American Elms Get Pruned. Check Out the Video Montage!

Casey Trees loves an American elm! Each winter we plant approximately 200 American elm cultivars through our American Elm Restoration program along designated corridors and provide structurally pruning to those we've planted in years past. The result? A healthier tree canopy for the District. 

Barry Stahl, U.S. National Park Service Horticulturist, demonstrates a pruning technique.

To help our staff and Citizen Foresters fine-tune their pruning skills, we also partner with the Barry Stahl, Horticulturist with the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) at Daingerfield Island on the George Washington Parkway. The on-site American elm nursery is unique since it provides the NPS with a continuous supply of native elms, as well as disease resistant and historically significant elm cultivars that are not commercially available.

Those lucky enough to get a spot in last Saturday's pruning workshop learned about the history of American elms in the U.S. and D.C., Dutch elm disease (boo!), proper pruning tools and techniques and much more. Immediately afterward, participants practiced their new and/or strengthened pruning skills on five-year-old American elms grown from seed right at the nursery.

We've put together a video montage profiling the workshop (below) and uploaded some great photos onto our Flickr page. Check them both out.

If you would like to learn more about trees, consider registering for one or all of our Citizen Forester-qualifying courses - Trees 101 (Sat., Jan. 21), Stand Up for Trees (Sat., Feb. 4) and Tree Planting (Sat., March 3). Already tree savvy or a Citizen Forester? Think about Trees 201 (Sat., Jan. 28). All classes are free but require advance registration.

Winter Class Schedule Released - Sign up now!

With just two planting events left, we will soon be wrapping up our fall planting season. But did you know you there are plenty of ways to participate and learn about trees, even in the off-season? Our 2012 workshops, classes and tree tours will help you become an informed care-taker of the District's trees. That's the best part. The second best part is every event is free!

Informational classes
All classes are held at the Casey Trees Headquarters, at 3030 12 Street NE. Light meals are provided.

• Trees 101:  Saturday, January  21, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. This Citizen Forester-qualifying course will give you an overview of tree anatomy, tree identification and the benefits provided by an urban forest. 
• Stand Up for Trees: Saturday, February  4, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Learn how to advocate for trees in your community and become a Citizen Forester.
• What's Bugging D.C. - Our Urban Forest Pests: Wednesday, February 8, 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Learn about the major pests that threaten D.C.'s urban forest and what is being done to manage them. 
• Trees 201: Saturday, February  11, 9 a.m. - noon. Geared toward Citizen Foresters and Project Organizers, Trees 201 will teach you year-round tree characteristics and limitations or tolerances in urban conditions.
• Forest Gardens: Wednesday, February 22, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Instructor and Researcher Lincoln Smith will focus on how to produce food such as vegetables, flour and nuts in healthy ecosystems.
• Remarkable Trees of Virginia: Friday, March 23, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Join Dr. Jeff Kirwan, co-author of Remarkable Trees of Virginia, for a discussion about remarkable and historical trees in Virginia. 

Casey Trees' Shawn Walker shows a participant how to prune trees at Dangerfield Island last winter.

Workshops and Tree Walks

• Pruning Workshop: Saturday, January 14, 9:30 a.m. - noon. Location: Dangerfield Island, Alexandria. Join Barry Stahl, horticulturist for the National Park Service, for hands-on practice with pruning trees.
• Winter ID - Trees In Transition Tree Walk: Saturday, March 10. Location: Rock Creek Trail at Beach Drive, Maryland. Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of City of Trees, will lead a winter hike and put your tree identifying skills to the test in Rock Creek Park.

 For more information and to sign up, visit the calendar of events on our website.

Casey Trees and Community Gardens

Amidst the hustle and bustle of D.C. lie over 40 community gardens, where District residents can plant and harvest their own produce. Community gardens provide educational and peaceful oases for residents across the city. This CTP season, Casey Trees is getting involved with their efforts.

Volunteers help plant a tree at the Washington Youth Garden on Oct. 18.
Visit our Flickr page for more photos.

