In order to assure safe, reliable, electric service the utility companies must prune branches away from high voltage electric lines. If branches make contact with these lines they can cause power outages. Worse yet, if a tree that has branches growing up into energized lines is climbed by children or adults, electrocution may occur. Every…
Native Trees of Pennsylvania There are 133 species and subspecies of deciduous and evergreen trees native to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Native plants are part of our natural heritage and future. William Penn described the forests of Pennsylvania as “the natural produce of the country.” Using native species in landscape and wildlife plantings provide many ecological…
Trees Care for Us Environmental Benefits of Trees We are all aware of the common benefits such as beauty, shade, wildlife habitat, and oxygen production that trees provide us, but did you know that trees:Air Quality and Pollutant Filtering Two healthy trees can produce enough oxygen (through a process called photosynthesis) needed by a person…
The Forest Stewardship Program is a voluntary program to help forestland owners learn how to improve and maintain the ecological health of their land. You get to decide what you want to do on your land, and the Forest Stewardship Program links you with the people who can help you do it correctly! Since 1990,…
Selecting Quality Trees from a Nursery In looking for quality nursery stock, consider all aspects of the plant. The above and below ground quality of each plant should be evaluated before purchasing nursery stock for your site or project. Above ground quality Often the first view that you get of trees in a nursery is the…
Some wish to learn to identify trees for purely recreational reasons while others want to learn to select, plant, and care for trees and understand that identification skills are critical. It is easier to identify trees and plants in the field than collecting a leaf sample for identification at home. There are often additional clues…
Finding someone knowledgeable to work on your trees can be a real challenge. There are many so-called “Tree Experts” in the phone book or working in our communities that know very little about how tree’s grow and how to properly care for them. Trees can easily be severely damaged by a tree worker who was…
As we begin to remove forest canopy and replace it with roads, parking lots, driveways, homes, patios, pools (impervious surfaces) and even grass, we immediately have impact on watersheds and receiving streams (or lakes). With the increased amount of impervious surfaces, water runs off the land, traveling on the surface towards the streams. As this…
Thinking about planting a new tree or landscape? To properly plant trees, you should understand the characteristics of the planting sites (above and below ground growing space, soils, drainage, exposure, and light levels); the tolerances and growth characteristics of different tree species, and the benefits you want to receive from the trees. If planted properly,…
Start by planting the right tree in the right place. Where space is limited, such as under power lines, select tree species that have a mature height of 20-30 feet. Mulch around your trees to reduce compaction; protect soils from drying out, and to keep lawn mowers and string trimmers from wounding the bark. Use…