Sugg-Jeff-tion: Winter 2024

Sugg-Jeff-tion

A Note From Jeffrey Popp, Director of Restoration

Happy New Year!

As we reflect on the holidays, many people have committed to numerous New Year’s resolutions. Some of the most common resolutions include spending more time outdoors, exercising more, or being more active in your community. What if I told you there was a great activity that most anyone can do that would help meet all three of these objectives? Today is your lucky day- that activity is removing English Ivy and other invasive vines from your local trees.

As you already know, English Ivy and other invasive vines can negatively impact trees and forest habitats as they outcompete native trees for water, light, and nutrients, and once large enough can cause mature trees to topple. Invasive vines continue to grow in the place of fallen trees, preventing successful regeneration of new trees, especially in disturbed areas. Once established it is near impossible for new trees to grow in areas were invasive vines have the competitive advantage, leading to ecosystem crash. In communities this can also lead to significant property damage and safety concerns as trees are closer to people and buildings. The good news is that you can help!

Deemed the “newest winter sport in Anne Arundel County” by our partners at Save Our Trees, removing English Ivy and other invasive vines from mature trees is best done in winter when the trees are dormant, the vines are easy to locate and identify, and there are less mosquitos and ticks. Once you identify the vines, pulling the plant out by the root is the best method to kill the entire plant. However, if you are unable to remove the root, use garden pruners to cut vines around 4 feet up from the tree base around the entire trunk of the tree. Pull the cut vines down from where you cut to the root, to reduce the chances of them resprouting and climbing back up the tree. Vines above the cut can be left in place and will eventually die, fall off the tree, and decompose. For more information on vine removal, check out this educational video by Save our Trees. Once you are done, celebrate your hard work, give that tree a hug, and move on to the next one. Cut, pull, repeat. 

So, stick to those new year resolutions and get outside, get your exercise, and help your community trees by killing those vines. Not only will you feel accomplished for saving the trees, but you will be meeting at least three of those New Year’s resolutions at the same time.  Just a sugg-Jeff-tion!

-Jeffrey Popp, Director of Restoration

Latin for Gardeners: December 2023

December’s Native Maryland Plant: 

All of them!

Hello Master Watershed Stewards, Naturalists and Gardeners!

I hope you enjoyed planting many native plants this year: to manage stormwater runoff, support biodiversity and create a healthier environment for all of us. It’s time to test your knowledge of the botanical names of the plants that were featured in 2023’s ‘Latin for Gardeners’. It’s always best to use the Latin names of plants when you recommend them to friends and the public – there’s only one Latin name for a plant so it avoids confusion and ensures people select the right plant when shopping at nurseries.

The first group of photos shows the plants in their bloom time with their botanical name listed. The second group shows them in in their winter dress. Do you still recognize them? Can you match the number of each plant in bloom to the letter of them in winter? I’ve given you some clues to help. Good luck, or as they say in Latin, “Fortuna!”

~ Alison Milligan – Mstr. Gardener/Mstr. Naturalist/Mstr. Watershed Steward

Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP), AA County Tree Trooper

aligmilligan@gmail.com

Latin for Gardeners: November 2023

November’s Native Maryland Plant

Eurybia divaricata (L.) Nesom

(yoor-RIB-ee-uh dy-vair-ih-KAY-tuh)

Common Name: White Wood Aster

Eurybia divaricata (formerly Aster divaricatus) is a rhizomatous perennial groundcover that is typically found in wooded areas.  I consider it an outstanding groundcover in that it can thrive in full shade, in dry soil (even under pines), with little regard for soil compaction or pH – it’s also one of the first asters to bloom in my garden. Its heart-shaped, coarsely serrated, dark green leaves cover the ground in spring, and by mid-summer clusters of small composite flowers emerge - white rays with yellow discs that turn to purple as the plant ages; these flowers light up dark wooded areas and provide food for some of the smallest of pollinators. In the fall the seedheads are eaten by birds.

White wood aster is a wonderful companion for many native woodland sedges and ferns. It is also the host plant for the Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) butterfly.

As wonderful as Eurybia divarcata is as a woodland groundcover, during the winter months I allow it to be hidden by a blanket of leaves. Like many of you, I’ve spent countless hours carefully selecting and planting native plants to support pollinators and other life and I don’t use pesticides. Much of that effort is diminished if I remove leaves that these creatures rely on for winter protection.

Resist the urge to blow your leaves; they provide critical habitat for overwintering pollinators, including the Pearl Crescent and many other butterflies, moths, and beetles. Decomposing leaves build healthy soil, suppress weeds, retain moisture, nourish plants, and provide valuable forage for birds. Leaving the leaves means you’ll see more butterflies and bees in the spring – maybe even the Pearl Crescent if you plant Eurybia divaricata.

¹ a period of suspended development in an insect

Alison Milligan – MG/MN 2013

Watershed Steward Class 7/CBLP

aligmilligan@gmail.com

Sugg-Jeff-tion: Fall 2023

Diversity is the key to life… 

With the cooler weather comes the stunning fall foliage that transform our forests, gardens, and other natural areas into a rainbow of colors that we have all have grown to love and appreciate. The term “leaf peeping” has been coined to describe the act of going out in search of the most vibrant and outstanding fall colors to photograph or just admire in person.  

Did you know that you can leaf peep right in your own yard to help you asses the amount of biodiversity you have in your plantings? Biodiverse landscapes are not only more attractive to wildlife such as birds and pollinators, but are also more resilient to diseases and pests. As the luscious greens of summer fade to the yellows, oranges, reds, purples, and browns of fall, you can quickly make a visual assessment of the amount of diversity in your plantings since in many cases the same species will eventually fade to a similar color. You can note the missing colors in your landscape and make a plan to augment with additional plantings during the next planting season.   

Missing red in your landscape? Add a pin oak (Quercus palustris), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), or serviceberry (Amelanchier sp.). Missing some orange? Add American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), or staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina). Need more yellow in your landscape? Pawpaw (Asimina triloba), eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis), or willow oak (Quercus phellos) will all make your landscape GLOW. Craving a splash of purple? Plant an American beautyberry shrub (Callicarpa americana) and the birds (and probably your neighbors too) will flock to see the beautiful berries that hang on until well after leaf drop. 

The good news is that WSA offers many of these trees through our Groves of Gratitude Program. You can order a collection of five trees or individual trees that include mulch and deer protection for a small donation. This program is a great way to create an explosion of color (and diversity!) on your property next fall, while also supporting a great cause! To learn more, click here.  

So, get outside, enjoy this cool weather, and figure out which colors you’d like to add to your landscape by doing some leaf peeping in your own yard. That's my sugg-Jeff-tion!

- Jeffrey Popp, Director of Restoration