Green SEED Planting
On Oct. 29, District residents braved rainy weather to help plant 13 trees at the Green SEED Community Garden. 20 volunteers and 9 Citizen Foresters joined Casey Trees in adding apple, fig and cherry trees to the garden. Established in 2010, the Green SEED Community Garden is located between 17th St, 18th St, D St and E St. Special thanks to Lead Citizen Forester Patricia Carmichael and project organizer Dan Fitzgerald for their help in making the CTP event possible.

Washington Youth Garden Planting
This CTP season has seen another community garden planting, in early October. Casey Trees, along with four Citizen Foresters and 17 volunteers, planted 16 fruit trees at the Washington Youth Garden at the National Arboretum. The trees were mostly apple and peach. Val Wheeler, Lead Citizen Forester and Kaifa Anderson-Hall, project organizer provided leadership in organizing the event.

Upcoming film: Community of Gardeners
On Saturday November 19, from 2 p.m. till 5 p.m. we will host a free screening of the documentary film, Community of Gardeners at our headquarters in Brookland. The film highlights the important role of seven different community gardens in Washington, D.C., including the Washington Youth Garden. A discussion with director and award-winning film artist Cintia Cabib will follow the screening. Guests from local community gardens will also help lead the discussion. Space is still available.

Sign up for this unique opportunity to learn more about the community gardens of D.C. You can also read about the film on the Community of Gardeners website. We hope to see you on November 19!

Tonight: Growing Fruit Trees in the DC Area
This evening we will feature a class at our headquarters on fruit trees, presented by Dr. Christopher Walsh of the University of Maryland. We will discuss the potential role of fruit trees in urban and suburban landscapes as well as practices we can incorporate to best manage the challenges they pose. This class is currently full.

Contact Shawn Walker with any questions about classes.

Upcoming Casey Trees Events for Fall 2011

We're happy to announce the upcoming season of classes, presentations and tree walks from Casey Trees. We have a whole season of educational opportunities for you to dive into this fall. If you've ever wanted to become a Citizen Forester, learn about trees in the city or find out more about our programs, these events are for you.

While you're planning on which events to attend, make sure to sign up online ahead of time. All classes are free and all require advance registration. This allows us to plan for the right number of participants and anticipate staffing requirements. Most sessions are held at our 3030 12th Street NE headquarters, although some events will allow you to explore other parts of the city.

Here is the full list, with links to find out more and register online:

• First Fridays: Trees in Bioretention presentation, Friday, September 2, 12:30 PM
• Trees 101 class (Citizen Forester-Qualifying), Saturday, September 10, 9:00 AM
• Frederick Douglass House Tree Walk, Saturday, September 24, 9:00AM
• Tree Planting Workshop (Citizen Forester-Qualifying), Saturday, October 1, 9:00 AM
• Fort Dupont Tree Walk, Saturday, October 15, 9:00 AM
• National Mall Bike Tour, Sunday, October 23, 9:00 AM
• Growing Fruit Trees in the DC Area class, Wednesday, November 9, 6:30 PM
• Climate Change and our Urban Forest, Wednesday, November 16, 6:30 PM
• A Community of Gardeners film and discussion, Saturday, November 19, 2:00 PM
• Evergreens, Winter ID and Bird Habitat Tree Walk, Saturday, December 3, 10:00 AM

You can also take a look at the full event calendar to see all events.

If you have any questions about events organized by our Education department, contact Shawn Walker, Urban Forestry Instructor.

Spots Still Open for Stand Up for Trees!

Spots are still available for our next free Citizen Forester-qualifying class! Stand Up for Trees will be held on August 27 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at our headquarters, 3030 12th Street NE. Sign up today!

We know that increasing the District's Urban Tree Canopy (UTC) from 35% to 40% by 2035 will be no small feat. Casey Trees is determined to make it happen, but it will take the support of informed citizen advocates to help us get there. At Stand Up for Trees, Maisie Hughes, Director of Planning and Design, Sue Erhardt, Director of Education and Shawn Walker, Urban Forestry Instructor, will teach you everything you need to know to advocate for trees in your community.

