Tree News

I've begun a series of short articles regarding the recent Atlanta storms on the Onebark Blog . Check it out; I'll be posting installments over the next week.

This morning, the metro residents were awakened to several hours of falling trees and limbs. Although the weather system did not look particularly ominous, I struck out for my morning appointments. In northwest Atlanta, I was greeted by residential streets blocked by both dead and live trees that had toppled across the roadways. In one instance, as I backed away from a fallen tree in the Margaret Mitchell neighborhood, I caught a glimpse of a pine falling across the street behind me. I was now actually blocked on both sides! I was able to get out of my Jeep, and quickly pull back enough of the tree top to create an escape route. This is one of the few times in storm history that I was afraid to be in my vehicle. I drove down the street to a cul-de-sac, where no tall trees existed, until the winds died down. This windstorm was caused by intermittent downdrafts, creating wave-like patterns across the landscape. These waves are very forceful and can cause trees to fail in unexpected...

The eastern tent caterpillar was seen in full force yesterday. Mostly a pest of Black cherry Prunus serrata here in the Southeast, it can sometimes be seen in several other common trees as well. The caterpillar forms a dense, white 'tent' in the crotches of tree branches, where the caterpillar rests. While it is not a particularly damaging insect, it can weaken already stressed trees by causing the host tree to sprout new leaves. This resprouting leaves the tree with a short energy deficeit in the early spring. It is rarely worth trying to control this insect unless they are active in a high-value tree. Broadcast sprays of insecticides work well but are environmentally risky; professional systemic control with Acephate is confined and effective.

Keep Cobb Beautiful ’s program "Cobb Trees" is hosting its season finale tree planting on Saturday, March 21, at the walking trails of Al Bishop Park, 1082 Al Bishop Drive, Marietta. This comes on the heels of Marietta' s recent mass, citywide tree replacement program . Volunteers are needed to help preserve and beautify this area. Check-in and refreshments begin at 8:30 a.m. with a demonstration and planting at 9 a.m. To celebrate the successful season, a cookout will follow the tree planting. Pre-registration is required to ensure adequate food, supplies and planting materials for volunteers. To volunteer, visit Keep Cobb Beautiful , or call (770) 528-1135 and ask for the Cobb Trees program.

The dreaded Asian Ambrosia Beetle has made its seasonal appearance. Asian ambrosia beetle damage was found at two Georgia nurseries [names withheld], attacking an October Glory red maple and some other woody plant material. The Asian Ambrosia beetle is a minute ambrosia beetle of Asian origin that was first detected in the continental United States near Charleston, South Carolina. It apparently has spread along the lower Piedmont region and coastal plain to North Carolina, Louisiana, Florida, and East Texas. Xylosandrus crassiusculus adult beetles and larva bore into the trunks of trees, excavating a system of tunnels and introduce a fungus on which they feed. The fungus clogs the xylem, killing the plant. Beetle damage can be seen as spines of boring dust, with the appearance of a broken toothpick, protruding from tiny holes. Unlike other ambrosia beetles, which normally attack only stressed or damaged plants, Asian ambrosia beetles can attack reasonably healthy plants. Preventat...

The Georgia Urban Forestry Council is offering an advanced skills course in tree appraisal: Location : Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences, 4182 Forsyth Road, Macon, GA. Participants will review the common methodologies available to tree appraisers, and delve into how these methodologies apply to real-world scenarios. Topics will include tree appraisal theory, review of common alternative methods, unusual circumstances, and development of the value premise. Both beginners and more advanced students will benefit. Instructors: Jesse Milton, President, Onebark, Board Certified Master Arborist; Rob Swanson, President, Specimen Tree, Certified Arborist February 11, 8:30 a.m to 4 p.m. $100 members, $110 non-members Lunch provided. 6 ISA CEUs and 7 SAF contact hours will be offered. Certificates of attendance are available for all. Click here for a registration form (PDF).

Palms are not just for warm climates. The Windmill Palm Trachycarpus fortunei is the most cold hardy Palm 'tree' that you can grow in the Piedmont, tolerating temperatures as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit. The trunk of this tree can mature between 20 and 40 feet, depending on soil and sunlight conditions. Full, blazing sun is the key to growing this palm. This tree, er...grass, can fit well into small areas like courtyards and entries. It is often seen as a framing accent near Mediterranean-influenced architecture. One of my favorite contexts is the Windmill palm planted in a group, especially when palms of different heights are staggered in irregular patterns. The trick to finding a palm species to grow in Atlanta is finding one that will tolerate the cold, heat, AND humidity.