Tuliptree flower.
Read about the renewal of spring, and the prospect of bringing an iconic species back to Appalachia. There's news about a tree planting grant program and about a record year for fighting invasives. Our "Native Trees of Maryland" looks at the tuliptree, and "Invasives in Your Woodlands" looks at the non-native sawtooth oak. And don't forget the events calendar and the Brain Tickler challenge.
With Spring Comes Renewal
Andrew A. Kling, Branching Out editor
What happens when the coming of spring coincides with networking opportunities? Renewal.
Citizen Science Project Brings Pure American Chestnuts Back To Appalachia
Jack Walker/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Read about a cooperative effort of the American Chestnut Foundation and Shepherd University's Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities to work on chestnut reforestation.
Native Trees of Maryland: The Tuliptree, Liriodendron tulipifera
John Hooven, UME Forest Stewardship Educator
The tuliptree, Liriodendron tulipifera, is also known as the tulip poplar or yellow-poplar. It's one of the tallest of Maryland's native trees, and one of the tallest of the deciduous trees in North America.
Native Tree Coupon Program Open for Calvert County Residents Through Nov. 20, 2024
The Calvert County Department of Planning & Zoning announces the reopening of its “Spread Your Leaves” tree coupon program to help residents expand forested areas in Calvert County by planting native trees on their property.
News and Notes
In the News and Notes roundup for this issue: Learn how pellet stove owners can assist the Alliance for Green Heat; how a group is working to re-grow native forests on old coal mines; and how it's important to choose the best place to plant a tree. Plus, news of an elusive woodland creature captured on a trail cam, and one final spring for Stumpy.
Montgomery County Parks Weed Warriors Program Has Record-Breaking Year
Shantelle Malcolm-Lym, Maryland Association of Counties
Montgomery Parks has announced a record-breaking year for its Montgomery Parks Weed Warrior Volunteer Program, galvanizing the county in the fight against non-native invasive plants.
Invasives in Your Woodland: Sawtooth Oak
Sawtooth oak is native to Asia and was introduced to the eastern U.S. in 1920. It has gained popularity over the last 50 years as a street tree because it tolerates poor and dry soils, establishes and grows quickly. However, sawtooth oaks have adapted to a wide area of the nation and now are escaping from plantings into natural areas, particularly in the eastern states, where they can outcompete native species.
This issue's Brain Tickler...
For this issue, identify the wildlife habitat management technique shown in this photo (by Gerald Hoy, Penn State).
Thanks for reading! We have a winner! Check back in our next issue!
Last issue we asked you to identify the important day that was celebrated in 2024 on April 26 in PA, DE, and VA; on April 12 in WV; and on April 3 in Maryland. The correct answer is Arbor Day. Congratulations to our winner, Natasha Shengold!
Events Calendar
June 8, 2024, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Healthy Forests Workday: Invasive Plant Removal at Bacon Ridge Natural Area
Crownsville, MD
Join Scenic Rivers Land Trust at Bacon Ridge Natural Area in Crownsville to remove invasive vines, shrubs, and grasses. These aggressive invaders threaten vegetation at all levels of the forest from the ground up into the forest canopy. Learn more here.
July 11, 2024, 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
Forest Management for Wildlife Symposium: Ruffed Grouse, American Woodcock, Young Forests, & More Cacapon Resort State Park, Berkeley Springs WV
This symposium will provide landowners and land managers insights about how to implement forest management practices that can benefit a diversity of wildlife, including ruffed grouse, American woodcock, rabbits, wild turkey, golden-winged warblers, pollinators, and more. Register for this free symposium here.
October 18-20, 2024
2024 Chesapeake Watershed Forum
Shepherdstown WV
The19th annual Chesapeake Watershed Forum at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in Shepherdstown, WV on October 18-20, 2024. This watershed-wide event reaches over 400 restoration and conservation practitioners annually to inspire and empower local action towards clean water. Registration Opens August 5. Learn more at https://www.allianceforthebay.org/event/chesapeake-watershed-forum/
Branching Out, Vol. 32, no. 2 (Spring 2024)
Branching Out is the free, quarterly newsletter of the Woodland Stewardship Education program. For more than 30 years, Branching Out has kept Maryland woodland owners and managers informed about ways to develop and enhance their natural areas, how to identify and control invasive plants and insects, and about news and regional online and in-person events.
