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.

New Year's Resolution Already Failing You? Let Casey Trees Help!

It's already the second week of 2012 which means you've probably already given up on that fool-proof New Year's resolution you swore to yourself you'd stick to.

You know – the annual lose weight, quit smoking, exercise more aspiration that lasts just a few weeks before the temptation and stresses of everyday life set in? Yes, that one.

Well this year, why don't you try something different?

More and more people are trading in their yearly self-improvement resolutions, and instead are looking to make the New Year a charitable one. Think about giving your New Year's resolution a much-needed makeover and add “giving back” to your list of goals for 2012. It's an easy goal to keep and more times than not can give you the personal satisfaction those hours on a treadmill couldn't.

At Casey Trees we have a number of opportunities that can help you achieve your New Year's Resolution, and at the same time help our city and your neighbors. Here are a few ways for you to reach your 2012 charitable goal:

• Donate/Become a Sponsor. As a non-profit, Casey Trees relies on the generosity of people like you to add trees to our city's parks, schools, and neighborhoods throughout the year. Consider making a tax-deductible donation this year. You can also make a larger gift and sponsor a Tree Planting event ($2,500) or one of our High School Summer Crew members ($4,000) and make a difference in a young person's life this year.
• Volunteer. Casey Trees offers volunteer opportunities for people of all ages and skill levels from our tree planting events in the spring and fall, to our tree care programs, and advocacy work. Those looking to have a more proactive world should consider becoming a Citizen Forester. You can register for our volunteer events online through our Events Calendar.
• Take a Class. Casey Trees hosts free year-round educational courses on topics ranging from basic tree biology to proper tree care to community advocacy training classes. Attending one of our classes also qualifies you as a Casey Trees Citizen Forester.

Try something a little different and join Casey Trees this New Year and make that 2012 resolution a success.

Be like John, become a Citizen Forester

Just who in D.C. helps to plant trees and advocate for greater tree protection? People like John Clary.

In this month's Leaflet, we profiled John, a Citizen Forester since 2011. Get to know John by reading the feature below and then train to be a Citizen Forester yourself by registering for one or all qualifying classes - Trees 101, Stand Up for Trees and Tree Planting. All classes are free but advance registration is required and space is limited.

Thanks for all your help John!

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John Clary wanted to know the difference between scarlet and pin oaks.

In fall 2010, the first-year Citizen Forester took a forest ecology class with some people who had volunteered with Casey Trees. They told him about the Casey Trees’ street tree map and that’s where he started his search.

After learning more about Casey Trees, he enrolled in Trees 101 in February 2011 and attended a few pruning events during the summer.

The 27-year-old Shaw resident grew up near Chicago and moved to the District in 2008 for work. Some of his fondest tree memories include rope swings, tree houses, and diving platforms. As an adult living in the District, Clary realizes trees offer more than just recreational benefits.

“Without our shade trees, we couldn’t survive the brutal D.C. summers,” he said.

Clary enjoys waking up on Saturdays to plant — do not forget the coffee! — but the community aspect of the Community Tree Planting program is what makes him excited for next season.

“The opportunity to see new parts of the city and meet other tree enthusiasts, including the outstanding Casey Trees staff, has been most enjoyable,” he said.

D.C.’s trees mean a lot to Clary, who testified in a D.C. Council public hearing in December on the Urban Forestry Administration Reorganization Act of 2011. Again, community is at the heart of Clary’s service.

“It’s humbling to think that a tree you’ve planted has the potential to survive well beyond your own lifetime,” Clary said. “That’s a long-term investment in your community.”

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.

Thank You, Advisory Board Volunteers!

Kudos to all the volunteers who helped out at a tree care event yesterday! 5 volunteers from The Advisory Board and one resident from Petworth came out to help us water 25 trees at Sherman Circle and 15 trees at Saint Gabriel's Catholic Church.

Casey Trees hosted a Community Tree Planting event at Saint Gabriel's last November (see photos from this event), and one at Sherman Circle last April. It's important that the young trees we planted at both sites now receive proper care and adequate water. Yesterday, Thursday June 21, we were able to attend to their needs with the help of the volunteers. Thank you so much for your time and effort!

A volunteer waters one of the 25 trees that were cared for at Sherman Circle on Thursday.

Volunteer groups will be helping us follow 25 to Stay Alive for our newly planted trees all summer. If you are interested in organizing a tree care event, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Carol Herwig at cherwig@caseytrees.org. Feel free to check out our other volunteer opportunities as well.

