After the holidays, don’t throw your Real Christmas Tree in the trash. Real Christmas Trees are biodegradable, which means they can be easily reused or recycled for mulch and other purposes. Here are some recycling options and tips on what to do with … [Read more...]
The Ghost Tree: Bringing Back the American Chestnut
Billions of American chestnut trees once shaped life in Appalachia, but a foreign fungus erased them in a matter of decades. Today, only sickly sprouts remain — ghosts of a vanished ecosystem. Sara Fern Fitzsimmons and The American Chestnut … [Read more...]
Hydrangea
Hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs that grow from 4-to 12-feet in height depending on the variety. Continued: SOURCE: … [Read more...]
WEED ALERT | Asiatic Bittersweet
Blue Ridge PRISM Recommendations Now is the time to identify and control this invasive vine since it is easy to spot during this time of year. Use our guide to identify Asiatic bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) in the landscape. Identify and … [Read more...]
Trees of Life – Witch Hazel
Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana (ham-ah-MAY-lis ver-jin-ee-AY-nah) Witch hazel is a deciduous shrub or small tree that may grow 15 to 20 feet tall. This easily overlooked native becomes noticeable when after its leaves turn an attractive yellow … [Read more...]
Trees of Life – Yellow Birch
Yellow Birch, Betula alleghaniensis - (BET-yoo-luh al-leh-gay-nee-EN-sis) Common Name(s): Golden Birch, Swamp Birch, Yellow Birch Have you ever noticed a tree with shiny golden bark on exposed … [Read more...]
Tree Identification
There are many reasons to learn the identity of the trees around us. The trees growing on a site can tell us a lot about the soil, climate, and other environmental conditions there. Certain trees make good lumber, paper, medicines, food, or other … [Read more...]
Fall Is the Time to Plant Trees & Shrubs
Fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs in your garden, however, it is important to properly plant them so they will be healthy for many years. Continued: … [Read more...]
Rose-of-Sharon, Shrub Althea (Hibiscus syriacus)
Rose-of-Sharon is a large shrub with showy, relatively large single or double flowers that bloom in summer. Flower colors include white, red, purple, violet, and blue. Continued: Source: … [Read more...]
Confederate Rose, Not a Rose at All
Confederate rose is a low-maintenance shrub. It grows in hardiness zones 7 – 11 and will be more tree-like in the warmer zones. Pruning, feeding and mulching are somewhat optional. Read on: Source: … [Read more...]