Storm damage always provides some interesting photos. This photo is an amazing example of the strength and flexibility of wood and the typical “widow maker”. There is a considerable amount of tension and torc on the remainder of the tree, and it creates quite a dangerous situation. Many other types of trees would crack in […]
Deadwood is usually a natural process. Trees get injured or stressed and limbs become susceptible to pests or they rot. Lightning strikes cause parts of the tree to die too. Read below to find out when and why deadwood removal is appropriate. Reason #1 We remove deadwood to keep an area safe. Falling dead branches […]
The subject of pine cones, line everything else that I write about, is not as simple as it seems. Pine cones are the reproductive structures of conifer plants. Cedars, firs, cypresses, redwoods, and pine trees are all conifers or “cone bearing”. Pine cones come in all shapes and sizes, but their function is always the […]
Bramble Bushes Bramble bushes are any thorny, prickly, shrub type bush. The generic name includes ornamental bushes such as roses, unwanted undergrowth, blackberries, raspberries, and dewberries. Subfamily – Rosoideae Family – Rosaceae Kingdom – Plantae Order – Rosales Scientific name – Rubus Higher classification – Rose family
If you live in Northern Virginia, you know that last year (2018) was probably one of the wettest we have had in years. As a result, fungi proliferated in the forest. I became fascinated with fungi. During the week, I hike many of the same trails frequently after work, and each day, I’d see a […]
Spring is here and we couldn’t be happier! The forest is coming to life as any snow melts and the temperatures rise. If you know where to go, every year you can see a spectacular bloom of Virginia Bluebells. Or maybe you are out and by luck you find a patch of Virginia Bluebells. […]