Thank You, Independent Sector Volunteers!

Thanks so much to everyone from Independent Sector for helping us keep our trees healthy! This past Friday, 15 volunteers from Independent Sector planted and watered 10 fruit trees (replacements and new trees) and watered 50 trees along the Metropolitan Branch Trail. Casey Trees hosted community tree planting events in April and this past December on the Met Branch Trail. Kelly Pack from Rails to Trails Conservancy also attended along with seven Casey Trees staff members.

Volunteer groups will be helping us follow 25 to Stay Alive for our newly planted trees all summer. If you are interested in organizing a tree care event, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Carol Herwig at cherwig@caseytrees.org.

A couple of trees planted by us on the Met Branch Trail in April.

Casey Trees Celebrates National Volunteer Appreciation Week

Casey Trees Celebrates National Volunteer Appreciation Week

Today, we recognize Joseph Bui, a Casey Trees' Citizen Forester since 2007, as part of National Volunteer Appreciation Week.

Joseph wanted to learn about how to prune trees, so he took a class with Casey Trees in 2007. “I heard about it through a friend. Some of my trees on my property needed a lot of pruning.”

His first planting was at Murch Elementary School. These days, he mostly volunteers with Casey Trees as a Citizen Forester at weekday school plantings because of the way his job, with Convio, is structured. It allows him to take time off during the workday to volunteer.

“I like to go outside and get messy in the dirt. It’s nice sense of accomplishment to plant a tree in the morning. The staff is nice.” He finds that most volunteer opportunities that come to him through his job don’t allow him the contact with the people receiving the benefits. “Whereas at Casey Trees, you come into contact with the people who are receiving the trees. I like that a lot.”
He praises Casey Trees’ organization. “You make it very easy to find out about and take part in events.”

And then there’s the benefit of seeing the fruits of his labor. “As I go around the city, I see trees that I planted pretty frequently. … It’s nice to see the results.”

Casey Trees Celebrates National Volunteer Appreciation Week

Does Patricia inspire you? Register to volunteer at an upcoming Community Tree Planting event.

Casey Trees Celebrates National Volunteer Appreciation Week

Inspired by Stephen's commitment to building community? Register to volunteer at an upcoming Community Tree Planting event.

Casey Trees Celebrates National Volunteer Appreciation Week

National Volunteer Appreciation Week

Casey Trees is pleased to celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week by profiling members of its Citizen Forester Volunteer Corps. All week we will be running print ads in various publications and profiling them on our blog to say thank you for everything they do. Today we salute Yousef Master and Sara Carr.

Yousef Master and Sara Carr found Casey Trees through Sara’s former colleague at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, long-time Citizen Forester Gregg Serenbetz. Now Citizen Foresters themselves, they are contributing to the next generation of CFs. Their son, Xavier, made his first cameo appearance at the final planting of the 2010 winter season at the Metropolitan Branch Trail event and has become a spring regular.

“We wanted something environmental,” Yousef says. The physical work feels good. “It’s a good way to start the weekend — We don’t sleep in anymore with this guy — And we’re usually done by noon.”

Another benefit: “It’s really cool to see parts of the city, from far Northwest to Anacostia, plus cool places like Tudor Place.”

Consider volunteering yourself. Our spring 2011 Community Tree Planting season runs until May 7.

Community Tree Planting Recap - Crestwood

At the penultimate Casey Trees Community Tree Planting event of the year, neighbors and volunteers came together to make a major residential tree planting effort this past weekend in Crestwood. It was a nice day for planting trees, although it certainly was cold! We planted 35 trees representing a wide variety of species: red maple, willow oak, river birch, sweetgum, black tupelo, northern red oak, American Holly, American Elm, American Beech, serviceberry, white fringe and redbud.

Removing a newly placed tree from its burlap wrapping.

We had a turnout of 61 volunteers (18 of them were Citizen Foresters), including groups from American University, George Washington University, Society for Green Business, For Love of Children and DC Cares. We would also like to specifically thank the Crestwood Citizens Association, project co-organizers Doug Barker and Frank Samuel, our staff liason Maisie Hughes and lead Citizen Forester Jeff Furr for making this event possible.

Volunteers enjoy a well-deserved lunch after a chilly tree planting.

Crestwood was also recently the site of two Casey Trees Trees Count neighborhood tree inventories, in 2009 and 2010, as a part of an ongoing partnership between Casey Trees and the Crestwood Citizens Association.

