City Forest and Trees
Baltimore City Forest Conservancy District Board	

Vol. 12, No. 1                                                      Baltimore	
Maryland                                                             Spring 2003	

The Baltimore City Forestry Conservancy District Board’s primary focus is to educate the general public of the needs and value of the urban forest. As the U.S. becomes more urban and suburbanized, there is a new focus on forests and trees within our residential and urban areas. We seek to educate the public about trees, and maintain and plant trees within the confines of our cities. Both adults and children benefit from our focus as to the importance of trees. We restore and plant trees along streets and in neighborhoods, organize school plantings, and send high school students to summer forestry workshops‑free. We sell plants during spring fairs and answer topical questions. The Forestry Board also addresses the damaging effects of petro‑chemical runoff and the health of the Chesapeake Bay. We're here when you need us, and we're looking for new members, so please call.
Richard Edson

THE EASTERN WHITE PINE
Adelaide Rackemann

Pinus strobus, or Eastern White Pine, is considered one of the most important trees in the world ‑‑for its lumber. But it is also a delight for the homeowner‑gardener. As an ornamental or as a background for other evergreen trees and shrubs, white pine is a standout. While there are many other varieties of pine, white pine is easily identified by its blue‑white needles, five of them in a sheath, two to five inches long.

The tree can grow to 150 feet, is fairly fast growing, and may last many years. If it is planted in a small garden, it will need pruning. Otherwise, it needs no special care. Older trees do become brittle and may lose branches in a heavy wind or an ice storm. Usually, there is still plenty of tree left to carry on as an important feature in one's yard. Easy to transplant, the white pine thrives in poor, dry and sandy soils ‑‑unlike most evergreens. Its graceful 

appearance is enhanced by long tapering cones, sometimes six inches long. The bark has broad longitudinal ridges. " 

Hardy to Zone 3, this native of eastern North America is probably the most widely planted of our pines. Its growth averages 15 to 18 inches a year and it does best in a sunny location. In shade, it is apt to become straggly and thin. The white pine is interesting historically. In colonial times, after1691, a fine was imposed on anyone cutting white pine for mast timbers (except on one's own land). Mast timber was reserved for the crown. Later, in 1719, the king's surveyors marked these tall, straight trees with an "R" for royal, or sometimes with a broad. arrow. Later, in the mid nineteenth century, rafts of great mast timbers of white pine were used on the Susquehanna River, safely going through rapids where water dropped sharply. There are some problems with white pines, especially older ones. The pine weevil can inflict damage, as can white pine blister rust. White pine blister rust, a fungus, can be prevented by keeping currant and gooseberry bushes well away from the  trees.	

DROUGHT TOLERANT PLANTS
Chris Stuhlinger

Even though the Baltimore area has experienced quite a bit of rain and snow this winter, the effects of the drought that has lingered for the past several years can not be disregarded. We do not know if adequate rains will continue this spring and summer, but we can take some steps to conserve water in our yard by planting trees and shrubs that are somewhat tolerant of drought. Drought tolerant plants tend to require less water than other plants. But keep in mind that all plants need water to live, and even drought tolerant plants require supplemental watering during long dry periods. Watering during initial establishment is necessary for all plants. 

Besides just planting trees and shrubs that tolerate drought, additional steps can be taken to conserve water in your yard. If you must water, water during the morning hours. Deep, infrequent watering encourages deeper root growth than frequent, shallow watering. Use mulch to moderate the ground temperature and reduce moisture loss from the soil. The mulch layer should be 2 to 4 inches deep.

Many common, native trees and shrubs can withstand drought for periods of time, and an added advantage is that some of these plants can adapt to a wide range of growing conditions. Selected drought tolerant trees and shrubs are listed below. Many of these should be available from local nurseries. Check with your nurseryman for additional suggestions.

Native trees
River birch 		Betula nigra
Redbud 		Cercis canadensis
Red maple 		Acer rubrum
Green ash 		Fraxinus pennsylvanica
Black gum 		Nyssa sylvatica
Red oak 		Quercus rubra
American holly 	Ilex opaca
Eastern red cedar 	Juniperus virginiana
Sweetgum 		Liquidambar styraciflua
Crabapple 		Malus sp.

