away!  Register Now and Help Make Your Community More Tree Savvy

May 13, 2010

By Tree Blogger           

Ever wondered how to heighten awareness about the unique qualities of your neighborhood? Try harnessing the power of one of Metro Atlanta's greatest assets--trees. Trees Atlanta has worked with seven neighborhoods to date to help them establish "Neighborhood Arboreta," featuring unique trees and personalities of each community. We are also working to establish the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum around Atlanta's City Center. 

You can learn more about how to establish a neighborhood arboretum in your community or how to improve upon an existing neighborhood arboretum by attending Trees Atlanta's 2nd Annual "City in the Arboretum" conference on Saturday, May 22nd from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  The conference is sponsored by the UPS Foundation and Three Sisters Catering and our speaker lineup is not to be missed.  Come!  Learn and enjoy with Trees Atlanta, and bring the arboretum home to your community. 

Trees Atlanta Enjoys Sharing Earth Day with Students at Springdale Park Elementary

April 22 , 2010

By Tree Blogger 

Trees Atlanta's Forest Restoration Coordinator, Blake Watkins, was fortunate to spend Earth Day "talking trees" with 1st through 5th grade students at Springdale Park Elementary (a.k.a. "SPARK"). Students learned about Trees Atlanta's Neighborhood and BeltLine Arboretum programs, had a scavenger hunt, did leaf rubbings and went on a Tree Walk on the school grounds. Kids learned how to identify trees on campus such as southern magnolia and water oak and learned how to differentiate between American and Chinese Hollies. Blake explained how Latin botanical names work and taught the children one of his favorites-- "tormentosa." This means "hairy" or "fuzzy" in the tree world.

Blake gave the kids a chance to lead, too.  They talked about their favorite trees, most naming fruit or flowering trees.  Many said that pines or sweetgums were their favorites.  After all, those pinecones make excellent bird feeders and sweetgum balls are standard ammunition in neighborhood battles. The kids were shocked when Blake announced that many grown-ups don't appreciate pines and sweetgums because they are considered "messy."  It is amazing how time changes our priorities. Happy Earth Day, and here's to SPARK Elementary for celebrating Earth Day in foliaged fashion!    

                                                           

                                                                                                

Trees Atlanta Volunteer, Bill Pardue, Chosen Alliance for Community Trees Volunteer of the Year

March 22, 2010

By Tree Blogger

Trees Atlanta is fortunate to have a number of dedicated volunteers.  These are not just people who plant trees every now and again...these are folks who eat, sleep and breathe trees.  Take for instance, Bill Pardue.  Bill has been spending his time with Trees Atlanta for more than ten years as a tree planter, tree care provider, running team coordinator, watering truck operator, parade marcher, softball team coach, office assistant and more. Bill has even led volunteer tree planting projects over the years and is a certified TreeKeeper.  Oh, and did I mention that Bill puts his money where his mouth is?  In addition to the hundreds of volunteer hours Bill has logged over the years, he is also a regular Trees Atlanta donor. Now that is true community action.

Bill was recently selected by the Alliance for Community Trees (ACT) as the Volunteer of the Year. ACT is a national non-profit that supports grassroots, citizen-based organizations dedicated to urban and community tree planting, care, conservation and education.  The competition was fierce, but the judges clearly appreciated Bill as much as those of us here at Trees Atlanta.

We are grateful for Bill and for all he does to make Metro Atlanta a cleaner, greener and healthier place for all of us to live. Congratulations Bill!

 

Virginia-Highland Hosts Fruit and Berry Sale on Saturday, March 13

March 2 , 2010

By Tree Blogger

Tree Blogger loves it when neighborhoods take pride in their trees.  Take for example, the Virginia-Highland neighborhood in in-town Atlanta--an area full of majestic oaks and flowering beauties.  This tree savvy community has planted more than 350 young trees in the past several years and recently established the Virginia-Highland Neighborhood Arboretum.  Their latest news?  A new pocket park!