Community Tree Planting Recap - Michigan Park and Edgewood

Northeast DC just got a little bit greener this weekend. Casey Trees staff and volunteers had a pleasant autumn Saturday planting trees at two locations in Northeast.

In a Community Tree Planting organized with the Michigan Park Citizens Association, nineteen Casey Trees volunteers planted fifteen trees, including Allegheny serviceberry, river birch, Deodar cedar, Japanese cedar, honey locust, Foster’s holly, tulip poplar and American elm. This is the second planting we've done with the Citizens Association, and we have another one planned for Spring 2011. Our thanks go out to Lead Citizen Forester Mariuccia Marolo and Project Organizers W. Thomas Lavash and Lori Moller for making this event possible.

We worked with the Edgewood Civic Association to plant 25 trees (cherries, river birch, katsura, southern magnolia and sweetbay magnolia). One southern magnolia was planted in the name of Kenyatta Stanley, a teenager killed by a stray bullet in 2009. Attending the memorial shoveling of the soil were her mother, Sharon Stanley; her sister and brother. We had a turnout of 46 volunteers, including fifteen of our Citizen Foresters, Councilmember Harry Thomas, ANC Commissioner Silas Grant, and members from Greater DC Cares and the Edgewood Civic Association. Thanks to Lead Citizen Forester Scott Opis and Project Organizer Tim Clark!

After a short break for Thanksgiving, we look forward to meeting more volunteers who want to help out in Crestwood on December 4th. Sign up on our website.

Community Tree Planting Recap - St. Gabriel's Church

Kudos to the 50+ volunteers who came out to re-tree St. Gabriel's Church on Grant Circle in NW. We had a lot of student support from The American University, George Washington University and University of Maryland, College Park. 

We hope you caught the tree planting bug and come out again. Four Community Tree Planting events remain. Sign up.

Community Tree Planting Recap - Tilden Gardens and Ellington Field

It's the middle of prime planting time in the fall, so we're making the best of the great weather! This past Saturday, with the help of our volunteers and community groups, Casey Trees organized two Community Tree Planting events, one at Tilden Gardens, and one at Ellington Field.

The Tilden Gardens CTP had an incredible turnout with 55 volunteers (including 10 Citizen Foresters). Sixteen trees were planted, with eight varieties represented: serviceberry, river birch, redbud, holly, red cedar, sweetbay magnolia, Yoshino cherry and swamp white oak. This is a great five-acre property and local residents really showed up in force to help out.

The CTP sponsored by the Burleith Citizens Association at Ellington field had the largest volunteer turnout of this season with 130 volunteers (including 11 Citizen Foresters). Groups from B&D Consulting, Ellington High School, Maret School, Georgetown University Alternate Spring Break, Georgetown men's and women's track teams, Burleith Citizens Association and Youth Villages all showed up to lend a shovel. There was definitely a lot of Georgetown blue and gray at this planting! Volunteers helped to plant 20 trees: holly, hornbeam, southern magnolia, red maple, sweetgum, London planetree, redbud, Chinese fringetree and tulip poplar.

As you can see from the turnout from this past weekend, volunteers and local community support really make these plantings possible. Thanks to all who came out to plant trees with us.

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Apply for a CTP. Volunteer at a CTP event. Download the fall CTP schedule. Sponsor a CTP event.
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The CTP 411

Our fall Community Tree Planting (CTP) season kicks off this Saturday afternoon with the planting of 25 trees on the grounds of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Rock Creek Parish in NW. Those doing the planting are our new batch of Citizen Foresters enrolled in this week's Tree Planting class. This is the first of 20 tree planting events scheduled to take place this fall between October 2 and December 11. When winter hits, over 400 new trees will be calling the District home.

Thousands of volunteers have helped us plant trees across DC through the CTP program since it launched in 2005 but not everyone knows how planting sites are selected, where the trees come from, the role of Lead Citizen Foresters in stewarding the projects, how all the trees and tools magically appear the morning of the planting, who the saint is that delivers coffee and bagels and so on.

The next two weeks of blog posts will demystify the process and bring much deserved attention to those who make the re-treeing of DC possible. Our very own Urban Forestry Manager, David DiPietro, will author the posts and get us excited for fall - the ideal time to plant trees.

For those of you interested in volunteering to help plant trees, view the complete fall CTP schedule, then sign up to attend. If you would like to become a Citizen Forester, make a day of it and register for the Tree Planting class this Saturday, October 2. All our classes are free unless noted.