2024 Rhode Island Arbor Day- Come Join Us In Honoring Trees!
Rhode Island Arbor Day will be celebrated on Friday, April 26, 2024, at the Joseph Ventetuolo Recreational Complex, Brayton Avenue, Cranston, RI (aka: Brayton Avenue Park). The celebration will start at 11AM with welcoming remarks by Cranston’s Mayor Ken Hopkins and The Honorable Jack Reed, United States Senator. The official Rhode Island Arbor Day Proclamation will be read by the Honorable Dan McKee, Governor of Rhode Island.
Other activities will follow. They include poem readings, tree plantings, and an awards ceremony. The poems will highlight the benefits of trees and will be performed by students from Oakland Elementary School. Also, thirteen Rhode Island municipalities and two colleges will be honored by the National Arbor Day Foundation for their commitment to urban forestry. Presenting the awards will be by Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Director, Terry Gray. Capping the day’s event, will be the traditional Tree Planting Ceremony. A total of seven saplings-sugar maple, red maple, and Western arborvitae- will be planted to beautify the park.
Arbor Day is the ‘tree holiday’ celebrated in the United States to recognize the importance of trees. Rhode Island has a long and proud tradition of commemorating Arbor Day dating back to 1887. This year’s event will mark the 137th Anniversary of Rhode Island Arbor Day. The event is free, and the public is invited to attend.
The Rhode Island Tree Council has had a leading role in organizing the Rhode Island Arbor Day Program since 1998. The Tree Council has had the help of several key partners without which this annual endeavor would not have been possible. We appreciate and acknowledge their generous support. They are the United States Forest Service, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and the Rhode Island Energy Company (formerly National Grid Co).
Address for directions: Brayton Park, 18 Brayton Ave, Cranston, RI 02920
CONTACT: Robin Enos, Volunteer Coordinator, RI Tree Council e-mail: ritree@ritree.org, Telephone: 401-764-5885
The Rhode Island Tree Council (RITree)recently held its annual business meeting at the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM), Fruit Hill Avenue, North Providence, RI to elect its board of directors for 2024. The 19 member-board will serve a one-year term expiring on August 31, 2024.
After the business meeting, members and guests heard featured speaker and veteran arborist Christopher Fletcher, Bartlett Tree Experts, who spoke on the threat to RI Trees from beech leaf disease (BLM), and then they toured the FMM grounds.
Officers for the Board of Directors for 2024 are:
Doris Alberg, Chairperson
Thomas Dupree, Vice Chairperson
Candace Powning, Secretary
Matthew Sweet, Treasurer
Newly elected board members are John Bandoni, Sara Bradford, Douglas Dalton, Wendy Davis, Louis DiToro, Paul Dolan, Michael Emma, Mark Johnson, David Nickerson, Steven Pilz, Candace Powning, Andy Sabo, Kate Sayles, Catherine Sparks, Doug Still, Matthew Sweet, and Andrew Yates.
John Campanini remains as technical director of the Rhode Island Tree Council (RI Tree). A University of Rhode Island graduate, he was City Forester for Providence for over twenty years before retiring.
Beech Leaf Disease is Deadly
Beech leaf disease (BLM), said Fletcher, is ravaging our forests. Fletcher, a certified arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture, has more than 25 years of experience in tree care. First detected in Ohio in 2012, this deadly disease interferes with chlorophyll production and starves beech trees to death.
BLM is invisible. So, the only way to spot this deadly disease, says Fletcher, is to cut the leaves open and then wet the area. Thousands of nematodes (worms) exit the leaf. They winter over in the beech’s long, cigar-shaped buds and attack leaves as they emerge in the spring, interrupting the leaves’ ability to photosynthesize and produce food.
No known cure for this disease exists, says Fletcher. But research projects are underway to combat it. One problem confronting research scientists in this area is the lack of funds that could help tackle the issue.