Virginia-Highland neighbors recently joined together to establish the new green space on the corner of St. Charles and Highland Avenues, just two blocks north of Ponce de Leon. The neighborhood is hosting a park fundraiser--a Fruit and Berry Sale--on Saturday, March 13. If you have a yard, planting fruit trees and bushes is a great way to add beauty to your garden and do a little harvesting as well.  If you are a fan of local food, what could be more local than a blueberry from your own front yard? Other offerings from strawberries to olive trees will be available and all plants are grown in Metro Atlanta and suitable for our (normal) climate.

Details and a sale catalog are available at www.vahi.org. Before or after you support the sale, be sure to take a stroll around the Neighborhood Arboretum and learn about some of Atlanta's most spectacular foliaged friends. Sounds like a tree-riffic way to spend the day, doesn't it?            

 

Join Trees Atlanta on Friday, February 19th for the Arbor Day Photography Show:  Featuring Images by David Knox and Kathryn Kolb

February 16, 2010

By Tree Blogger

You already know about Georgia Arbor Day, but don't forget to join Trees Atlanta on Friday, February 19th for the opening reception of the Arbor Day Photography Show:  Featuring Images by Kathryn Kolb and David Knox.  Pabst Blue Ribbon (a.k.a. "PBR") is donating beer for the opening in celebration of their annual "PBRborday"...an event not to be missed.  Dave FM is volunteering with us on Saturday, February 20th as part of their Work Force promotion, and they are sponsoring our official Arbor Day celebration after the morning's volunteer efforts.  All you have to do is volunteer and show up--we'll provide the good times, exercise and lunch!  Everyone is welcome at the (free) photography opening on Friday.  But if you want to volunteer on Saturday, please let our NeighborWoods Coordinator know.

 

Get Ready for Trees Atlanta's 25th Georgia Arbor Day

February 1, 2010

By Tree Blogger

Arbor Day is the official holiday for celebrating all that trees mean to people and communities.  There are so many ways to recognize our foliaged friends. Consider planting a tree, taking care of an existing tree, reading a poem about a tree, nominating an Atlanta Champion Tree or even hugging a tree! Trees provide social, economic, health and environmental benefits for people every day.

Trees Atlanta will celebrate Georgia Arbor Day on Friday, February 19th (actual Arbor Day) and Saturday, February 20th.  We will host 7 tree projects for 7 neighborhood arboreta, school programs, giveaway 400 seedlings (donated by our friends at Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.), and more.  We'll also host Focus on Trees:  Photography by Kathryn Kolb and David Knox with a Friday night reception from 6-9 pm.  This will serve as the official announcement time for our "My Favorite Tree" Photo Contest.  If you want to know more, visit Trees Atlanta's Calendar for details.

                                             

Trees Atlanta NeighborWoods Coordinator, Susan Pierce works with volunteers on Arbor Day 2009.

 

Community Partners Honor Dr. Hall, National Superintendent of the Year

October 21, 2009

By Tree Blogger

 

  The Grady High School PTA in conjunction with Trees Atlanta honored Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Beverly L. Hall on Wednesday morning by planting a tree in her name. Read the full story here! (After clicking the link, you may wish to refresh the page for optimal viewing.)

 

 

Exciting News in the Martin Luther King Historic District

October 20, 2009

By Tree Blogger

Trees Atlanta has long enjoyed a strong relationship with the National Park Service, the Trust for Public Land, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic District.  Each year Trees Atlanta volunteers plant dozens of trees in this area to commemorate Dr. King's birthday.  In fact, since the early 90's more than 300 trees have been planted throughout this neighborhood.

            

We at Trees Atlanta are excited to help celebrate 30 years of preservation for the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site.  Recently, the Trust for Public Land transferred one of the last privately owned properties on Auburn Avenue in the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site to the National Park Service. In tribute to the era when the community was a thriving residential and commercial magnet, the groups will commemorate the event with a 1930’s-style neighborhood celebration on October 28 at 10 a.m. 

