Casey Trees teams up with Mi Casa in Ivy City

Casey Trees was invited to work with Mi Casa and provide quality tree canopies through our RiverSmart Homes program. Mi Casa contacted us through their deputy director, Elin Zurbrigg and Heather Whitlow (former Casey Trees Director of Planning and Design). Seven of Mi Casa's newest low-income houses were selected to receive trees for their future owners.

Mi Casa has taken seven abandoned lots in the Ivy City area and built houses intended for low-income families. The houses feature sustainable ideas, like rain barrels, that allow rainwater to be collected and reused instead of flowing down storm drains. The houses also feature fences to help give these homes a bit of privacy from the streets and neighbors. In addition to these features, Mi Casa asked Casey Trees to plant some trees for these new homes so that future owners could enjoy the benefits of having canopy coverage.

"The goal was to get a shade tree, flowering tree and evergreen tree on each of the seven sites, or at least two out of three of each tree type as space allowed," said Jim Woodworth, Director of Tree Planting. Shade trees were planted to help keep the new homes cool and provide shade for the yards. Flowering trees were given prominent placement near the houses so that families could enjoy their seasonal beauty. Additional privacy was brought to the houses through the use of evergreen trees, whose foliage would protect the yards from public view as the trees mature.

As luck would have it, Mi Casa let us know that two of the houses were sold on the day of the planting. Hopefully these homeowners and their neighbors will be able to enjoy these new trees for generations to come.

Notes From the Green Living Expo

Contributing writer - Lisa Morris, Planning Associate

This past Saturday, Casey Trees hosted a table at the third annual Green Living Expo at Van Ness-UDC Metro Plaza, where residents, organizations and businesses from around the city shared inspiring ideas about how to green their lifestyles. Many people who stopped by our table had questions about the RiverSmart Homes and Tree Rebate programs, which enable residents to plant trees on their properties at low and reduced cost. Some were interested in learning about how to volunteer with us, while others stopped by to share their stories about past volunteer experiences. After our rainy September, stormwater was a hot topic. We discussed the critical role trees play in absorbing rainwater before runoff can pollute the Anacostia and other local waterways.

While we shared information about what we do, we also learned about the wide range of green services provided by local organizations and businesses. We met folks that collect organic material for composting and provide high-quality soil to urban farms; salvage building materials by deconstructing rather than demolishing houses; perform green audits of businesses and lifestyles to get them started on the path to sustainability; and reduce harmful chemicals in the environment by providing natural pest control. Since this event coincided with the regular Saturday UDC Farmers' Market, local vendors were on hand to sell fresh produce. And, as if all this weren’t enough, a rock band from the School Without Walls and Wilson High’s marching band entertained the crowd. All in all, it was a great afternoon, full of great ideas and great people.

Tagging Trees: Shopping for the Fall Planting Season

Contributing Writer - Sara Turner, Urban Forestry Manager

Fall is my favorite season: the stunning colors of autumn, the sound of leaves rustling in the wind, and the return of college football. And shopping! Though my school days have been over for a few years now, I still love the excitement that back-to-school shopping evokes. Fortunately, my role as Urban Forestry Manager allows me to do some shopping in preparation for the fall planting season. One of my responsibilities is locating and coordinating the purchase and delivery of trees.

Trees at Ruppert Nurseries. This is where many urban trees come from.

For each spring and fall planting season, Casey Trees purchases an average of 500 trees for its planting programs – Community Tree Planting (CTP) and RiverSmart Homes (RSH). Trees come in many sizes and shapes; but pretty standard, Casey Trees plants two-inch caliper, balled and burlapped (B&B) material. The caliper measurement refers to the diameter size of the tree’s trunk. In the nursery this is measured at four inches above ground for trees less than four inches in diameter. The term "balled and burlapped" refers to the root form of the tree, where the root ball is lifted out of the ground and encased in burlap until planting.

B&B trees have their advantages and disadvantages over other types such as bare root and containerized trees. The main disadvantage of B&B material is that a large portion of the roots may be severed at harvest time. With the reduced root system, water is a critical element in the successful transplanting of B&B material. Casey Trees provides a slow-release watering bad for each tree it plants to encourage caretakers to water the recommended 25 gallons of water per week during the growing season.

The last few seasons we procured trees "blindly" from nurseries in our region. Trees were dug from the nurseries’ fields and delivered to our yard, and that was our first time seeing them. We had developed good relationships with these nurseries and the material they delivered was reliable and good for our needs. However, this year we decided that we might be able to do even better by hand-selecting the trees ourselves by visiting the nurseries and "tagging" trees.

The barn at the historic Bremo Plantation - one of three sites where we buy our trees.