Stand Up for Trees will:

• Teach you about the tools that are provided by the District's municipal services
• Provide advice from community members who have effectively increased their neighborhoods' tree canopy
• Help you create action plans to stand up for your community's trees
• Qualify you as a Citizen Forester
• Feed you - a light breakfast and lunch will be provided

Trees can't speak for themselves. Together we can make sure that old ones are protected and new ones are planted, to reach our goal of 40% UTC coverage by 2035. Visit our calendar to sign up for Stand Up for Trees and to view other upcoming events. We hope to see you on August 27th!

Tree Walk Recap: Tudor Place

Nine participants braved the brutal heat on Saturday morning to attend our tree walk at Tudor Place in Georgetown. Suzanne Bouchard, Director of Gardens and Grounds, led the tour. The historic site's large tree canopy not only made for an interesting tour, it also provided much-appreciated shade. The group, which included four Citizen Foresters, learned about the history of the grounds and several unique trees including a 200-year old tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) that was voted D.C.’s Millennium Tree. 

Bouchard talks to the group in front of the mansion at Tudor Place

The enormous tulip tree, planted in 1805

Can't wait for our next docent-led tour? Take advantage of our free downloadable tree walks. Sites maps are currently available for the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land and the NGA Sculpture Garden. A Tudor Place tree walk map will be added in the coming weeks.

Also be sure to visit our Calendar of Events webpage to learn about upcoming continuing education classes such as Stand Up for Trees and rewarding volunteer opportunities. Remember: registration is required and space is limited for all classes and volunteer events.

Identification and Selection: Trees 201 Class Recap

This past Saturday, a large group - most of whom were Citizen Foresters - participated in Trees 201: Identification and Selection at our Brookland headquarters. While the class was geared towards Citizen Foresters, Project Organizers and those interested in learning the basics of Right Tree, Right Space when designing a tree planting, all were welcome. There were three components of the day's lesson: tree ID, tree selection, and a field walk, which mixed classroom instruction with hands-on fieldwork, preparing those in attendance for plantings of their own.

In preparation for the class, attendees were asked to develop a planting proposal for ten trees by the Brookland rail tracks, all while sticking to three criteria:  consider the neighbor's historic population of trees, incorporate trees already present at the site and plant at least 60% shade with no more than 40% small or ornamental trees. Overall, the proposals brought a variety of planting plans to the table and proved to be a valuable tool for participants to learn from each others' perspectives on tree planting.

Trees 201 participants on a tree walk around our Brookland neighborhood.

Following the classroom portion of the day, Urban Forestry Instructor Shawn Walker and Urban Forestry Manager Sara Turner led a tree walk around our Brookland neighborhood. This allowed the future tree planting designers to see some real examples of the proper and improper placement of trees in an urban environment.

If you missed Trees 201, check out our calendar for the latest listing of upcoming classes and events. For those interested in becoming a Citizen Forester, make sure to sign up for its qualifying class Stand Up For Trees on Saturday, August 27. By September we will be announcing our schedule for even more qualifying classes so that you can earn your Citizen Forester badge by the time we begin our fall Community Tree Planting season.

Class Preview: Trees 201

Want to improve your tree identification skills, or gain a better understanding of how to select trees for planting in an urban environment?

If you'd like some help fine-tuning your understanding of trees, join us Saturday, July 16 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM at our Brookland Headquarters for Trees 201: Tree ID and Selection. Led by Urban Forestry Manager Sara Turner and Urban Forestry Instructor Shawn Walker, this class will provide the ins-and-outs of tree identification and selection, including both classroom and hands-on, field instruction.

Tree walk outside the Casey Trees headquarters at a recent education event.

While Trees 201 is geared towards Citizen Foresters and Project Organizers, all interested in building their knowledge of tree selection and identification are welcome. A light breakfast will be provided, and Continuing Education Units are offered for ISA-certified arborists. Make sure to register by Tuesday, July 12, as participants will be given a brief assignment in preparation for the class.

If you're unable to attend Trees 201, check out our calendar for more upcoming classes and events.