According to The Weekly, Representatives of the King family, the City of Atlanta, the Historic District Development Corporation and Ebenezer Baptist Church will also be recognized for their contributions toward preservation within the historic site. Other key invited guests include U.S. Congressman John Lewis, Art Frederick, Deputy Director for the Southeast Region of the National Park Service and City of Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. Guests will enjoy old fashioned cakes, Coca-Colas and take part in guided tours of the historic buildings and historic activity stations that recall the 1930’s era. 

To date, the Trust for Public Land has spent more than two million dollars and has doubled the number of NPS holdings within the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site to ensure that the character of Sweet Auburn and the neighborhood that nurtured Dr. King and his vision will be preserved forever. The historic site is one of the few “livable” national parks, a term coined by The National Park Service signifying that the site offers both historical and cultural importance, as well as a lively and productive neighborhood for private citizens. 

The entire story is available on The Weekly's website.  Congratulations to all of the partners involved!

 

TAG (Trees Are Great) Sale a Success

October 5, 2009

By Tree Blogger

Trees Atlanta hosted its first yard or "TAG" sale this past Saturday.  The intent was to invite new friends to learn about Trees Atlanta (while they shopped) and to help our supporters reuse and recycle.  The results?  Tree-riffic.  We sold everything from a 150 year old plant stand to a fire pit.  Thanks to all who donated, and we hope our shoppers will be back for future Trees Atlanta events now that they know we are here.  Speaking of future events, don't forget that this Saturday is Trees Atlanta's 10th Annual Tree Sale! This event is quickly becoming an Atlanta tradition and is not to be missed. More than 1,000 trees, plants and tree-friendly vines to choose from. See you there!

Trees of the 10th Annual Trees Atlanta Tree Sale

 

September 10, 2009

By Tree Blogger

Each October, Trees Atlanta offers more than 1,000 plants, including 200 species of trees, shrubs and tree-friendly vines for purchase by the public. The Trees Atlanta Tree Sale is an annual fundraiser which raises dollars for NeighborWoods, Trees Atlanta’s volunteer tree planting and conservation program.  This year, for the first time ever, the sale will be held at our new headquarters, the Trees Atlanta Kendeda Center, located at 225 Chester Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30316, and is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2009 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This year’s sale focuses on shade and native trees that are disappearing from Atlanta’s urban landscape.  These trees are not typically available in nurseries and are seldom planted by local landscapers.  Over the course of the next few weeks leading up to our Tree Sale, I will be highlighting some of our most unique trees.  Today’s tree is the Briotii “Ruby Red” Horse Chestnut.

One of the most beautiful, unique and rare (we will only have one) trees we will be selling, Aesculus x carnea is a hybrid of the common Horse Chestnut, Aesculus hippocastanum, and Red Buckeye, Aesculus pavia.  This hardy tree produces (as you can see if you are not color blind like Tree Blogger) brilliant red flowers in late spring/early summer and is a great alternative to the ubiquitous Crape Myrtle.  It grows best in full sun to partial shade and in good conditions can average one foot of growth per year.  As it matures it can reach a height of between 30-45 feet, which means that in addition to being beautiful it provides all the economic benefits of a shade tree.  The only downside to the tree is that like most Chestnuts, its berries, nuts and leaves are poisonous if ingested.  However, if you love red, this tree is a must have.

 

Bad Plant!

September 09, 2009

By Susan Pierce

It's that time of year, many flowers have been pollinated and now it is time to enjoy the showy fruit of many plants around the city. One plant in particular known for its beautiful multi-colored berries is

Ampelopsis brevipendunculata, or Amur Pepper Vine or Porcelain Berry. This is one species we love to hate and you'll see why. Like sassafras, its leaves can appear in different patterns; without lobes you might be fooled into thinking you have Muscadine, Vitis rotundifolia, a native in the same family. Like its native relatives, Porcelain Berry climbs forming thick mats that are easily distinguished by its lenticels, frequent lobes, and the unmistakable shiny blue, purple, and pink fruit (see picture). Porcelain Berry spreads via birds and water, and grows vigorously on sunny roadsides or deep in shady greenspaces. These traits have landed it on the Class Three List of Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council's (GA-EPPC) list of the most invasive plants. Keep an eye out for Porcelain Berry in your yard or local greenspace as this plant is sure to climb the ranks on this list of the nastiest of the nasties.

