ForestBytes --- February 2003 Volume IV, Issue 34 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://www.americanforests.org AMERICAN FORESTS People Caring for Trees and Forests Since 1875 To subscribe to ForestBytes: Visit http://www.americanforests.org/ If you find this information valuable, please pass it on to friends and colleagues. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Announcements ¤ A Thousand Trees for Texas ¤ The Beauty Industry Pitches in to Plant Trees ¤ Planting America's Living Legacy ¤ Tree Cover Revealed in Arkansas II. What's Happening? ¤ The Mysterious "HI" Tree ¤ News Updates and Reader Comments ¤ Deer's Favorite Meal Is Causing Problems for Oak III. Activities and Links ¤ American Forests’ Feature Creature: The Red-cockaded Woodpecker ¤ Test Your Knowledge! ¤ Environmental News from ENS-news.com "American Parks in Trouble: 10 Most Endangered 2003" "Indonesia fails to stop illegal logging, report says" == ANNOUNCEMENTS ================================================ ---------------------------------------------------------------- A Thousand Trees for Texas ---------------------------------------------------------------- The "Lone Star State" may be getting a boost in the form of 1,000 favorite sons over the next few years. American Forests is working to plant 1,000 offspring of the historic Treaty Oak in communities throughout Texas. These historic live oak trees will help ensure the continued legacy of Texas’ most beloved tree and equally as importantly, they will help address Texas’ urban tree deficit. Working with the Texas Forest Service and the city of Austin and American Forest have collected acorns from the Treaty Oak, grown direct-descendant trees, and is now offering these historic trees to citizens, communities, and corporations for planting. The Treaty Oak, which stands in Austin, has been a living symbol of history for more than five centuries. According to legend, this live oak stood as part of the "Council Oaks", two trees that were witness to a treaty between Indians and the Anglo settlers. The man representing the settlers was reputed to be none other than the "Father of Texas" Stephen F. Austin himself. Although a flood destroyed the other tree in the early 1900's, the Treaty Oak remains standing. Over the years, it has survived searing summers, gusting winds, and the pressures urban development and mankind. At one time the tree's branches spanned nearly 140 feet! The historic tree was threatened in 1989 when it was deliberately poisoned with a chemical designed to kill hardwood trees. The reason for the poisoning is still unknown. In spite of extensive efforts, only about one-quarter of the tree was saved. The culprit, convicted of felony criminal mischief, was sentenced to nine years in prison. American Forests has committed to assessing the status of urban forests across the country. We are currently conducting an Urban Ecosystem Analysis of San Antonio in conjunction with a Regional Ecosystem Analysis (REA) of the surrounding area. Preliminary results appear to be consistent with the trend of significant and increasing urban tree canopy deficits across the country. Now individuals and organizers in Texas have a chance to help reduce the urban tree canopy deficit while ensuring the legacy of this Texas favorite son. With the permission of the city of Austin, American Forests’ Historic Tree Nursery harvested and germinated acorns from the Texas Treaty Oak in 1997 and has raised just over 1,000 of this historic tree’s offspring. After five years in the nursery, the trees are strong, healthy, and ready for planting. To learn more about American Forests' 1,000 Trees for Texas Campaign, please contact us by email at info@amfor.org or call us at 202-955-4500 x227. Proceeds from this campaign will support several tree planting projects throughout Texas as well as American Forests’ 2003 National Urban Forest Conference being held in San Antonio, Texas. Look for more information on the conference in coming months! ----------------------------------------------------------------- The Beauty Industry Pitches in to Plant Trees ----------------------------------------------------------------- American Forests and B*cause, a nonprofit organization for salon owners and beauty industry employees are planting thousands of trees in wildfire restoration projects across the U.S. thanks to a continuing national collection of change at Coinstar locations. Between March 1 and June 1, the two organizations will encourage salon owners, beauty industry employees, and their clients to donate change to plant trees. The year 2002 brought the worst wildfire season in recent history with over 6.5 million acres burned in the United States. Now they're in need of restoration. With the increase in the size and intensity of last summer’s wildfires came a more urgent need to plant trees. "B*cause collects spare change for charitable organizations with small budgets and big hearts because that’s where small change makes a big difference. Salon owners and beauty industry professional help our clients make major changes--now we can too," says Rudy Sprogis, B*Cause founder. To help, you can take your spare change to any participating Coinstar location nationwide and enter the B*cause identification number 9999. Learn more about this program by visiting http://www.americanforests.org/news/display.php?id=97. