About Forestry

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - Our Unofficial National Tree

2009-11-12T04:46:43Z

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - December 2, 2009 from 7-9 p.m. - On NBC Television

While not officially a National Christmas Tree, New York City's Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is the biggest, brightest, most famous Christmas tree on our planet. It's lighting is an annual television event. The tree is nearly always a Norway Spruce and grown by enthusiasts hoping for the honor of having their tree chosen to be displayed at Rockefeller Center. The event takes place just after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

There is - or are - several official national trees. I am still not certain as to which is the most official, but there are at least four trees that can make that claim: National Christmas Trees - All the Confusion

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - Our Unofficial National Tree originally appeared on About.com Forestry on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 04:46:43.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Studying and Identifying Many Common Trees You Encounter

2009-11-11T18:14:05Z

A tree is probably the most common, naturally growing or cultivated, living organism you will ever encounter on a daily basis. Most people I know have a real desire to learn more about a tree including looking at a tree in hopes to identify that tree. With this in mind, I have put together a list of things to think about and tools that will help you identify a tree.

Treehugger - Getty Image

Studying and Identifying Many Common Trees You Encounter originally appeared on About.com Forestry on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 18:14:05.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Your Next Christmas Tree, Consider Norfolk Island Pine

2009-11-10T05:37:35Z

You might want to consider Norfolk Island pine as your next living Christmas tree and turn it into a house plant after the Holiday season. I love Norfolk Island Pine or Araucaria heterophylla as they make a great house plant and turned into a little Christmas tree. There are a few tricks to growing it for maximum success so read my Norfolk Island Pine management feature.

Here are several quotes from the experts:

Extension Nursery Specialist Dr. Leonard Perry says: "If you want to invest in a houseplant with a future, buy a Norfolk Island pine. It requires minimal care, and because it grows slowly will remain small and attractive for many years indoors."

Horticulturist Rosie Lerner says: "The Norfolk Island pine has grown in popularity as a live indoor Christmas tree. Its lush green twigs of soft needles provide a lovely backdrop for festive holiday ornaments."

Norfolk Island Pine - Getty Image

Your Next Christmas Tree, Consider Norfolk Island Pine originally appeared on About.com Forestry on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 05:37:35.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Identify Osage Orange

2009-11-09T06:28:51Z

It is reported that the Osage Indians made their hunting bows from this beautiful and hard wood, and it is also used to make furniture. From April to June, Osage-Orange puts out its inconspicuous green flowers but these are followed by the very conspicuous fruits.

The fruits are four to five-inch-diameter, rough-textured, heavy green balls which ripen to yellow-green and fall in October and November. These fruits are inedible, the juice acid and milky, but squirrels relish the small seeds buried inside the pulp. When the fruits drop, they can be very messy and, for this reason, male, fruitless trees should be selected if you plant this tree.

Virginia Tech's department of dendrology has more information on Osage-orange.
Maclura pomifera Fact Sheet

Identify Osage Orange originally appeared on About.com Forestry on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 06:28:51.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Christmas Tree Quiz - Find Out How Much You Know

2009-11-07T01:02:51Z

How much do you really know about Christmas trees and their grand North American tradition? Take this Christmas tree quiz and find out. The quiz is not designed to be easy but don't let that put you off. Pay attention to the correct answers and you will be much more aware of the Christmas tree tradition plus you will learn a lot about the symbol's history and the industry that grows the tree.

Another interesting Christmas tree identification quiz can be found at Merry-Christmas.com where it is Christmas all year round. You will get into the holiday spirit as you explore all aspects of celebrating Christmas in the United States.

Fraser Fir Christmas Tree Farm - North Carolina - Photo by Steve Nix

Christmas Tree Quiz - Find Out How Much You Know originally appeared on About.com Forestry on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 01:02:51.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Shop Early for a Cut Christmas Tree!