Although Porcelain Berry is available in the landscaping trade, DON'T BUY IT! Even elegant variegated variety called 'elegans' can propagate in nearby greenspaces. If you find Porcelain Berry growing in your yard, it can be pulled. In large infestations, it must be cut out of trees. A low concentration of RoundUp (glyphosate) can be used to treat foliage. The native Peppervine, Ampelopsis arborea, makes a good replacement, however Trumpet Creeper, Campsis radicans, and Virginia Creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, are more readily available. All three are robust native plants that provide good wildlife value.

For more information on invasive plants check out gaeppc.org, Trees Atlanta Forest Restoration pages, or keep an eye out for forest restoration volunteering opportunities on emails.

 

Voices From the Field

August 27, 2009

By Tree Blogger

Volunteers at the August 22, 2009 mulching at Starlight Drive-In – one of the last remaining drive-in theaters in the Atlanta area – talk with the Tree Speech blogger about their experiences with Trees Atlanta.

Abra Lee

Landscape Manager for Hartsfield-Jackson Airport

5th generation Atlantan

Druid Hills, DeKalb Co.

I grew up in Adams Park in Southwest Atlanta, and what’s so great about that neighborhood is that it is one of the last tree filled communities in Atlanta, largely untouched by development.  It’s what I love about my city and I want to make sure that this is the Atlanta that is saved for my family.

I have known about Trees Atlanta for a while now.  Years ago, I was an arborist with the City of Atlanta Parks Department and worked with the Trees Atlanta staff.  This year I’m becoming as “Master Gardener” and part of the requirements is completing a certain number of volunteer hours – I thought volunteering for Trees Atlanta would be a great opportunity to complete some of those hours.

Trees Atlanta is doing incredibly important work in Atlanta.  For me, their work represents the growth of Atlanta; for instance the tree over by The Varsity is almost iconic.  I have seen it for decades of my life.

I have been here since the beginning of the population boom.  There were so many trees then and to see some of those taken away is heart breaking, but the fact that Trees Atlanta is always restoring and adding to the tree canopy means a lot, more green space for the city… and it means that they really care.

 

Candice Miller & Josh Goldsmith

Where and how long have you lived Atlanta?  

Candice:  I’ve lived in metro Atlanta for five years and in Midtown for two years.

Josh:  I live in East Atlanta and have been here for seven years.

What brought you out to volunteer on a Saturday?

Candice:  Well, I always get the weekly newsletter, but this is the first time I have come out to volunteer.  I saw that you were doing a project at the Starlight Drive-In, and we come here so much…as often as I can convince Josh. I love it.  He lives in East Atlanta which is close, so I decided to drag him out of bed this morning.

Josh:  She decided I shouldn’t sleep in today.  I used to work for AmeriCorps and often volunteered for Trees Atlanta six years ago.  She volunteers for Habitat for Humanity…and every once in awhile she will get me to come out and volunteer too.

How did you hear about Trees Atlanta?

Candice:  It was probably at an Earth Day or Green Expo event. I am pretty active in environmental conservation.  I was drawn to Trees Atlanta because I like the fact that a lot of volunteers get together and create natural habitat and take the time to do something good for the earth.

In the time you have lived in Atlanta, what kind of impact do you think Trees Atlanta has made?

