Gardener's Garden

Pick Up Sticks

Assessing Post-Sandy Tree and Shrub Damage

The Northern Virginia area escaped relatively unscathed through Hurricane Sandy’s onslaught. The forecasts of heavy winds, storm surge and flooding were lessened by Sandy’s eventual track, and we were spared the kind of damage that devastated our neighbors to the northeast. Some large trees did succumb to the sixty-mile-an-hour wind gusts and saturated ground, but most of the debris seems to consist of large tree limbs, small branches and leaves…lots of leaves. While we pick up and bag this debris from our yards, gardeners should assess whether any hidden damage was done to those trees and large shrubs left standing after the storm. Trees and shrubs adapt to the normal stresses of wind flow as they sway in reaction to this pressure; the …

Dyke Marsh and Beyond

Trees -- More than Woody Plants

Trees have social and economic value, experts say.

Arborists, botanists, naturalists and other tree lovers often tout the ecological services of trees. They clean the air, absorb carbon dioxide and stem stormwater runoff and erosion. Trees also have social value, the 40 attendees at a Sept. 13 Alexandria forum learned when several experts spoke to the Northern Virginia Urban Forestry roundtable titled “Benefits of Urban Trees: Economic and Social.” Katrina Krause from the U.S. Forest Service offered examples of trees promoting community engagement. “We are an instant gratification society,” she said, and caring for trees can be a long-term proposition so people are more motivated if they see a return from their involvement in trees. Putting plants like blueberries or herbs under and around…

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