A biofuel future for poplar

03.01.2010

Poplar trees (genus Populus, not to be confused with yellow-poplar, Liriodendron tulipifera) are among the fastest-growing trees in the world, and represent a diverse wide-spread genus of trees.  Poplars are grown in plantations for pulp and paper, and have great potential as feedstock for biofuels production. Poplars have a lot of advantages as experimental plants, [...]

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Goldspotted oak borer, a new threat to California forests

03.01.2010

The goldspotted oak borer, Agrilus coxalis Waterhouse (Coleoptera:Buprestidae), is adding to the woes of California’s magnificent oak forests.  While sudden oak death is killing oak and other trees in the northern part of the state, the oak forests of the southern part of the state have escaped damage due to the dry conditions that prevent [...]

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Maple sap flowing in Maine

03.01.2010

The annual maple sap flow has begun early in parts of Maine. According to the Bangor Daily News, mild day and night temperatures and a lack of snow is having a strong effect on Maine’s maple syrup industry.  The average start date for sap flow in Maine is March 20, with central Maine beginning March [...]

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Pawpaw in flower

05.28.2009

Pawpaw, Asimina triloba, is a small understory tree very common in Appalachian forests. The fruit, prized by people and possums alike, has a custardy texture and flavor. The fruit, as well as the tree, is called Hoosier banana, at least in Indiana. Pawpaw is a member of the family Annonaceae, an important family of mainly [...]

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Spring Leaves

04.28.2009

Have you every looked closely at tree leaves in spring?  Our eyes are drawn to showy flowers and flitting birds, but a close look at emerging leaves shows some astonishing beauty. The most interesting thing about spring leaves is the intricate folding.  Leaves are often folded in half (as in redbud and hickory) or have [...]

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Herald-Leader article

03.13.2009

My article on trees, ice storms and power is available at the Lexington Herald-Leader.  Comments on the article are welcome at Sustainable Kentucky. You may want to see the first part of my slide show “Ice, Trees and Power”  Part 2 will be available this evening.

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Ice, Trees and Power, Part I

03.09.2009

The worst ice storm in Kentucky’s history struck the state in early February 2009, wiping out power to nearly 1 million homes and businesses. In urban areas, most power outages were caused by trees striking power lines. In my op-ed piece to appear in the Lexington Herald-Leader, I argue that most damage due to ice [...]

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Stimulus Bill has funds for abandoned mine reclamation, other forest improvements

02.13.2009

The stimulus bill includes $650 Million for Forest Service capital improvement and maintenance. Much of stimulus money will go to correct the huge backlog of Forest Service deferred maintenance. Forest Service programs to be funded include: priority road, bridge and trail maintenance and decommissioning, including related watershed restoration and ecosystem enhancement projects; facilities improvement, maintenance [...]

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Urban Forestry cut from final stimulus bill

02.13.2009

The $790 billion stimulus bill, now out in final form, does not include funding for urban forestry improvements that were in the original House version of the bill. The original bill included funding within wildlands fire management that could provide urban forestry funding: $550,000,000… for State fire assistance hazardous fuels projects, volunteer fire assistance, cooperative [...]

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Friday Photography – Witchhazel

12.12.2008

  Flower of witchhazel, Hamamelis virginiana.  Witchhazel is the only native shrub that flowers in the winter in the eastern US. It is commonly found along streambanks and in coves and other rich, moist sites.  Witchhazel is the source of the astringent and cleansing agents sold as Witch Hazel.  Witchhazel is pollinated by the winter [...]

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