The beech tree is a “foundational species” in New England forests. It produces a high-fat nut for black bears and other animals to eat, a place where woodpeckers can forage, and homes for animals to nest and raise their young. A beech tree can live up to 400 years.
About RITree
The Rhode Island Tree Council is a tax-exempt, non-profit group dedicated to improving the state’s tree resources and educating the public on the benefits of trees. Composed of members, consultants, and volunteers, RITree administers its programs through its Board of Directors, Advisors, and Trustees.
The group’s mission is to create healthy urban and community forests that underpin the state’s verdant ecological tapestry, support its vibrant economy, and enrich its residents’ lives. Membership is open to all.
For more information about RITree or any of its programs, contact Robin Enos, Rhode Island Tree Council at (401) 764-5885, email RITree at RITree@RITree.org, or visit the Rhode Island Tree Council’s website at www.ritree.org.
PROVIDENCE, RI, April 17, 2023 — Rhode Island Tree Council (RI Tree) will hold this year’s Arbor Day celebration at Miantonomi Park, Hillside Avenue, Newport, RI, on Friday, April 28, starting at 10:30 am. The event will be hosted by the city of Newport, the Newport Tree Conservancy, and the Newport Tree and Open Space Commission. The event’s primary sponsor is the Rhode Island Energy Corporation, PPL. The event’s secondary sponsors are the Rhode Island Tree Council and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.
The Newport event marks Rhode Island’s 136th observance of Arbor Day, which recognizes the critical contributions of trees and forests to humanity. Governor Dan McKee will speak at the event and read the RI Arbor Day Proclamation. Children from nearby schools also will participate in the festivities. RI Tree will plant maple, elm, linden, and dogwood saplings as part of the celebration. COVID-19 restrictions will apply. RITC invites everyone to come and join in the day.
Rhode Island has had a long history with Arbor Day. According to the RI Department of Education records, the first event held in Rhode Island to honor trees occurred on April 29, 1886. Sponsored by the Barrington Rural Improvement Society, the ceremony took place on public land near the railroad station in West Barrington.
Assisted by Society members, school children planted an American elm and dedicated it to the memory of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Many more would follow. In 1892, the RI Department of Education initiated an Arbor Day Program for school children to be held in the spring of each year over the next five decades (ending 1939).
Take a second to picture a tree that you love – maybe it’s the big oak in your backyard, the street tree in front of your house, or the new ornamental tree that you just planted in your garden. You probably will do (a number of things²) several things to care for your tree – water it while it’s young or during a period of drought, mulch it in the springtime, or get it professionally pruned as it matures.
You might also do some things to mitigate harm to the above-ground portions of the tree, like ask a builder not to hit the trunk or branches during a home renovation project. However, we generally don’t consider the potentially harmful effects of our every-day behavior on the health of our beloved trees, and consequently, fail to implement a few simple, but high-impact solutions.
Interacting with Our Trees
Let’s take those three hypothetical trees mentioned above. Maybe you picnic around that big oak in your backyard or dash underneath the canopy when it starts to rain. Maybe you walk across the sidewalk tree well in which your street tree is planted, while being careful not to hit the trunk as you open your car door. Maybe you water your ornamental tree, and then walk about the garden pulling weeds and tending to other plants.
These are all wonderful ways to interact with the trees at home or in our communities but walking repeatedly across the soil that’s covering tree roots (particularly when the soil is wet) is not one of them³. This causes the soil to compact, squeezing out of it the water and oxygen essential for healthy plant growth.
Water is an obvious plant requirement, but oxygen is just as necessary below ground as it is above. Without soil oxygen, the tree’s vascular systems cannot properly function and roots are unable to absorb water. There also are microbes and organisms underground that are beneficial to tree survival and need oxygen as well.
Spike Aeration Boosts Tree Health
Here at RI Tree Council, we (definitely) don’t want you to stop picnicking under your tree or wandering around your garden – and the good news is, you don’t have to! Here are some tips (and tricks) to perform soil aeration (the practice of loosening soil to create pathways between soil particles) so that you can keep your beloved trees healthy for years to come.