Class Recap: Trees 101

Congratulations to the new Citizen Foresters who attended our free Trees 101 class on Saturday! 25 participants from the District and Maryland came out to our headquarters on Saturday morning for the introductory class. Attendees enjoyed a light breakfast while they learned about Casey Trees, the urban forest, tree anatomy, tree functions, and basic tree identification.

During the last hour of Trees 101, instructors Priscilla Bocskor, Shawn Walker and Katie Heffernan led the class on a tree walk around the area. Participants enjoyed the beautiful weather and practiced their tree identification skills during the walk. A contest was held at the end of the morning for attendees to guess the diameter of a large basswood (Tilia americana) in the neighborhood. Winners received free Casey Trees t-shirts.

Tree walk outside the Casey Trees headquarters.

Interested in learning more about the District's trees? Check out our calendar for upcoming summer events, including a Tree Walk at Tudor Place on July 23.

Class Preview: Trees 101

There are still a few spots left in our next free class! Trees 101 will be held on Saturday, June 25th from 9 a.m. until noon at the Casey Trees headquarters, 3030 12th Street NE. Registration is required if you want to attend, so be sure to sign up!

Staff members Priscilla Bocskor and Shawn Walker will teach you a bit about everything, from Casey Trees’ programs to understanding the basics of tree anatomy. You will also learn about the benefits of trees and how to identify tree species. For the last hour of the class, you can practice your new tree identification skills during a tree walk in the Brookland neighborhood led by Shawn. A light breakfast will be provided.

Whether you're looking to become a Citizen Forester or just to learn more about the District's trees, Trees 101 is a great way to connect with our city's urban forest. If you can't make it this Saturday, don't forget about our other summer classes, including Trees 201 on July 16 and Stand Up for Trees on August 27. Be sure to check our calendar for more upcoming events as well. 

What kind of tree do these leaves belong to? You'll learn the answer and much more at Trees 101.

Class Recap: CSI for Bugs

Finding chewed or discolored leaves on your beloved trees and plants? How do you know what is responsible and what you can do about it?

This past Wednesday night, Dr. Michael J. Raupp, Professor of Entomology and Extension Specialist at the University of Maryland, College Rark presented a class at the Fort Dupont Activity Center in Ward 8 titled "CSI for Bugs." The focus: how to spot these pests that love to chow down on the plants you work so hard to care for and what actions you can take.

A group of 12 - along with a number of Casey Trees' staff - came prepared for this serious lesson in bug identification, learning how to I.D. and determine what measures to take if your plant or tree has fallen prey to a bug.

Professor Raupp presented the 'symptomatology' method of diagnosis. Rather than focusing on who is responsible for the damage, focus on what type of damage is present. It can be difficult to properly identify insects, but a plant's symptoms are usually very clear. Oftentimes no further action needs to be taken, as the delicate balance of nature and the interactions of other insects will be enough to preserve the plant's health. However, in the case that symptoms are present on 50% or more of your tree or plant, intervention may become necessary.

Evidence abounds - a critter's presence hath been found.

Different insects will present different symptoms and types of damage. Defoliation is likely the work of large caterpillars, sawflies, slugs or grasshoppers. The elm leaf beetle or Japanese beetle are the culprits responsible for leaf skeletonizaton. The presence of silk denotes tent caterpillars, webworms or leaftiers. One notable invasive bug that D.C. residents are surely aware of is the Halyomorpha halys, most commonly known as the stink bug. Raupp predicts that stink bugs will only grow more numerous in coming years and spread beyond their current range, further south and west beyond the Mid-Atlantic states.

Later in the evening, Raupp led the group in a field activity so those in attendance could put their newly acquired bug identification skills to work. The group examined five tree species, including pin oak, mulberry, willow, poplar and tulip tree - each having some visible sign of insect damage. After the lesson, these amateur entomologists walked away with a good introduction to insect plant and tree damage.

Professor Raupp takes the class outside for an identification session.

If you missed out on this chance to hone your pest detection skills, you can still check out Dr. Raupp’s bug of the week site as well as our calendar of upcoming events. We have a variety of classes in coming weeks, including Trees 101 and Trees 201 where you can learn more about tree anatomy and identification.