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Planting America's Living Legacy ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Citizens across the country have joined American Forests in planting trees for the victims of 9/11, but the idea of living memorials is one that dates back decades. As far back as 1919, American Forests--then the American Forestry Association--urged citizens, groups, and communities to plant memorial trees and ³roads of remembrance² to honor fallen soldiers from World War I. The practice continued during WWII. Thousands of these trees were planted and registered with American Forests. Now American Forests is attempting to locate any of those groves or individual trees that are still standing. Many were marked with brass plaques. If your community has a memorial tree grove or a memorial forest, we¹d like to know about it. Please e-mail information and a photo, if possible, to mrobbins@amfor.org ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The Natural Economics of Arkansas ----------------------------------------------------------------------- AMERICAN FORESTS’ Urban Forest Center has announced the findings from a regional Urban Ecosystem Analysis of Fayetteville Arkansas' Benton and Washington Counties. Construction of the Northwest Arkansas (NWA) Regional Airport has spurred development of the two adjacent counties, and AMERICAN FORESTS’ study will be used to help local officials, planners, and citizens understand the value of their natural ecosystem as they manage development growth. Using classified satellite and aerial imagery, the Urban Forest Center analyzed the change in the region’s landcover from 1985 to 2000, and used CITYgreen® software to calculate the value of the services trees provide. CITYgreen® is American Forests’ computer program that calculates the economic value of "tree services" such as air quality maintenance, carbon storage and sequestration, and stormwater management. The Northwest Arkansas region as a whole currently fares well, with areas of heavy tree canopy (50 percent trees or more) comprising 48 percent of the two counties’ total land area. A closer look, however, reveals sprawling development around the new airport and along the Interstate Highway 540 corridor, development that increasingly threatens existing tree cover. The study also show that Fayetteville itself lost 18 percent of its tree cover from 1985 to 2000. Considering that trees provide $93.64 million in services to Fayetteville each year, the loss has real economic consequences. The study found that Fayetteville currently stands at 27 percent, compared to American Forests' recommended 40 percent overall tree canopy for urban areas. By increasing the area’s trees to the recommended percentage coverage, Fayetteville would save an additional $43.86 million per year. The Arkansas study highlights the necessity of incorporating the "green infrastructure" into planning at the municipal and regional level. "The region is on the brink of major development," explained Patti Erwin, with the Arkansas Forestry Commission. "We need this information so that local communities can coordinate future planning to maintain the region’s natural resources including the green connections along the region’s watersheds, trail systems, and wildlife corridors." This Urban Ecosystem Analysis and press conference are part of American Forests' ongoing effort to empower cities and regions to understand and quantify the value of their trees in economic terms and incorporate green infrastructure into their planning. For more information, contact Gary Moll, senior vice-president of urban Forestry and information technology at gmoll@amfor.org, or Cheryl Kollin, director of the Urban Forest Center at ckollin@amfor.org. Visit our website, http://www.americanforests.org/resources/rea/, to learn more about studies in 21 other cities. --Claiborne Walthall, Urban Forest Center == WHAT'S HAPPENING =================================================== * The Mysterious "HI" Tree Ever heard a tree say "hello?" You may not be able to hear those words from these "friendly" trees, but look closer. The "Hi" Cottonwoods in Omaha, Nebraska have recently been nominated to the National Register of Historic Trees by the North Omaha Commercial Club. The volume, expected in 2004, will showcase trees that have witnessed our nation's important local and historical events. So what makes them "HI" trees? The two cottonwoods were discovered to have a fused horizontal limb between them that appear to form the word "Hi." The quirky trees are located in the historic neighborhood of Florence, Omaha’s oldest community. These most famous of Omaha’s trees, have been a nieghborhood fixture for generations. American Forests’ Historic Tree Nursery has been growing direct offspring of this and other trees for individuals, communities and schools. The Nursery is helping to replant a piece of history. Project director Jeff Meyer says, "We now recognize that trees are also historians of a sort, the last living witnesses