Recently I had the opportunity to tag trees for our upcoming planting season. I visited three nurseries: Angelica, and Bremo and Ruppert. Over three days I hand-selected close to 630 trees for all our fall projects. This selective shopping allows me to select the best material. No tree is perfect, although a good specimen of shade tree should match these criteria:

• No trunk injuries.
• A strong leader (that is, a leading stem that will support the tree as it grows).
• A full crown making up two thirds of the tree.
• Good trunk taper - tapered trunks withstand greater amounts of stress than trees without.
• Strong branching form.
• A root flare at the proper depth.

Each nursery was a delight to visit and each was uniquely different. Angelica Nuseries is located on the scenic Eastern Shore of Maryland. Bremo Trees is not too far from Mineral, Virginia (the epicenter of the recent earthquake) and is part of Bremo Plantation, a registered historical site. Ruppert Nurseries is just 25 miles from our office in Laytonsville, Maryland. I didn't have tagging seals yet, so colored marking tape sufficed. Sometimes it was pink, checkered, or purple. At one nursery, the color pink meant the tree was up for slaughter - shredded and mulched.

Digging out a B&B tree for planting.

We're looking forward to our fall planting season and can't wait for the first shipment of trees. You can volunteer with us at planting events this fall or participate as a homeowner in our RiverSmart Homes program if you want to see these beautiful trees in person.

In the Field - Tree Planting in Shaw-Howard

Contributing Writer - Sara Turner, Arborist Auditor  

The RiverSmart Homes program is a unique partnership between Casey Trees and the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) that helps homeowners add shade trees to their residential property for just $50.00 per tree.

As the RiverSmart Homes Arborist Auditor, I visit the homes of all the individuals who have requested trees. To get there, I ride my bike. I have found that biking allows me to see a greater number of interesting things and see how neighborhoods compare in their tree planting efforts. 

I have been particularly impressed by what is going on in the Shaw-Howard neighborhood. Good trees such as sweetgum, serviceberry, southern magnolia, redbud and sweetbay magnolia are taking root in people’s front yards at an impressive rate. 

This fall, through the Riversmart Homes Program, Casey Trees planted at three houses along S Street NW and at one house on 6th Street NW. Three other residents within the quarter-mile radius, shown in the map, are signed up for a spring (March-May) planting. Other residents have planted trees through our Tree Rebate, Community Tree Planting and Treescape Design Workshops.

View a full-size version of the map of the trees planted in the Shaw-Howard area by Casey Trees through our RiverSmart Homes program and other efforts.

Typically I meet with homeowners who all have one thing in common - they want a tree. Their reasoning for wanting the tree makes them unique. Common reasons include wanting to reduce storm water runoff, cool their house, add privacy, hide an undesirable view and infuse seasonal color. I consult with them on where they should consider adding trees and help them select tree species that will help them best achieve their goals.

Sara Turner and Berin Skoza stand by a newly planted tree.

Back in September, I had an appointment with Berin Skoza, an active and engaged citizen of the neighborhood. He wanted to green his neighborhood with trees. Berin took me around and introduced me to several of his neighbors. I met Heidi and her toddler. I consulted with Joe, a carpenter and designer. I worked with Gretchen who has lived in the neighborhood for over 25 years. I consulted with David and Ann. I met May, a lovely senior on S Street, who wanted a tree because her neighbor has one. She also saw our crew planting trees one day, and asked crewman Jabbari Brew, how she could get her hands on one.

 

Our Executive Director, Mark Buscaino, always reminds staff how important trees are for greening streets and cooling the District but also for bringing people together. My BFA thesis show of oil paintings and prints explored the theme of the sociological coming together of people through food and eating at the table and playing card games. It is very thrilling that even through a different medium – soil and woody plants – my work still focuses on the notion of people coming together. This time through trees!

Shaw residents have spread the good word, from neighbor to neighbor, about trees and about the work Casey Trees and the DDOE is doing. Thanks, Shaw Neighborhood, for letting me be a part of your community building.

For more information on our RiverSmart Homes program, visit our website or contact Sara directly at sturner@caseytrees.org.

BLIZZARD LESSON - REMOVE A TREE, ADD A TREE

So the ice has melted and you have surveyed your property and neighborhood and to your shock and horror discovered that the blizzard has fallen or irreparably damaged some trees. The general rule is - remove a tree, add a tree.

How do you do it? A short review for those of you who didn't read Friday's post.

If the tree is a street tree, call the Mayor's Call Center at 311, and request tree removal by the City's Urban Forestry Administration (UFA). The tree, if still standing, and especially if near power lines, will most likely be removed in three stages. One crew will remove the branches, a second will take it down to the stump and a third will grind the stump. Why multiple stages? Think assembly line efficiency.

If tree is on private property, call a certified arborist. Click here to find a certified arborist. Trees on private property can most times be removed all in the same day and unless the tree was diseased a replacement tree can be planted immediately. This is where Casey Trees comes in.