Spike aeration is the easiest way for home gardeners to aerate their soil on their own! Grab a spikey tool, like a hand cultivator, metal rake, or pitchfork and puncture the soil in a broad area all around your tree. This will allow it to become more porous so oxygen can access the roots and water can drain more readily through the soil. Be careful not to stab surface roots with your tool!
Aerate around your trees once or twice a year, in the spring and/or fall, and always follow-up with mulch (find a great video on how to properly mulch HERE). For mature trees that are starting to show their age, it might be best to aerate the soil, mulch a large area around the base, and then try your best to walk over the roots as little as possible. Mature trees tend to be even more vulnerable to soil compaction.
Lastly – be aware that a healthy-looking tree is not an indication that your soil is fine! The negative impacts of soil compaction might not become visible in the canopy for (a number of growing seasons) many years. Be proactive and build aeration into your annual tree care routine.
Want more tips about keeping your trees healthy, or planning for the installation of new woody plants? Check out RI Tree Council’s other articles on tree care HERE, or sign up for the next Tree Stewards course!
The second classroom lecture of the 2022 Tree Stewards Course took place on Tuesday evening, October 11 at the Mohr Library, Johnston, RI. Soil Management was the topic. Students learned about the important physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil. They were also instructed on how to take a proper soil sample, interpret soil test results, and implement test recommendations. Next week’s class will focus on tree and shrubbery pruning.
RITree’s Instructor Craig Hotchkiss explains Soil pH and its importance in maintaining healthy soils.
After a slow start, the fall foliage is finally turning colorful adding much splendor and beauty to the Rhode Island landscape. Trees leading the charge include the maples, birches, and dogwoods. Of this group, the Red maple is by far and away the star with its brilliant hues ranging from golden yellow to deep red-purple. Many shrubs are also getting into the act. So far the Winged euonymus, viburnums and sumacs are the showiest. Rainfall in late-September early-October helped to “activate” the pigments found in the leaves that are responsible for their recent color change. But the leafy delight won’t last long as the leaves are already beginning to fall. So enjoy nature’s wondrous beauty now before its too late. Do you have a fall foliage favorite plant? We’d like to see it. Send us a photo at ritree@ritree.org.
Sugar maple clothed in red leaf finery is among the ‘best of breed’ plants for fall color.
PROVIDENCE, RI – The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that the spotted lanternfly (SLF), an exotic pest that targets various plants and trees, has a detected population for the first time in Rhode Island. Native to Asia, SLF is most frequently associated with Tree of Heaven plants (Ailanthus altissima) and feeds on a wide range of agricultural crops such as grape, apple, and hops and several native species of plants and trees including maple, walnut, and willow.
Patches of SLF that were found along Route 7 in Smithfield indicate this is Rhode Island’s first find of a population of SLF. This was confirmed by US Department of Agriculture (USDA) last week. DEM is currently continuing to survey the area to get an idea of the extent of its spread. Additionally, DEM, USDA, and the University of Rhode Island (URI) are working on management options to minimize its spread. DEM’s Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment (DAFE) confirmed the sighting on Aug. 19 and is asking the public to report any suspected sightings at www.dem.ri.gov/reportspottedlanternfly. DEM will be conducting an extensive survey of the area based on USDA recommendations to determine if there is any further presence of the invasive insect and will be providing outreach materials to businesses in the area.
“In Rhode Island, we have about 69,000 acres of agricultural lands with many of those lands at risk of being infested with SLF including vineyards, orchards, berry crops, and nursery stock,” said Senior Environmental Planner Cynthia Kwolek . “It’s critical that we take the necessary steps to detect and stop the spread of this invasive pest, particularly since it has now been found in our state.”
DEM and URI conducted a statewide SLF survey in 2021 of local vineyards and areas with large populations of Tree of Heaven plants. Also in 2021, DEM and URI held a series of public workshops to help municipalities, the grower industry, and residents prepare for and respond to this pest, should it be detected in the state.