of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address; the flight of the Wright brothers and the birth of the Constitution." The "HI" cottonwoods will join a host of other historic trees on the National Register of Historic Trees. Is there a tree that sticks out in your mind? Individuals, historic societies, civic groups, and students are invited to nominate trees to the National Register of Historic Trees, or request a free catalog by visiting www.historictrees.org or by requesting a nomination form at 800 /320-8733. A complimentary catalog is available at 800 /320-8733 or online at http://www.historictrees.org. Each historic tree purchase aids efforts to reforest ecosystems and habitats. * Updates and Reader Comments Many thanks to all those ForestBytes readers who responded to questions posed in last month's newsletter. In January, we asked how you felt about nonprofit rankings by charitable watchdog groups. Her's some of what we heard: Judith Cartisano writes, "Well, the watchdog groups are somewhat important to me because I want to know my money is being used for the right purposes. However, I think the watchdog groups are probably more important to large-scale contributors and could influence their decision to give greater sums of money than the average person could give." Another reader writes, "Congratulations on the new rating! Since you solicited input on the importance of charity ratings, I'd like to say they're very important. While I'm sure the ratings are not able to measure every significant issue, I am concerned that the money I donate is not spent carelessly or arbitrarily. There's little to go on but the ratings. Please keep up the effort!" With all the controversy surrounding a 400-year-old oak tree, that stood in the way of a housing project in Los Angeles, California, many of you had opinions to share. One reader writes, "A 400-year-old tree takes so much precedence over a short term (in the scheme of things) road. It is insane and criminal to even consider showing that much disrespect and money grubbing to a world treasure, instead of taking the utmost care of this tree for future generations." Another reader writes, "Yes, the moving of the old oak will kill it, in my estimation. A number of years ago New Brunswick, NJ had an old oak tree in the middle of a large field. It was thought to have been the one Joyce Kilmer sat under when he wrote his famous poem "Trees". Someone wanted to put a pipeline past the tree and they were told that they had to stay outside the drip line. The pipeline was laid just outside the drip line and within two years the tree was dying. By the third year the tree was dead. To move the old oak to make way for a four-lane road will be disastrous to the life of the tree. Why can't the company bend the road away from the tree? Another of your articles is about urban trees being able to live only seven years since they are essentially potted plants. That is what will happen to the old oak if moved." Since this story ran in the January edition of ForestBytes, American Forests learned that a judge denied efforts by environmentalists to stop the removal of the tree; it was moved in mid-January. Tree-sitter John Quigley had spent 71 days in the oak before deputies peacefully removed him. Following the move, the oak, which had become a symbol of the clash between suburban sprawl and preservation, has remained under guard and is off-limits following Quigley's eviction from its branches. Keep writing us! Whether it's in answer to a question or just your thoughts, please feel free to email us at info@amfor.org * Deer's Favorite Meal May Be Causing Problems for Oak Beyond the brick walls and fences of your neighborhood, there is an unsuspecting predator--deer. Its prey? Acorns and young trees. While it is no secret that at high population levels deer can have a negative effect on tree seedlings and saplings, some questions remain about the degree to which deer affect the regeneration of certain commercially important species such as oak at more moderate deer population levels. In an attempt to answer this question, a group of scientists concerned about the potential serious lack of oak regeneration in Ohio are studying the effects of white-tailed deer on acorn populations and the number and size of oak seedlings and sprouts in three forest stands located in southeastern Ohio. The study is funded by the National Fire Plan and is part of a research initiative investigating the effects of controlled burning and thinning on oak ecosystems, which is supported by the “Fire and Fire Surrogate” research project of the U.S. Joint Fire Sciences Program. "Deer can influence oak regeneration by consuming acorns and by browsing seedlings and sprouts," says David Apsley, natural resources extension specialist with the Ohio State University. "Right now we’ve got about 15 to 25 deer per square mile in this part of Ohio. First year results seem to indicate that deer may be eating a large percentage of the acorns, but browsing by deer is only apparent on a small percentage of oak seedlings and sprouts. Other species such as blackgum, sassafrass, red maple and even green brier seem to be favored by deer. "Since there is so much annual variation