Walking Stick in the Garden

Corylus avellana 'Contorta', also known as "Harry Lauder's walking stick" or Corkscrew Hazel, from my friend's garden here at the farm. Picture taken March 9th (before I got sick). I'll try and give you an update soon to see what happens when the buds open!

Alive and Kicking

I’m not dead, but if you’d asked me a few days ago I might have said yes. My apologies for my two-week absence: I’ve been sick!

In other news, spring is awakening around the farm, and there is so much to show you! I’m sowing seeds and watching the first flowers awaken, including Winter aconite, daffodils, and croci. (Guess what I discovered when I looked back at last year's entries for those links? I was sick at almost the exact same time last year!) As soon as I get out with my camera, I'll have pictures for you.

And to toot my horn a little, I had a photograph published in Pennsylvania Pursuits Magazine. It’s one of my images of the mulberry trees from around the farm. If you subscribe, flip to the end of the magazine to find my image with a silk worm article.

There is more ahead. Thank you all for your patience, kindness, and support, and HAPPY SPRING!

PS – So tell me, how fast does the Arboreality header image load for you? If it’s not showing up, please let me know so I can find another image hosting service!

New Natural Lands Trust blog

If you’ve ever browsed the Conservation and Preservation blogs listed in Arboreality’s sidebar, you’ve likely ventured around the various Natural Lands Trust blogs that featured news from conservation efforts around my area.

The Natural Lands Trust has now created one, central blog featuring news from preserves around the area. Be sure to stop by to see what folks are doing for the trees, forests, and wildlife in my neck of the woods!

If you'd like to read more about what's going on in Southeast Pennsylvania, check out our previous discussion with Bill Gladden about Open Space Preservation in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Spring is Coming!

The breeze is warm tonight at sunset. This black walnut will be one of the last trees to put out leaves this spring, followed by the butternut.

I have a great collection of images to share with you this week showing the first signs of swelling buds on trees and flowering plants. I'm also going to do something about that header - thanks for your patience while Arboreality enjoys a little maintenance.

No No Zoto

Well, my photo hosting at Zoto is no more, so please bear with me – our forested header and icons will return shortly!

As you can see, Spring is not far off here outside Philadelphia!

Fresh Snow in Philadelphia

The farm and its surrounding forests are donning a fresh blanket of snow today. Right now, we just have a dusting that allows the gold of dead grasses and blush of red rosecanes shine through in the snow. We may get up to three inches, but I won’t be holding my breath. ;) Don't you just love the way snow highlights every curve on those trees?

The Intrinsic Value of Trees?

Over at the Crow’s Nest Preserve blog, Dan Barringer is sharing a recent study examining the value of preserving and maintaining healthy ecosystems.

The discussion points to some less tangible ways to measure the value of trees and forests as they relate to the ongoing health of both human and wild communities.

Check it out and let us know what you think!

Festival of the Trees 9 now online at Riverside Rambles

Larry of Riverside Rambles has done an excellent job of collecting a wide diversity of tree, forest, and wood related posts for this month’s Festival of the Trees 9. Be sure to hop over with a cup of tea in hand – you’re going to be there a while!

The Festival of the Trees runs on the first of every month. If you would like to submit to next month’s festival of the trees, or volunteer to be a host, check out the Festival of the Trees coordinating blog for more information.