Josh:  I love what they are doing. It is impressive when you drive around and see the trees that Trees Atlanta have planted next to the sidewalks and all the “Ooze Tubes®” they have installed that foster tree growth.  Give it 20 years and maybe Midtown will look as nice as East Atlanta…I am kidding, but I'm definitely going to keep volunteering with Trees Atlanta.

 

Mike Fisher

UPS

Originally from Bloomington, IN but has lived in Atlanta for 25 years.

Togo Hill

I got involved with Tress Atlanta because I just like the outdoors, hiking, canoeing; so I want to see nature protected and fostered.

I found out about Trees Atlanta through my employer.  I work for UPS and the UPS Foundation is a sponsor and contributor to Trees Atlanta. I have been volunteering for Trees Atlanta for about a year, so much so that I have earned my shirt (edit note: volunteers who participate in 6 days of tree-planting service with Trees Atlanta get an official Trees Atlanta shirt).  I just liked the people and have been involved with Trees Atlanta for a while now.  The people come out here for the right reasons; I like the camaraderie, it is a really positive vibe and that is why I keep coming back

It is really great how their work has had such an impact on beautifying the city; particularly being done through volunteer work because we don’t cost the tax payers anything.

The Atlanta Beltline Arboretum has probably been my favorite Trees Atlanta project.  That is going to be such a fantastic thing for Atlanta when it is done.  Knowing that you contributed to something like that which is going to have such a lasting impact on the city is really meaningful.

 

Brian Bishop

King & Spalding law firm

Native Metro Atlantan, Jonesboro

Midtown

 How did you find out about Trees Atlanta?

I found out about Trees Atlanta through my law firm, King & Spalding.  They do a lot of community events that I wanted to become involved with. This is my second time volunteering with Trees Atlanta.

 Why did you decide to volunteer with Trees Atlanta?

I do a lot of volunteer work with groups like Hands on Atlanta and Habitat for Humanity, but I just love conservation and environmental issues, so when I heard about the work Trees Atlanta was doing with the Beltline, I thought, where do I sign-up?

Working at a law firm can be stressful.  Does working with Trees Atlanta help you decompress?

Absolutely. I am not a lawyer, but I work with lawyers all day long so it can be kind of stressful.  Plus being in an office all day is not good for your soul, so I like getting outside and doing things like this.

 

Jim Abbot

Professor of Classics at Agnes Scott College

Native Georgian

Inman Park

I grew up in rural Georgia and have always had an affinity for large trees, so when I saw the sign for Trees Atlanta, I thought I needed to check out the organization.

Trees Atlanta is important to me because I believe in their commitment to replenishing our city's tree canopy.  I just think that Atlanta makes up for its lack of dramatic natural features more than other cities with its great tree-filled, intown neighborhoods.  So Trees Atlanta’s work to maintain and replenish our city’s historic canopy is something that I think people living in Atlanta years from now will really appreciate.

I have been volunteering with Trees Atlanta for about 10 years and have done just about everything that you could imagine.  I have seen Trees Atlanta grow from being a small, effective non-profit to a much larger effective non-profit, and the scope of operations has increased dramatically over that time.

In addition to tree planting and mulching, I sometimes help out with grant proposals, looking at descriptions of possible new programs, and working with the staff on the arboreta program… so I have very complete appreciation for the range of things that Trees Atlanta does.

I live in Inman Park; right across the tracks from the new Trees Atlanta HQ in Reynoldstown.  Inman Park has benefited tremendously over the years from Trees Atlanta’s attention.  With Trees Atlanta’s help, more than 500 trees have been planted in the last six or seven years in Inman Park, and we have a Neighborhood Arboretum.  Inman Park residents really understand the importance of Trees Atlanta’s work, and we support the organization every year by hosting a very successful fundraiser called the Tree Huggers Ball at the Trolley Barn on Edgewood Ave.

This year, our neighborhood has plans to work with Trees Atlanta on two or three major street-scaping projects, including removing some hazardous trees, repairing sidewalks and tree wells, and planting some larger shade trees.

 

What Kind of Trees are Baseball Bats Made From?

