{"id":5867,"date":"2021-08-19T00:53:24","date_gmt":"2021-08-19T07:53:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jcmgf.org\/?p=5867"},"modified":"2021-08-19T00:59:57","modified_gmt":"2021-08-19T07:59:57","slug":"planting-a-tree-a-gift-to-the-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jcmgf.myparkpack.com\/mg2\/planting-a-tree-a-gift-to-the-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Planting a Tree: A Gift to the Future"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Barbara Faurot<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

It would be difficult to overstate the benefits of trees to our homes and communities. Aesthetic beauty, shade, wildlife habitat, wind protection, slope retention, and privacy screening are just the beginning. Trees filter the air we breathe by removing dust and other particulates. Leaves absorb carbon dioxide and transform it into biomass through photosynthesis, and give off oxygen. In fact, a single mature hardwood tree will sequester about 50 pounds of carbon per year \u2014 the amount emitted by the average American car.<\/p>\n

Port Townsend, named a Tree City USA for nearly 20 years by the Arbor Day Foundation, is home to some notable trees. Examples range from the graceful gnarled branches of the locust tree near the Bell Tower in Uptown Port Townsend to the huge old red oak across from the courthouse on Jefferson Street. Planted generations ago, they have absorbed countless tons of carbon \u2014 and we continue to enjoy their beauty, shade, and inspiration today.<\/p>\n

The City of Port Townsend recognizes trees of special significance through a landmark tree program. A landmark tree can be on a street, in a park, or on private property (with the permission of the owner). Because of the tree\u2019s contribution to the environment and city character, it may be protected throughout its useful life. More information about the program, including how to nominate a tree, can be found at https:\/\/www.codepublishing.com\/WA\/PortTownsend\/html\/PortTownsend12\/PortTownsend1224.html<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For the home gardener, planting a tree now helps continue the cycle. Sarah Fairbank, long-time Master Gardener and self-described \u201cplant nerd,\u201d cites an apt quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson: \u201cThe creation of a thousand forests is in an acorn.\u201d A tree planted today will benefit life in many forms, including mammals, birds, other plants, fungi and invertebrates.<\/p>\n

Sarah adds that fall is the best time to plant trees. Cooler temperatures and fall rains help establish roots in the still-warm soil, setting them up for strong growth next spring.<\/p>\n

If you are choosing a tree to plant this fall, \u201cright plant, right place\u201d is the key. Consider the plant\u2019s hardiness and space needs, as well as its preferences for sunlight, water, soil type, and drainage. WSU Extension\u2019s Home Garden Series FS047E \u201cPlanting Trees and Shrubs in the Landscape\u201d offers details on planting practices and potential problems.\u00a0 https:\/\/pubs.extension.wsu.edu\/planting-trees-and-shrubs-in-the-landscape-home-garden-series<\/a><\/p>\n

In late summer and early fall, existing trees respond to shorter days by beginning to store up reserves for the winter. As their food-making process slows, chlorophyll breaks down, and the red, orange, and yellow pigments become visible. Where the leaf stem is attached to the tree, a layer of cells forms and severs the tissues that support the leaf. The tree \u201cseals\u201d the cut, leaving behind a protective scar when the leaf falls. You can work fallen leaves into the soil, add them to compost, or leave them in place as mulch. They\u2019ll help suppress weeds, conserve soil moisture, and build organic matter.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For questions about trees, including fall tree planting and care, you can contact Sarah, who volunteers at the Master Gardener Plant Clinic, at ptmgplantclinic@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For inspiration throughout the season, Karen I. Shragg, author and retired naturalist at the Wood Lake Nature Center in Minnesota, has generously offered permission to share her poem.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Think Like a Tree<\/strong><\/p>\n

By Karen I. Shragg<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Soak up the sun<\/p>\n

Affirm life’s magic<\/p>\n

Be graceful in the wind<\/p>\n

Stand tall after a storm<\/p>\n

Feel refreshed after it rains<\/p>\n

Grow strong without notice<\/p>\n

Be prepared for each season<\/p>\n

Provide shelter to strangers<\/p>\n

Hang tough through a cold spell<\/p>\n

Emerge renewed at the first signs of spring<\/p>\n

Stay deeply rooted while reaching for the sky<\/p>\n

Be still long enough to hear your own leaves rustling.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(Barbara Faurot is a Jefferson County Master Gardener and Master Pruner, working with other volunteers who serve as community educators in gardening and environmental stewardship.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Published in the Port Townsend Leader September 9, 2020<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Barbara Faurot It would be difficult to overstate the benefits of trees to our homes and communities. Aesthetic beauty, shade, wildlife habitat, wind protection, slope retention, and privacy screening are just the beginning. Trees filter the air we breathe by removing dust and other particulates. Leaves absorb carbon dioxide and transform it into biomass […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":5871,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5867","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-home-page-post","classic-edited"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jcmgf.myparkpack.com\/mg2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5867","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jcmgf.myparkpack.com\/mg2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jcmgf.myparkpack.com\/mg2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jcmgf.myparkpack.com\/mg2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jcmgf.myparkpack.com\/mg2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5867"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/jcmgf.myparkpack.com\/mg2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5867\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5872,"href":"https:\/\/jcmgf.myparkpack.com\/mg2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5867\/revisions\/5872"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jcmgf.myparkpack.com\/mg2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5871"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jcmgf.myparkpack.com\/mg2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5867"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jcmgf.myparkpack.com\/mg2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5867"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jcmgf.myparkpack.com\/mg2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5867"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}