in acorn production and severity of winters, we need to continue this study for a few more years to get a good handle on the effects of deer on oak regeneration in southern Ohio," says Apsley. == Activities and Links =================================================== ----------------------------------------------------------------- American Forests’ Feature Creature: The Red-cockaded Woodpecker ----------------------------------------------------------------- In the early nineteenth century, vast forestland filled with centuries-old pine trees stretched from the Atlantic Coast to eastern Oklahoma. These forests were home to the then-abundant red-cockaded woodpecker --a small black and white woodpecker with two small red streaks on each side of its black cap -a cockade- which are visible on males. The red-cockaded woodpecker is dependent upon mature forests for both nesting and feeding. The birds use their sharp beaks to hammer nesting cavities into old-growth pines, sometimes taking up to three years to complete a single cavity. Holes drilled under these cavities, cause sap to run down the tree trunks, prevent the majority of predators from invading their nests. Frequently after the birds leave the nests, the holes provide shelter to other birds, as well as a variety of reptiles, amphibians, bees, wasps and squirrels. Red-cockadeds avoid nesting in hardwood forests or forests with a dense hardwood understory that may harbor predators. They prefer longleaf pines that are 60 to 300 years old, but they also use other pine trees, such as loblolly. Mature pine has historically become infected with red-heart fungus, making the inner wood soft and easy to excavate for the woodpecker's nesting. Today, however, most old southern pine forests are gone, and fewer trees are permitted to mature, creating few trees suitable for the bird’s habitat. In 1970 the red-cockaded woodpecker was added to the Endangered Species List and currently only one percent of the red-cockaded woodpecker's habitat remains. In the past, these woodpeckers ranged across pine woodlands from New Jersey to Florida and west to Oklahoma and Texas. Today, fewer than 15,000 of the birds survive. The species has been completely wiped out in New Jersey, Maryland, and Missouri. Across the rest of its range, the red-cockaded woodpecker exists in isolated groups that face an ever-shrinking habitat. The red-cockaded woodpecker is a species that requires careful management of the entire forest ecosystem upon which it depends. In addition to protecting the birds and their old-growth pine habitat, conservation measures must include restoration through replanting damaged forests. American Forests' Global ReLeaf program is constantly finding new ways to help replace forest habitat lost to human and natural causes. For instance, the Withlacoochee state forest in Florida supports some significant populations of the red-cockaded woodpecker. American Forests is planting 74,000 longleaf and slash pine seedlings in the state forest this year. In the past, American Forests has planted over 400,000 longleaf pine seedlings, enhancing the woodpecker’s habitat in the Francis Marion National Forest in South Carolina and 10,000 longleaf pine seedlings in the Croatan National Forest of North Carolina. To find out how you can help us restore forest in need for the red-cockaded and other species, please visit http://www.americanforests.org. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Test Your Tree Knowledge ----------------------------------------------------------------- American Forests recommends that most cities strive for________(?)________. A) 90% tree cover. B) 40% tree cover. C) 19% tree cover. D) 65% tree cover. Here's a hint: The answer can be found in "The Natural Economics of Arkansas" ForestBytes Article. Check the March ForestBytes for the answer! ********************* ARE YOU A MEMBER??************************ You can do your part to help the environment today by joining AMERICAN FORESTS. Not only are 25 trees planted for you in a damaged ecosystem or forest restoration project, but you will also receive: - A free subscription to our quarterly magazine - A free Big Trees calendar - A window decal Join Today! Visit http://www.americanforests.org/ ***************************************************************** == ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS AND FEATURES FROM ENS-NEWS.COM and ENN.COM ================= * "American Parks in Trouble: 10 Most Endangered 2003" http://ens-news.com/ens/jan2003/2003-01-14-02.asp * "Indonesia fails to stop illegal logging, report says" http://enn.com/news/wire-stories/2003/01/01152003/s_49348.asp ______________________________________ ForestBytes ______________ Don't forget to forward this information to friends or colleagues. FEEDBACK OR OTHER ASSISTANCE: mailto:forestbytes@amfor.org PLANT TREES WITH AMERICAN FORESTS: http://www.americanforests.org/global_releaf/ BECOME A MEMBER OF AMERICAN FORESTS: http://www.americanforests.org/membership/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - http://www.americanforests.org AMERICAN FORESTS People Caring for Trees and Forests since 1875. _________________________________________________________________