2009-11-06T13:06:10Z

The weekend after Thanksgiving is traditionally when most Christmas tree buying occurs but you should really consider shopping for and buy a Christmas tree a bit earlier. Early shopping will pay off with less competition for higher quality Christmas tree selections and ultimately result in a fresher holiday tree through the season.

You should consider mid-November a time to plan and follow through on your Christmas tree purchase. Many Christmas trees are already cut by mid-November but are not purchased until after Thanksgiving. You are just as well off to buy the tree early and prepare it for optimum freshness over the rest of the season. You should not consider yourself getting a fresher tree by purchasing later.

Potted Christmas Tree - Getty Images

Shop Early for a Cut Christmas Tree! originally appeared on About.com Forestry on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 13:06:10.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Protecting Elderly Forest Owners from Financial Abuse

2009-11-04T11:36:11Z

Children, grand-children and relatives are abusing their pensioner family members at alarming rates according to state departments of pension and security. These tough economic times provide incentives to tap alternate and easy sources of revenue, including timberland and farm property. Relatives can start by borrowing Uncle Ernie's gas money and end up spending his entire savings and selling his timber.

Here is a discussion on what things concerned friends and associates can do to protect an elderly family member or friend. From that discussion, I have developed this short list of things to do to avoid the loss of forest and timberland assets:

Find a dependable professional "trustee" (forester or consultant) to accompany owner to the property on a regular basis.
Give "power of attorney" only to someone who can manage his own money well and is trustworthy. Consider appointing two.
Develop a friendly relationship with the surrounding neighbors and keep in touch.
Join a woodland owner's association, study their publications, attend short courses and stay involved.
Ask your state forestry representative or state extension agent to visit the forest land with you on an annual basis. That's their job.

Protecting Elderly Forest Owners from Financial Abuse originally appeared on About.com Forestry on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 11:36:11.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Vote for the Most Popular Christmas Tree

2009-11-02T03:55:36Z

Voters have determined their top Christmas tree pick for this Christmas season. Forestry at About.com provides that vote for most preferred Christmas tree species commonly available for purchase in the United States. The current winner is Fraser fir (see photo of North Carolina Fraser fir Christmas tree farm at top) but you can change or support this by casting your vote. In second place comes Doug fir, followed by balsam fir and Colorado blue spruce.

Top Ten Christmas Trees Sold in North America

Also, here are links to more Christmas tree information - Growing and Buying Christmas Trees

Fraser Fir Christmas Tree Farm in North Carolina - Photo by Steve Nix, Licensed to About.com

Vote for the Most Popular Christmas Tree originally appeared on About.com Forestry on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 03:55:36.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

How to Manage and Identify Chinkapin

2009-10-31T01:08:00Z

The Allegheny chinkapin, also called common chinkapin, may well be our most ignored and undervalued, native North American nut tree. It has been widely hailed as a sweet and edible nut and adds value to it's chestnut cousin and the American chestnut's breeding programs.

I found a chinquapin (variation on the name) on my favorite deer hunting property and know it attracts wildlife. Since the chinkapin is adapted to a wide range of soils and site conditions, it should be considered a preferred species for its wildlife value. The nuts are eaten by a number of small mammals such as squirrels, rabbits, deermice, and chipmunks. Humans are fast becoming major consumers.

An American Chestnut Comeback - What Happened?

Chinkapin Nuts in Bur - Photo by Steve Nix, Licensed to About.com

How to Manage and Identify Chinkapin originally appeared on About.com Forestry on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 01:08:00.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

The Greatest Good Video, 100 Years of Forestry

2009-10-30T09:55:38Z

The Greatest Good is an online free video podcast, also offered in high quality DVD, with a companion book that documents a photographic history of forestry in the United States. The series, provided online by the Southern Regional Extension service, celebrates the first centennial year of the Society of American Foresters. The title is taken from "the greatest good", is a quote from first national forester Gifford Pinchot describing his management philosophy of the Nation's newly acquired National Forests.