Volume #59/ The Rainforest Spring!

sumac, checking the photos at the birch tree site, saw where some of the leafs were missing at the top of the tree. Plus before the fall season began last year, the birch tree began losing leafs prematurely.

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/howtos/ht_birch/ht_birch.htm

There are two photos <4-5> See the droopyness of the tree in the second photo? The birch outside the house is droopy, but hasn't gotten to the stage where it cannot be saved yet <so the link says> There is no leaf damage either, so the insecticide application the best solution.

Do you scroll all the way down?

Controlling Bronze Birch Borer
Following Steps 1-3 in this leaflet are the best course of action for preventing birch borer problems: (1) do not plant a birch tree if the site is not suitable for birch, (2) select a birch species or variety that is less susceptible to birch borer, and (3) maintain tree health through cultural practices. If your tree becomes infested with birch borer, you should first evaluate the extent of the infestation (Figure 6). If the tree is in either class 2 or 3, follow the treatments listed below. In most cases, both treatments will be necessary for a tree to fully recover. If the tree is in class 4 or 5, it will be very difficult to save and should be removed.

You and your 283 friends have supported 1,841,111.3 square feet!


Marine Wetlands habitat supported: 38,716.1 square feet.
You have supported: (0.0)
Your 283 friends have supported: (38,716.1)
American Prairie habitat supported: 34,805.2 square feet.
You have supported: (9,855.3)
Your 283 friends have supported: (24,949.9)
Rainforest habitat supported: 1,767,590.0 square feet.
You have supported: (160,559.3)
Your 283 friends have supported: (1,607,030.7)

Today did not read Grist I skimmed Planet Ark I skipped most of my charity clicking--but I clicked for American Prairie.

Yesterday a large and angry wasp--was nearly immobilized by the accumulation of cobwebs on an inaccessible window. I've been cleaning all day!

ehBeth, thanks for posting stats each day!

sumac, there are no marks or discoloring on the leafs of the birch. The only evidence of disease is drooping and loss of foilage at the top of the tree. <Figure 5. A classic example of a tree infested with bronze birch borer> the photo featured at the link depicts a birch tree in severe decline. The next set of photos <figure 6> depict stages of decline. I'd say the birch tree a 3 - with little evidence of leaf loss.

Sooooooooooo, I doused the tree with insecticide, and the tree perked!
<be right back>

Ok, its been about an hour since the application, the tree continues to droop but not nearly as much as before the application. Also noticed small bugs flying everywhere when trimming the lawns, so applied more of the insecticide. If there isn't significant improvement <i'll give the insecticide a few days to penetrate the soil and bark of the birch> then i'll remove the tree. <sigh> Not looking forward to chopping down or dragging a 20 foot birch tree away from the property Oy!

On a more positive note, daughter and I had a wonderful day chatting, munching, and smiling. She and son.i.l celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary next month. Couldn't be a prouder mom if I tried...

Stradee - glad to hear you and family doing well; tks for invite to thread, unfortunately can't linger but wanted to post wonderful pic from SciAm >




> for those who hadn't seen it.

Helen, that is absolutely precious!

Helen, the babies are just too adorable!

Thanks so much for posting the photo.

Great photo. Those pups have racing stripes.

Allllllllll clicked.

g'd day all ~

Dan, they sure are cute.

Noddy, LOL Its a sure bet that when spring cleaning begins, lifeforms appear from their winter quaters. Will tackle the storage shed wearing gloves, eye guards hat, and weilding the swimming pool pole!

Isn't that just like a black lab? Hope the teeth don't do her in. Her expression isn't too keen.

Stradee,
Don't take the tree down yet. Water, water, and more water. Then wait.

sumac, today the birch perked - more! Hurray!

Watering just the tree, but not the surrounding areas because the ground won't hold much water due to heavy rains from just a few days ago.

The birch won't drown I hope! (?)

Plus, warm temps seem to be aiding the trees 'umph' The tree needs more water? then the tree shall have more water.

clicked n' clicked

You ladies talking about spring cleaning reminded me of that famous quote from Emily Dickinson. One fine morning the Belle of Amherst wrote in her diary: "We begin Spring cleaning today. I prefer pestillence."

In this, I join her.

Merry ~ LOL

A decidely less stenuous lethal alternative.

Merry Andrews--

One spring cleaning every five years does verge on unwholesome excess.

You and your 283 friends have supported 1,841,649.8 square feet!

Marine Wetlands habitat supported: 38,833.2 square feet.
You have supported: (0.0)
Your 283 friends have supported: (38,833.2)
American Prairie habitat supported: 34,828.6 square feet.
You have supported: (9,855.3)
Your 283 friends have supported: (24,973.3)
Rainforest habitat supported: 1,767,988.0 square feet.
You have supported: (160,606.2)
Your 283 friends have supported: (1,607,381.9)


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


cleaning / pestilence


not much to choose between the two of them, is there?

Oh, how right you are, Noddy.

Why is yard work so much more appealing than cleaning inside the house?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You and your 283 friends have supported 1,843,640.0 square feet!

Marine Wetlands habitat supported: 38,973.7 square feet.
You have supported: (0.0)
Your 283 friends have supported: (38,973.7)

American Prairie habitat supported: 34,828.6 square feet.
You have supported: (9,855.3)
Your 283 friends have supported: (24,973.3)

Rainforest habitat supported: 1,769,837.7 square feet.
You have supported: (160,629.6)
Your 283 friends have supported: (1,609,208.

Hi ehBeth, Could it be that it's less confining after a long cooped up period. (Would you believe - the old Phyc Trick?) ((My best Agent Smart improv..))

All clicked.........

Have a nice weekend all.

Re: spring cleaning. My dear Jacques used to say" Don't make a career of it."