Rhode Island Feeds

An important message from the USDA

An important message from The Rhode Island Tree Council

USDA Volunteer Forest Pest Survey

America’s trees are under attack. Help us track down the killer beetles.

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) beetle and Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) have destroyed millions of trees throughout the United States. The USDA and The Rhode Island Tree Council are partnering to ask members of The Rhode Island Tree Council to participate in the Volunteer EAB/ALB Forest Pest Survey. We need your help to determine if these damaging forest pests are in your community.

 

Planting Water, Water, Water

Should you decide to plant, make sure the root balls, either containerized or balled and burlaped of the new specimens are well watered before they are installed. Here's a simple tip. Place the plants in a water filled pool or large bucket and let soak for about 4 hours, remove the plants from the pool and let stand long enough until the excess water drains away, after which time they can be planted. Following installation, immediately mulch the plants then, water until run-off. For the first week, water daily applying 15 gallons of water each time, three- 5 gallon buckets. Starting in week 2 and lasting until November 1st, apply the same amount but reduce the frequency of watering to three times per week. The rule is to NEVER allow installed plants to go longer than 5 days without water during the first year.

Endless array of colorful blooms

We are certainly blessed with the large number of flowering trees that are able to thrive in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. This very special situation, aided by geography and moderating weather patterns, has made it possible for us to experience an almost endless array of colorful blooms from late-February to mid-October. That's a remarkable stretch of time that amazingly covers all four seasons of the year.

Are You Prepared? [Register] Storm related tree damage can cripple an unprepared community. Envision this scenario in the storm's aftermath: Toppled trees and downed electric power lines; thousands of hazardous trees needing immediate attention; tree debris strewn everywhere, blocking fire and emergency access and making local roads virtually impassable. This is a very dangerous and chaotic picture, but this is only half of the problem. The other half involves storm damage mitigation described simply as returning the community to its pre-storm condition.

Are You Prepared? Storm related tree damage can cripple an unprepared community. Envision this scenario in the storm's aftermath: Toppled trees and downed electric power lines; thousands of hazardous trees needing immediate attention; tree debris strewn everywhere, blocking fire and emergency access and making local roads virtually impassable. This is a very dangerous and chaotic picture, but this is only half of the problem. The other half involves storm damage mitigation described simply as returning the community to its pre-storm condition.

Food & Wine Tasting, Silent Auction & Raffle Join us for One Night to Remember in November.
Stroll through the beautiful Roger Williams Park Botanical Center, the largest display of indoor gardens featuring flowers and plants from all over the world, while sampling an array of fine food from well known restaurants and a selection of wines, micro brews and festive beverages to please your pallet. This fundraising event will include a silent auction and raffle with great prizes, sure to make the evening one night to remember in November.
Tickets are available here or by calling 401 764-5885.

Late winter early spring is a good time to prune trees and shrubs. The major reasons for pruning are to improve plant structure and safety, or to control size. Other objectives can be to repair storm damage and to provide clearance from objects and traffic. Remember, good pruning includes eliminating objectionable growth. This means ridding plants of dead, dying or diseased branches, crossing or rubbing branches, waterspouts from limbs, and co-dominant or forking stems.

Late winter early spring is a good time to prune trees and shrubs. The major reasons for pruning are to improve plant structure and safety, or to control size. Other objectives can be to repair storm damage and to provide clearance from objects and traffic. Remember, good pruning includes eliminating objectionable growth. This means ridding plants of dead, dying or diseased branches, crossing or rubbing branches, waterspouts from limbs, and co-dominant or forking stems.