Forest Bytes - November, 2003

The tree above, was farm-raised--one way to stop thieves from illegally removing trees.

Mistletoe, above, grows in clumps on trees, and uses the tree's nutrients as it grows.

NPR correspondent Ketzel Levine climbs the shattered trunk of a gigantic Douglas fir for her story about hunting big trees.

Poplar trees, such as these above, are becoming eco-friendly way to rid pig farms of damaging waste.

American Forests' December Feature Creature, the gray wolf.

A N N O U N C E M E N T S

Everything You Need to Know About Your Holiday Tree
Did you ever think that by using a cut Christmas tree in your house that you were actually helping the environment?
[Whole Story]

Kiss Your Trees Away?
It's a popular holiday decoration—a tradition that involves kissing and holiday cheer.
[Whole Story]

Thieves Chop the Tops of 20,000 Trees
In what seems like a tale combining the stories of the Grinch and Paul Bunyan, the tops of as many as 20,000 black spruce trees were stolen this month from an 18-acre tract of state land 40 miles north of Hibbing, Minnesota.
[Whole Story]

A Million Trees to Replant Millions Lost
According to the National Interagency Fire Center, this year more than 4.5 million acres of forest had burned across the United States by mid-December. Prolonged drought conditions in the West contributed to an above average wildfire season for many states, although the year was not as severe as those of 2000-2002.
[Whole Story]

W H A T ' S H A P P E N I N G?

Cottonwood Controversy
Since 1971, a Rio Grande cottonwood tree in Fort Davis, Texas, has been listed on the American Forests' National Register of Big Trees as the biggest.
[Whole Story]

NPR Covers Big Trees
"Big Trees and the Lives They've Changed: A Look at Majestic Giants of Nature and their Effects on Humans,"
[Whole Story]

Poplar Trees Popular Among Pig Farmers?
It's been years since the struggle began. What can farmers do to dispose of sludge from hog waste lagoons? Researchers have come up with a possible green solution: poplar trees that suck up the waste like soda straws.
[Whole Story]

A C T I V I T E S A N D L I N K S

American Forests' Feature Creature: Gray Wolf
Once feared and hated, today the gray wolf is a beloved symbol of the wilderness. In spite of all the stories, there have only been three recorded instances of wolves attacking humans in North America, and none of the attacks were deadly. However, wolves hunt in packs and can kill cattle as well as deer, caribou, and moose.
[Whole Story]

Tree Trivia

Question:What is the most popular species of tree displayed in American households during the holidays?

A) White pine
B) Ponderosa pine
C) Scotch pine
D) Douglas fir

If you answer correctly, by emailing us at forestbytes@amfor.org, you will be automatically included in the monthly drawing to win a tree! One lucky winner will receive a Historic Tree (species depends on your local climate) from American Forests' Historic Tree Nursery. Make sure you include your phone number or email address please!

Last Month's Answer: Resulting winds from fire can top 120 mph; wind-driven flames leap from treetop to treetop is called... c) crowning. Congratulations to winner, Diane McMahon of New Jersey.

ENS and ENN News Links
Alarming Lack of Forest Protection in Europe