BLOSSOM WATCH - 2009

Today kicks off the 2009 National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Two weeks of performances along with a parade and a street festival all celebrate the beauty and history of the District's Yoshino Cherry trees.

The NCBF runs from Saturday, March 28 until Sunday, April 12, 2009.

Casey Trees is joining the celebration and offering a special talk focused on the popular tree. Cherry Blossoms and Elms led by National Park Service horticulturist Rob DeFeo will take place on May 5, 2009 from 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Mr. DeFeo is one of the most quoted individuals in DC because he is an expert on predicting when the trees will be in peak bloom.

For more information or to register, click here.

WOWZERS - 34 NEW TREES IN MT. VERNON

Casey Trees is on a roll. With the help of over 60 volunteers - including Councilman Tommy Wells (Ward 6) - Casey Trees planted 34 new trees at 2nd and Massachusetts Avenue, NW in the rapidly redeveloping Mt. Vernon neighborhood. The weather was perfect, the ground was soft from yesterday's rain, and the bagels, coffee, and juice got everyone going.

Want to join us but nervous about not knowing anything about trees? No problem. We love to share our knowledge of trees and tree care with new people. Volunteers of all ages and skill levels are welcome to participate. No experience is necessary. Casey Trees-trained Lead Citizen Foresters are assigned to each group to provide technical assistance and staff members are always on-site. We begin each planting with a short tree safety talk and then break into groups.

Interested individuals under 18 must have a release form signed by a parent or guardian. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult or guardian. Tools, training, and light refreshments are provided. To sign up, or find a complete calendar of planting dates and locations, visit www.caseytrees.org.

To see photos from the Mt. Vernon Triangle CID tree planting and others, join us on Facebook.

RIGHT TREE, RIGHT SPACE

What to plant and where? Life's unanswered question finally....answered.

These and other tree care questions are addressed by Jim Woodworth, Casey Trees Director of Tree Planting and certified arborist, in his Right Tree, Right Space lecture this Saturday afternoon as part of the monthly Urban Gardening Talk Series hosted by the Historical Society of Washington, DC Urban Gardeners, and Washington Gardener Magazine.

Jim will discuss site level concepts, how to select the appropriate tree to meet your specific needs, basic tree care, and the various programs that Casey Trees offers to assist DC residents and groups plant trees in their neighborhoods including the Tree Rebate and Community Tree Planting programs.

To view the Right Tree, Right Place checklist and other Casey Trees-developed planting resources, click here.

The class is FREE and registration is not required. However, you can email RSVP@historydc.org or call 202-383-1828 with any questions.


Right Tree, Right Space
Saturday, March 28
1:00 p.m. -2:30 p.m.
Carnegie Library
801 K Street, NW
Washington, DC
FREE

MOTHS, ADELGIDS, AND BEETLES -------OH MY

Did you know that Casey Trees does more than just plant trees? It's true. We are busy urban foresters. Casey Trees develops educational curriculum year round for local elementary and high schools AND adults. We believe even old dogs can learn new tricks. Topics are diverse, many are interactive, and the instructors are always recognized experts in the subject.

Many of our classes also qualify for International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Continuing Education Credits. So you learn and get to earn required credits at the same time. It is brilliant. Now you are asking, what classes are coming up? I'll tell you.

Gypsy Moths and Other Pests
Tuesday, April 7-6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Anacostia Tree Tour
Saturday, April 18-9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Cherry Blossoms and Elms
Tuesday, May 5-6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

CSI for Bugs
Tuesday, May 19-6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Enrollment is $20.00 for each class.

For more information, click on the image or class topic or email cherwig@caseytrees.org.

To register, send a check made out to Casey Trees to:

Casey Trees
c/o Carol Herwig
1123 11th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001

If you are interested in having Casey Trees develop a class around a specific topic - suggest it! Let us know what you want to learn about.

PIANTEARE ALBERI

Notice anything new along Mass Avenue during your commute this morning? How about 18 new things?

This past Saturday morning, 20 Citizen Foresters and 55 volunteers from St. Matthews, Dartmouth Club of Washington, DC and several Latin American Embassies donned mesh vests and planted - Chinese Elms, Hollies, Overcup Oaks, Serviceberries, Gingkos (not to fear, they are certified males), Yoshino Cherries, and Red Maples.

Oh my, that is a lot of future tree canopy planted in short four hours. Good job everyone.

Following the planting, the Ambassador of Italy to the US - Giovanni Castellaneta - hosted volunteers to a reception on the Italian Embassy grounds as a thank you. Councilman Michael Brown and Andrew Huff, representing Mayor Adrian Fenty, also joined in the festivities. I bet you can't say you traveled to Italy just for the day!

Check out all the photos from the planting on our Facebook Fan Page.

Consider joining us for this Friday morning at 8:45 a.m. at the Mt. Vernon Triangle CID as we plant 34 new trees. Yes, I said 34 trees. All are welcome to join us.