Casey Trees offers multiple programs to help homeowners and groups add trees to their property for free or nominal amount. Here are a few options to consider.

Community Tree Planting (CTP) - The CTP program, established in 2005, is a grassroots approach to planting trees in neighborhoods throughout the District. Individuals and groups interested in adding trees – ten or more – to their apartment complex, school, church, park, synagogue, or even private yard may apply.

Applicants propose a planting site – in DC only – and locations for the trees. Successful applicants are assigned a Casey Trees-trained Lead Citizen Forester as a technical advisor to help applicants determine which tree species to plant and where, and develop a planting plan and maintenance schedule. Casey Trees provides onsite planting help all the required tools and trees.

Requests for a fall (Oct - Dec) planting are due June 15, 2010.

Treescape Design Workshops (TDW) - TDWs teach basic environmental concepts to allow individuals to incorporate trees in their yard or garden landscape. Casey Trees' experienced landscape design experts work with homeowners to create a treescape plan for their residential property.

Participants are encouraged to bring photos of their yard, a sketch of the property, location of existing power lines and trees, yard measurements, and an idea of what you would like your treescape to do for your home i.e. provide shade, seasonal color, lower utility bills, etc.

Each participant receives a FREE shade tree (approx. $250.00 value) delivered to their home. Advance registration is required; space is limited.

RiverSmart Homes - Through a partnership with the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) homeowners may request shade trees be planted on their residential property for $50.00 per tree this spring.

DDOE processes the requests and a Casey Trees representative visits individual homeowners determine the most appropriate trees and locations for planting in each yard. Once the tree species and locations have been chosen, Casey Trees will then schedule the planting. The cost of planting is included in the $50 co-payment. Space is the only limit to the number of trees we can plant on each property.

Tree Rebate - Homeowners who purchase and plant trees on residential property in the District may request a rebate for up to $50.00 per tree (3 trees max per property). Most trees with the exception of invasives and Ash trees qualify. The Tree Rebate helps make adding trees to residential property affordable for the average homeowner and allows individuals to select trees not covered by the RiverSmart Homes program.

Design Resources - Casey Trees provides Design Resources for both residents and developers. Resources include Green Issue Briefs, How To’s, Lunch and Learns and more. These resources provide DIY instruction and simplify the tree selection and planting process.

Remember - remove a tree, add a tree. We can help!

THE BLIZZARD IS OVER. NOW WHAT?

A record amount of snow fell in the District this past week. I felt each inch through my non-waterproof boots. Each inch.

Now that the snow has stopped falling and the City digs out we can turn our attention to the trees that have taken a beating and remind ourselves of best practices to ensure surviving trees can withstand future snow and rain storms.

If you noticed a street tree with any damaged limbs or was completely fallen call the Citywide Comment Line at 311. Be ready to provide them with a street address or intersection of where the damaged tree is located. You will be given a reference number that will allow you to track the request.

If the damaged tree is on private property, the property owner is responsible for the care or removal of the tree. It is important that damaged trees be promptly examined by a certified arborist to determine its structural stability, prevent or treat infection and/or provide restoration pruning.

While lawn care professionals are great and potentially more affordable than arborists, they are not tree experts. Think about it. You wouldn’t have a dentist remove your kids tonsils just because they have a knowledge of how tonsils work and offer you a better deal.

To find a certified arborist in the DMV area, visit the International Society of Arboriculture website. You can search for an arborist by last name, postal code, location or certification id.

What do you risk if you do not hire a professional? Time, money and the life of your tree.

If a large tree has lost or damaged branches, its food source may irreparably damaged. The amount of food a tree can generate for itself is based on its leaf surface. Less leaf surface, less food. Simply removing the branches may be futile if the tree will not be able to sustain itself. A certified arborist can tell you the likelihood of it surviving.

A tree can also generate several sprouts to compensate for the loss of branches. These shoots compete with one another for nutrients and threaten a tree's structure and stability. A certified arborist will be able to select which shoot to make the lead and over time prune the rest.

Lastly if a branch break is left exposed you are putting out a welcome mat out for infections. Remember, trees are just like any other living organism and can develop infections. They are not immune. A certified arborist can determine where to cut the branch back to so the most foliage – its food maker - can be kept.

As the snow melts flush the area around the trunk of street trees with running water to help wash away some of the salt-based deicing agents used on streets and sidewalks. If left, the salt can equalize out the moisture in the soil robbing the tree of water.

The primary take away today is to evaluate trees on and around your property for damage. Report damage to street trees to 311 and contact a certified arborist to examine trees on private property.

On Wednesday I'll tell you how Casey Trees can help you replace damaged or fallen trees and even add new ones through the RiverSmart Homes, Tree Rebate and Community Tree Planting programs. Feel free to click on the name of each program to learn more now.

Until then, happy shoveling.