Coordinator’s Corner — May

May is in full bloom and summer is on the horizon. I’ve heard it said that in Washington there are two seasons; winter and construction, and construction means development. At this time of year, there is a scramble to get construction underway. Most cities have a planning process to lead developers through rules and regulations …

Timely Tree Tips — A Focus on Phenology

Here we are in Spring, when trees and other plants across the state are breaking buds, blooming, and unfurling young leaves. Simultaneously, insects are either hatching or rousing from their overwintered state to take advantage of the plants. In the case of pollinators, maybe the plants are breaking dormancy to take advantage of them? Either …

Wildland Fire Season is underway in WA

On Friday, May 10, it was 86 degrees in Olympia... quite warm for so early in the season. The hotter temps and reduced rainfall are accelerating the drying of trees, shrubs, grasses, and other vegetation throughout the state, priming them for risk of wildland fire ignition. As of May 10, there have been over 170 …

Coordinator’s Corner — April: Tips for Selecting the Right Tree This Arbor Day

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood! Welcome to “Arbor Month!” Gov. Jay Inslee officially proclaimed April 10, 2019 as Washington’s Arbor Day, but don’t let that stop you from celebrating the “Tree Planter’s Holiday” at any time. Communities can proclaim the holiday at any time of the year, and National Arbor Day is on …

Coordinator’s Corner — March

Most kids are in-tree-gued by the idea of climbing up into the limbs of trees. Climbing is not only a challenge, but the final destination is a whole new world; a different view, looking down from a green hiding place, peering through leaves and branches at the near-by or beyond. Birds, insects, fantastical lighting, a …

Timely Tree Tips — Pruning to Prevent & Recover from Storm Damage

Last month Washington state got walloped with snow and sustained extensive tree damage as a result. Branches, stems, and entire trees were pulled down to the ground under the weight of accumulated snow and ice. Many of our trees were not adapted to that degree of stress, especially west of the Cascades where snow is …

Coordinator’s Corner — February

Having lived most of my adult life and my entire childhood in ‘snow country,’ I’m always a little surprised when I see signs of spring at the turn of the year here in western Washington. Spring plants are already beginning to poke through mulch, and hellebores, heather, primrose, and snowdrops are blooming. The season is …