August 19, 2009

By Susan Pierce

And why are they made from wood anyway?  Blake Watkins, our Forest Restoration Coordinator, and I were wondering the same thing. After some brief online research, we learned that major league baseball bats are made of wood from either maple or ash. Bats made from bamboo are gaining popularity in Japan, but are still not approved for use in major league baseball. White ash and sugar maple seem to be the most popular choices.

So why maple or ash? Because they are very hard woods that can hit a ball hard and send it far. In the early days of baseball, bats were made from hickory. While it is a very strong wood, hickory is extremely heavy. Ash and maple provide strength without the weight.

Since maple bats have only been used in major league baseball since 1997, there is still a lot of debate over which type of wood is best for bats. Ash is harder, but tends to splinter and fray. Maple is a closer grained wood, so it does not fray or splinter easily. The players like this better because with no splinters or cracks, maple bats last longer. One downside is that when the maple bats break, it is usually a clean break at a low point on the bat (such as the handle), which means larger chunks go flying into the playing field or the foul area. Fast-moving pieces of heavy wood make for some dangerous situations.

I'm glad trees are incorporated into baseball - my two favorite things in one! What a proud way for a tree to go, too.

 

Plant a Tree, Foster a Community, Grow a Neighborhood

August 13, 2009

By Tree Blogger

There is something about the presence of trees in a community that triggers within our psyches primordial feelings of stability and security.  Rarely is a city without trees a community, a collection of treeless streets a neighborhood.  Trees draw us out from behind our walls of brick and glass, and in coming together; neighbors forge relationships, nurture children, and build a sense of community.

In 2001, Trees Atlanta launched a program called NeighborWoods with this in mind.  The program has already helped hundreds of Atlantans strengthen their neighborhoods through teaching residents about the importance of planting trees and caring for both young and old trees in their communities.

In the beginning of August, we hosted a NeighborWoods workshop for neighborhood organizers interested in hosting a tree planting project during the 2009-10 season.  At the meeting we discussed how to plan a NeighborWoods project, shared tips for successful projects, and practiced how to handle some tricky scenarios that might be encounter.

One of the attendees was Naomi Brown, from the Harbin Road Association NPR in Southwest Atlanta.  “Our neighborhood received some donated trees and I wanted information to bring back to my neighbors about what we needed to do to organize a tree planting day" said Ms. Brown, “the information Trees Atlanta provided was very helpful.”

Why not learn more about our NeighborWoods program and start planning a tree planting project in your neighborhood today?

 

Trees Atlanta 101

August 06, 2009

By Tree Blogger

When trees Atlanta was founded in 1985 by Central Atlanta Progress, the Junior League of Atlanta, Inc. and the Atlanta Parks Commissioner, the metro area was in the midst of a population and construction boom which was devastating the area’s arboreal environment.  Trees Atlanta’s initial objective was to counter this by negotiating the placement and planting of trees in parking lots throughout Atlanta’s metro area.  Since that time, Trees Atlanta has become a prime force in addressing Atlanta's overall tree loss, creating increased green space, and conserving our city's trees.  

 Today, Trees Atlanta has:

• planted and distributed more than 75,000 shade trees (view map),

• cared for more than 100,000 trees,

• recruited thousands of volunteers (we communicate with 3,500+ per week),

• and educated an average of 2,000 children and adults annually about the importance of urban trees and how to plant and properly care for them.

After nearly 25 years, Trees Atlanta continues to inspire thousands of Atlantans to advocate for better tree ordinances to protect the city's urban landscape, an integral action that has resulted in Trees Atlanta becoming one of the most widely known and supported non-profits throughout metro-Atlanta, and a highly regarded community steward of our urban environment. With several programs in operation at the Platinum LEED-certified Trees Atlanta Kendeda Center, this citizens' group shows no sign of slowing down.

So, that is what Trees Atlanta is all about.  Contact us and find out more about planting a tree in your neighborhood.