June Member Meeting
Monday, June 18, 10:00 a.m. Open House at Linda and Peter Knapp's home in Troy. Enjoy woodland hikes, or water sports, or just relax wtih fellow tree stewards. Potluck lunch.
Catalpa
Catalpas are so gorgeous this year. There are a number of them in the yard on the north side of the exit off 250 onto Locust Ave. Here are a couple of Bill Emory’s photos.
Notice the large, heart-shaped leaves. Some years these are devoured by sphinx moth caterpillers (“catawba” worms). The caterpillars often completely defoliate the trees. Loss of foliage may be serious, especially for shade and ornamental trees and nursery stock.
While the catalpa worm is well known as a tree pest, it may be as well or better known to some for its attractiveness to fish. The caterpillars have long been valued for fish bait, and references to their collection by fishermen date back at least to the 1870′s when the species was first described.
Barracks Road project receives recognition
If you have ever driven into town on Barracks Road, and gotten caught in traffic between the bypass and Emmet Street, the chances are you will have glanced to your right and seen a steep bank, a wooded area and a sign for the Rivanna Trail.
Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards, under the leadership of Phil Stokes, have been working on this area for over three years. They have turned a trashy wood, over-run with bittersweet, privet, and other weeds, into a showcase of native plants.
Recently Diana Foster of the Rivanna Trails Foundation took this photo and blogged about the project at: http://www.rivannatrails.org/Default.aspx?pageId=929881&mode=PostView&bmi=904216
The next workday is scheduled for Thursday, May 10. Come anytime between 9 and noon. Bring gloves and tools. More information on the Events calendar for this date.
Arbor Day a great success!
Tree steward Bill Emory’s camera captures the spirit of the day. See more of his photos at: http://billemory.com/blog/2012/04/28/arbor-day-2/.
A large number of tree stewards, tree commissioners, county staff and public turned out to celebrate Arbor Day in Forest Hills park. After the speeches, and unveiling of the Tree Steward Landmark Tree plaque, about 50 students from Johnson Elementary School walked over to enjoy and to learn about trees.
Click on “Read More” to see more pictures taken by other tree stewards. Read more…
Arbor Day Celebration, Friday April 27
Next Friday morning, April 27, Charlottesville residents will be celebrating Arbor Day at Forest Hills Park, (map) just south of Cherry Avenue. This is a beautiful park with many old oaks everyone should see. In addition there are several new trees recently planted by Girl Scouts.
Officials from the state DOF and city will speak briefly, and CATS’ Fifeville Planting project members will speak on their progress.
Then the CATS’ Notable Tree Committee will place a Landmark Tree Sign on this magnificent white oak by the parking lot. City Arborist Tim Hughes and Parks staff have worked hard to save this fine tree from the recent construction of a kids’ spray park.
We expect 60 kindergarteners and first graders will be at the park on Friday morning, learning about trees. So come at 10:00 a.m., and join the celebration!
Barnraiser!
The barn at Ivy Creek Natural Area will re-open on Saturday, April 21. Opening ceremonies will begin at 2:00p.m.
In July 2010 the barn had to be closed to the public due to safety issues. The barn is one of the highlights of the school tour program – it is in the barn where the rich African American history celebrated by the Foundation comes to life for the children.
New exhibits inside the barn will include a beautiful panel display of spring trees that has been designed by Master Naturalist Tony Russell. Many individual tree stewards, as well as the CATS organization, have helped to underwrite this project.
