on Jul 22 in Misc Trees tagged Bees, Flowering Trees, Fruit Trees
by Robert Smith with no comments
Q: What trees attract honeybees?
This is a good question, especially in light of the struggle our industrious little friends are having just to exist in our ever-urbanizing world.

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on Jul 15 in Tree Care tagged Drought Tolerant Trees, Tree Care, Watering
by Robert Smith with no comments
Q: I’ve planted some drought-tolerant species that later died during the hot summer months.
If they are listed as drought-tolerant, shouldn’t this be a guarantee against mortality in the dry period?
Trees listed as drought-tolerant are those that have genetically adapted to sites in their native habitat that regularly experience prolonged dry spells. However, all newly-planted trees can use some help from us.
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on Jul 07 in Landscape Design, Tree Pruning tagged Birch, Deer Resistant Trees, Do It Yourself (DIY), Fall Color
by James R. Fazio with no comments
Paper Birch and River Birch are some of the most popular landscape trees. These deer resistant trees have gained popularity due their unique bark and great yellow fall color. You may notice that some yards have a single tree birch tree while others have clumps or multiple birch trees. If you enjoy the multi stem look here is how you can do it yourself.
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on Jun 30 in Landscape Design tagged Buffers, National Argroforestry Center, Water Quality
by Gary Bentrup with 3 comments
The USDA National Agroforestry Center’s publication, Conservation Buffers: Design Guidelines for Buffers, Corridors, and Greenways offers over 80 illustrated guidelines for designing conservation buffers.
Conservation buffers are strips of vegetation placed in the landscape to provide a variety of ecological, economic, and social benefits to society. They are called by many names, including wildlife corridors, greenways, windbreaks, and filter strips to name just a few.
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on Jun 23 in Landscape Design tagged Arbor Day Farm, Fruit Trees, Landscape Design
by Eric Olson with 4 comments
As the Apple Orchard Manager at Arbor Day Farm, I often get questions about how to create a fruit orchard in a home or landscape setting. There are several items that you should consider to make sure you find a tree that is right for you.

Determine the Right Fruit Tree for your landscape
Step 1: When choosing a fruit tree in your yard or home, the first consideration is the growing zone in which you live.
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on Jun 17 in Landscape Design tagged Dwarf Trees, Small Yard Design
by David Beaulieu with no comments
“What’s up with dwarf trees? Who would want a tree that’s essentially a runt? I’d somehow feel gypped if I bought a tree that stayed short instead of growing up tall like all the normal trees.” I can easily imagine such lines appearing in a Jerry Seinfeld act. Or to put it more succinctly, in honor of a comedian from an earlier era: “Small trees get no respect.” But dwarf trees can be a valuable addition to many landscapes and landscape design projects.
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on Jun 09 in Landscape Design tagged Birch, Fast Growing Trees, Hybrid Poplar, Weeping Willow
by Ben with 10 comments
Some of the most popular trees around today are fast growing trees. Fast growing trees give homeowners the opportunity to realize the benefits of a mature tree sooner. Individuals seem to especially focus on using fast growing shade trees and fast growing hedges in their landscape to reap the benefits of these value added landscape design practices sooner. Today, I want to focus on ten of the fastest fast growing trees available on arborday.org. Once these trees are properly planted and established these trees will grow several feet per year.
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on Jun 03 in Tree Care tagged American Arborvitae, Arborvitae Care, Fast Growing Trees, Thuja, Tree Care
by James R. Fazio with 15 comments
Arborvitae is truly the “tree of life.” To the early Indians, and the first French explorers with whom they shared their knowledge of natural
medicines, arborvitae meant vitamin C and a cure for scurvy. To the new home owner today, it is a quick hedge and a foundation planting to soften the corners of houses.
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on May 27 in Tree Care tagged Deer Resistant Trees, Japanese Red Maple, Red Maple, Tree Care, Wildlife
by Ben with 8 comments
Deer often cause damage to trees, shrubs, and other landscape plants causing avid gardeners and tree planters to spend money on deer repellents. No tree or shrub is completely deer proof, but some are more deer resistant than others. The ratings below are based upon research from Rutgers University Experiment Station in conjunction with nursery and landscape professionals and master gardeners. Hopefully this new research will help eliminate the need to purchase deer repellent or deer fences.
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on May 20 in Landscape Design tagged Do It Yourself (DIY), Landscape Design, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7
by JOEL T. PARKER JR. ASLA RLA LEED AP with 7 comments
The Arbor Day Foundation approached me about designing several plant combinations that their members and fans could use for plantings of aesthetic interest and which provide function in the landscape. During the next few months, I will be sharing information behind these plant combinations and how they can be used as “do it yourself landscape designs.” All of the plant combinations are available online now.
Hedgerow Bird Shelter aka the Bird Magnet
When designing the Hedgerow Bird Shelter plant combination two basic goals were desired. 1) To design a planting which would be attractive to birds by way of food and shelter, and 2) provide visual interest for all seasons.
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