Leaf infections called "galls" are bumps or growths caused as a result of the feeding and other activity of insects or mites. Powerful growth regulating chemicals produced by feeding insects or mites cause galls can occur on leaves, bark, flowers, buds, acorns, or roots. Although these galls may look like a serious problem, most are harmless to the overall health of the tree.

The Gall Discussion

Gall on Oak Leaf, About Forestry Forum Photo

There was no organized program to manage and protect United States' forests before 1875. No organization existed to champion fledgling forestry efforts being developed to save and manage American forests. There was no government over-site for vast stretches of American trees and no fire protection. Not one professional forester was trained in the United States.

All that was about to change.

Forestry became an American profession at the end of the 19th Century and was first taught at Cornell University and Yale. These universities created the first college level forestry schools in the Western Hemisphere. University-taught foresters were primarily employed in the newly created United States Division of Forestry, later to be called the United States Forest Service.

A massive conservation movement took the Nation by storm and was instrumental in the creation of the first Timberland Reserve which later became know as Yellowstone National Park. Millions of acres of forest land were later purchased to make up one of the largest public forest ownerships in the World - our National Forests. We still enjoy these forests today...

Yellowstone Timber Reserve - National Park Service Illustration

Most well-established trees can tolerate some drought. Much depends on the drought resistance of certain species and whether they are growing on an appropriate site.

Moisture sensitive tree species like dogwoods, Japanese maples, flowering cherries, and birches may need extra water in times of drought. Oaks, red maples, tulip poplars, sycamores, crabapples, hawthorns, elms, gingkos, and hackberries are noted for their drought resistance so should be a preferred species to plant in drought-prone areas.

Japanese Maple Leaf Scorch - Steve Nix Photo, Licensed to About.com

Nearly every state and province has a forestry association that represents forestry practiced by both the forest owner and forestry trade organizations. These forestry associations are designed to protect timber growers and timber processors from excessive regulation, provide them with continuing education in the effort to grow and harvest trees and recognize excellent forest stewardship. Here are many of the largest forestry associations in North America. Let me know if I missed your favorite!

A United States Forest Service report called the Check List of Native and Naturalized Trees suggests that there may be more than 865 different species of trees in the United States. Here are the 10 most common native tree species in the United States, based on several Federal surveys of tree stem count, and are listed with the most common first:

• Red Maple or (Acer rubrum) - Acer rubrum illustration
• Loblolly Pine or (Pinus taeda) - Pinus taeda illustration
• Sweetgum or (Liquidambar styraciflua) - Liquidambar styraciflua illustration
• Douglas Fir or (Pseudotsuga menziesii) - Pseudotsuga menziesii illustration
• Quaking Aspen or (Populus tremuloides) - Populus tremuloides illustration
• Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) - Acer saccharum illustration
• Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) - Abies balsamea illustration
• Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) - Cornus florida illustration
• Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta) - Pinus contorta illustration
• White Oak (Quercus alba) - Quercus alba illustration

Nearly Five years after being voted the United States' favorite tree, Congressional passage and presidential signing of an historic bill made it official in 2004 - the Oak was selected as America's National Tree. The actual voting took 4 months to cast and tally but did not become official for years after that vote.

The oak tree was selected from 21 candidate trees based on broad tree categories (genera) that included the State Trees of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Redwood was selected as runner-up in the Arbor Day Foundation supported effort.

• Official State Tree of U. S. States and Territories
• Oak Tree Wins Vote For National Tree

The common fig (Ficus carica) is a small tree, native to southwest Asia. This edible fig is widely admired for its fruit and commercially grown in the United States in California, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. It also makes a great tree for the Southern landscape and fruits in southern climes in mid-July.

In the U.S., figs typically ripen from July through frost in the South, August and later as you travel north. In my personal case, I have way too many figs for my family to use and have to work at preventing waste. My advice to fig growers with an abundant fig crop is to be creative. Here are some suggestions:

• Eat as many fresh ripe figs as you can. They are delicious, nutritious and great as a breakfast fruit or morning snack.
• Can or preserve the fig fruit or prepare as a jam. Use these preserving tips from About Gardening Guide Marie Iannotti.
• Freeze the fig fruit and enjoy at anytime, in any recipe.
• Dry the fruit and package for future consumption.
• Share with friends and birds.

Ficus carica also has a very important history. It was one of the first plants ever to be cultivated by humans. Fossilized figs dating to 9400-9200 BC were found in an early Neolithic village in the Jordan Valley. About's Archaeology Guide, Kris Hirst says figs were domesticated "five thousand years earlier" than millet or wheat. This common fig has been very kind to us throughout human history.

• The History of the Domestication of Fig Trees

My Fig Tree in Montgomery, Alabama - Photo by Steve Nix, Licensed to About.com

American elm is the most popular of urban shade trees in the United States. Ulmus americana has long been planted along downtown city streets in North America. The tree is now a bit out of favor when considered for urban tree planting because of its susceptibility to Dutch elm disease.

Clif Brown, a poster on my forestry forum, has produced an excellent video on the American elm. His fine pictures, taken on a walk around the block, bring back some of the former glory of the elm and assures us that the American elm can still be admired. Please enjoy Clif's Micromovies: Noticing the Elm.

American Elm - Photo by Clif Brown

The United States Forest Service and The Department of Interior are concerned about the fire risk to human communities next to properties they manage. This Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) is where people intermix with wildland fuels. In some cases humans and their property are in harms way as wildfire occurrence is a probability at some point in time.

There are now projects that involve state and federal agencies to help reduce these hazards to property and people. Read this discussion on how the USFS Leadville Ranger District in Colorado is involved in this process. Some interesting photographs are included.

• What is a WUI? - A Discussion With Photos
• National Forests - State by State

Fire Prevention Work in a Wildland Urban Interface - Jim Zornes, USFS

"I've been trying to chase an armadillo back to his home for 7 or 8 days. We've had a 23 day drought and critters are coming out of the woods. We did get about 1/2 inchs or rain Wednesday and about 1 inch yesterday but he's still here. The lawn is getting messier and messier AND NOW he has dug a tunnel under a big (the biggest) tree in my back yard. What do I do?" - The Forestry Forum

Michigan State University has a great armadillo site and pretty much describes the animal in its entirety. They do a great job describing armadillo problems to include control methods and options at accommodating the animal if control measures fail.

The site suggests that "armadillos in your yard are not always a bad thing. They tend to leave larger, established plants alone, and they keep insect and other pest levels down by eating them — a much more environmentally friendly way of pest control than using chemicals in your garden." In their final tongue-in-cheek analysis, "if you really can’t handle having an armadillo in your yard, you could always move to a state that does not have armadillos."

Photo Credit: Michigan State University