by Connie Oswald Stofko
Arbor Day is April 30, and it’s a time to think about trees.
Do trees communicate?
It appears that trees communicate and cooperate with one another.
This fascinating article by The New York Times describes how mycorrhizas–networks of fungi in the soil–can pass carbon, water, nutrients, alarm signals and hormones from tree to tree.
Use trees to save energy
Trees that are situated in the proper location can shade your house in summer. In winter, trees can provide windbreaks to keep your house warmer.
Get lots of great information in this page from the Department of Energy.
Tree events
- Ask an Arborist, a live question-and-answer session, will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 27 by the New York State Urban and Community Forestry program and NY-ISA (International Society of Arboriculture). This event is free but registration is required in advance. How can you take the best care of your trees? What’s the right way to prune a limb? How do you know when to call a professional? And what is an arborist anyway? Get answers from certified arborists to answer these questions and more.
- Arbor Day tree tours will be held on Friday, April 30 by Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo. Tours will be held at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Celebrate Arbor Day by visiting some of the trees in the outdoor collections while learning the basics of tree identification. Wear comfortable shoes/boots you do not mind getting muddy. The walk takes place rain or shine. Reservations must be made ahead of time online. Each time slot is limited to 10 participants.
- Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve will hold a Name that Tree Walk at 7 p.m. Friday, April 30 at Reinstein, 93 Honorine Dr., Depew. What better way to celebrate Arbor Day than by taking a hike in the woods and identifying common trees? Join the group to discover the tricks to tree identification and to learn fun tree facts along the way. Pre-registration is required; call 716-683-5959.
Hi Lyn, yes, that is a great book. It’s a fascinating topic!
Am excellent book on this topic is The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben is excellent and easy to read. You will never look at trees the same way again.