Along with spotted patterning, the adult SLF has scarlet underwings, yellow markings on the abdomen, and tan semi-transparent forewings. Adult lanternflies are about an inch long and are active from August until the first hard freeze, which typically occurs around late October into November.
Although SLF can fly distances on its own, it is an excellent hitchhiker and mainly spreads through human movement. Its inconspicuous egg masses can be laid on pallets, vehicles, and other goods, so it is important to inspect shipping materials and adhere to travel restrictions when moving through areas that are under quarantine for SLF. The following tips can help stop the spread of SLF:
o Inspect firewood, vehicles, outdoor furniture, and camping gear for egg masses, nymphs, and adults.
o If you visit states with SLF, check all your gear and equipment before leaving and scrape off any egg masses.
o Take a photo, squash the insect, and make a report to DEM’s agricultural pest alerts website.
SLF was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has quickly spread through surrounding states. An invasive plant-hopper that is currently infesting parts of the mid-Atlantic region of the United States, SLF has established populations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, and recently Michigan with finds of populations also in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. In Pennsylvania, where the pest has been spreading for over six years, there has been significant yield loss in vineyards and the insect has become a public nuisance.
To learn more about SLF, visit DEM’s Agricultural Pest Alerts website or the URI website. To report a potential finding, please visit: www.dem.ri.gov/reportspottedlanternfly.
For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.
Written by Robin Enos on . Posted in Uncategorized.
Rhode Island’s 135th Arbor Day was a great success! Thank you to our sponsors National Grid, and RI DEM. We planted 6 London planetrees, 2 Red maples, 2 Sugar maples and 2 Cherry trees at Wilson Park in North Kingstown.
Each workshop will feature a major theme (see workshop description below) while also providing a brief discussion on soils (soil pH & soil sampling), important pests (ALB, Lanternfly, etc.,) and the latest tools for use in plant health care. Workshop dates, locations and descriptions are presented below:
Training Woody Ornamentals begins when they are young. This workshop reviews tree growth and discusses pruning techniques. While general pruning principles are presented, approaches and methods specific to evergreen and deciduous plants are illustrated. The importance of strong structure on growth and performance are explained. Guiding healthy tree growth is an altruistic opportunity for everyone.
Transforming A Landscape just takes trees, time and attention. This workshop will review the transformation of a neglected urban landscape into a pleasant park setting. Tree species, planting locations and maintenance strategy will be explained. Attractive, joyful urban spaces are the embodiment of good design and the routine care and protection of natural resources. Join us for an insightful and inspirational stroll through these several parks to learn what makes them so special.
Elder Tree Care is probably the least understood and least practiced segment of tree management. These shortfalls are disturbing. They contribute each year to the removal of thousands of older trees that deserved a better fate. This workshop provides a basic primer on the characteristics of tree aging, older tree needs and meeting those needs. For this exercise we will examine 100+ year shade trees, evaluating their structure and health and for determining what measures can be taken to extend their longevity well into the future.
Identifying Trees is a fun process. Sleuthing your way to understanding, noticing details and applying interesting terms to them. Simply an intriguing brain exercise. Learn a simple way to use assorted plant parts (leaves, fruit, bark, cones and flowers) to identify common evergreen and deciduous trees. The goals are to have people more comfortable with the process, and aim at more astute observation for more specific revelation.
Growing Fruit Trees has many benefits including an annual harvest of fresh, nutritious locally grown fruit. New technologies have now made it possible to reap these benefits even in the confines of a small urban space. Modeled after RITree’s very own “Backyard Fruit Tree Growing Program”, this workshop will demonstrate the techniques and methods associated with the safe, reliable, and eco-friendly production of apple, peach, plum and pear. Come tour RITree’s Orchard in Johnston and see for yourself the possibilities!
This article is the second on evaluating the worth of a tree on your property. In the first article we discussed an informal way of judging a tree’s worth. Here we look at more formal ways of valuating a tree.
Trees offers numerous benefits to the community. No question about it. But they also have a dollar value all their own. So, if you lose a tree on your property, you can sometimes recapture its monetary loss through an insurance claim or by taking a deduction on your federal income tax. The IRS defines a casualty loss as “… a loss resulting from an identifiable event of sudden, unexpected, or unusual nature.” Events under this definition include storms, floods, lightning, vandalism, and air and soil pollution.
Before filing an insurance claim or taking a deduction, however, you need to determine the value of the tree. You can do that yourself, which can be a challenge. Or, you can contact a qualified arborist to help you appraise the tree. He or she can help you determine the tree’s value for insurance losses, tax deductions, estate assessments, and tort claims. The appraisal also is handy if questions arise about the value of a tree on your property.
What is an Appraisal?
An appraisal is an objective, unbiased estimate of trees (or any other type of plant) on your property. In that case, you may need to litigate the dispute in a court or by arbitration, which would be based on an unbiased and honest appraisal of the plant’s value by professionals. The best time to get an appraisal is before the tree is damaged or destroyed. But many appraisals occur after a tree is damaged, removed, or destroyed from a person’s property.
If you evaluate a tree after the loss, the appraiser must gather critical information about the tree. The information may include previous site records, tree assessments, site reviews, and witnesses to the tree’s condition. The appraiser may also conduct a comparative sampling on a local basis. A critical step in determining valuation is the tree’s depreciation factors, including the tree’s condition, functional limitations, and external limitations.
The tree’s condition refers to its overall health. Functional limitations include tree placement, site conditions, the proximity of power lines, and any genetic issues. External limitations include issues outside the owner’s control that can affect the tree’s structure, form, and sustainability, such as water availability, threats from pests, ordinances, and rights of way. Having determined the tree’s pre-damage condition, the appraiser then determines the evaluation for your tree.
Methods for Evaluating Trees
Three methods exist for evaluating trees—the Cost Approach, Income Approach, and Sales Comparison approach. You can find a good description of each method in Guide for Plant Appraisal, the 10th edition of which is now available. The publication is endorsed by significant arboriculture and horticultural groups. It’s a good resource for valuating trees.
The Cost Approach focuses on the plant, location, and species as depreciation factors. While the Income Approach uses the value of produce to assign value to a tree. The Sales Comparison Approach to valuing a tree considers the increase or decrease to your property by the plants’ presence. Each evaluation method has its pros and cons. The Tree Council can help you choose the correct method for you, given these pros and cons.
But evaluating a tree or trees on your property can be a challenge. It’s a complex undertaking, which is why it’s better left to a professional. Take the Cost approach, for example. Four methods exist for this approach—the Replacement Cost method, Trunk Formula method, Cost of Repair method, and Cost of Cure method. A popular technique within this Cost Approach Method is the Trunk Formula Technique (TFT), which uses the unit tree cost formula to determine value.
You can obtain the tree unit costs from local resources—either a consulting arborist or the Regional Plant Appraisal Committee (RPAC), which includes industry experts associated with the local chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. The RPAC determines unit costs for commonly available trees in your area, the tree’s obtainability, and their functional limitations in your area.
Hiring a Professional Makes Sense
Determining the value of a tree on your property is critical. To do it properly, however, requires training, expertise, and experience. So, evaluating the tree yourself may not be in your best interest. Ideally, you should hire a qualified professional to do the job. He or she will assign a value to your tree and then defend, explain, and support the results if there’s a dispute.
Buying a tree for your property shouldn’t be taken lightly. Trees provide numerous benefits to homeowners and communities, including functional, aesthetic, social, and environmental contributions. They also provide economic value to your home and property that you can express in dollars and sense. The value of a tree in economic terms, however, can be more than you think. So, make sure you consult a tree professional when buying a tree for your home or property. Doing so will pay off in the long run.
Are you confused about buying the right tree for your property? Then contact RI Tree at (401) 764-5885. We’ll help you choose a tree that makes sense for you and your property.