Native shrubs
Red chokeberry 	Aronia arbutifolia
Northern bayberry 	Myrica pensylvanica
Arrowwood viburnum-Viburnum dentatum
Sweet pepperbush 	Clethra alnifolia

Non‑Native Trees
Amur maple  		Acer ginnala
Crapemyrtle 		Lagerstroemia indica
Japanese tree lilac 	Syringia reticulata
Ginkgo 		Ginkgo biloba
Zelkova 		Zelkova serrata
Goldenraintree		Koelreuteria paniculata

THE NOTABLE TREE TOUR
Elspeth Wheeler

The Notable Tree Tour, sponsored by the Baltimore City Forest Conservancy District Board, is held at least once a year. Since 1993, the tour has been in the spring or fall. It highlights many magnificent Champion, Historic and unusual trees unique to Baltimore. Views of urban forests, neighborhoods improved by green areas, and exposure to many tree plantings throughout the city are included on the tour.

An optional self‑guided tour of Cylburn Arboretum concludes the tour. All trees viewed on the tour are recorded in the Baltimore Notable Tree Register, available through the Forestry Board. Many of the trees will be featured on a calendar soon to be for sale through the Board. This always lively tour is led by the knowledgeable Marion Bedingfield of the Forestry Division of the Department of Recreation and Parks~ assisted by Chris Stuhlinger of the Forest Service of the Maryland DNR. If you have not had the pleasure of this tour, put it on your must‑do list. It will give you a new and refreshing look at Baltimore's tree treasures. For information on the next tour, which will be held October 24, 2003, call Chris Stuhlinger at: 410‑ 665‑ 5820.

CATCHING RAINDROPS
Amanda Cunningham
Community Forestry, Program Manager

Let's consider rainwater. How does it travel along or through your property? Does it cascade down your roof like a mini waterfall into roof gutters where it is channeled perfectly into down spouts that empty out onto the bare ground, sidewalk, or driveway? Or perhaps leaves and debris lying in the gutters or clogging the down spout elbows slow the roof stream to the point where it gushes over the roof edge creating a persistent watery curtain and a mess below?

As my friend, Gary Letteron, Tree Man of Pigtown, mused one time, "wouldn't it be marvelous if citizens caught rainwater in barrels and slowly released it back into the ground?" While a decentralized storm management system may be a bit visionary for Baltimore, it appeals to us urban environmentalists for its radical twist. 

Just consider the amount of water you could store after a rain if you lopped off your down spout and stuck a rain barrel under it. One inch of rain falling on 1,000 square feet of roof adds up to 623 gallons of water! Connect the rain barrel to a hose and gravity feed a young tree in your yard or attach a soaker hose and lay it in your garden beds.

Water holding devices are legal in Maryland as long as water stored in them is not used for drinking. Cisterns, often made of concrete, store large amounts of water but can be expensive and time consuming to install. A simpler alternative is a rain barrel that you can construct yourself with a large plastic drum or even a garbage can. By connecting several barrels with apiece of PVC pipe, you can expand your rain water collection system so as rain fills the one under the down spout, the excess water flows into the next barrel. A spigot attached low on each barrel and an overflow drain on the last barrel in line directs any extra water to a safe location away from the foundation of your house. Remember to store rain water using a tight‑fitting, light blocking lid to keep children and animals out of the water and to help stop the development of algae and mosquitoes.

Michael Sherlock of the Mt. Washington Arboretum recommends installing an aquarium pump in your rain barrel to keep the stored water from getting stagnant. Concerns about consecutive years of drought and its effect on ground water recharge highlight the need for rain collection systems that allow for the gradual percolation of water into the soil. On a small scale, the creative homeowner can set up a system that benefits at least two components of our urban ecosystem: the plants and the water.  Parks & People Foundation has a limited number of 55‑gallon plastic drums available for a $5 donation per barrel. Please contact us if you would like to obtain one for your garden. 

Coming Events
April 5, Saturday‑ 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
Shape Up the Parks
to volunteer, call: 410‑ 396‑ 0180
http://www.cylburnassociation.org/events.htm

April 9, Wednesday ‑10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Arbor Day at Cylburn Arboretum
4915 Greenspring Avenue
http://www.cylburnassociation.org/events.htm

April 26, Saturday ‑8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Herring Run Festival, Spring Migration
Herring Run Park, Harford Road and
Argonne Drive. Call: 410‑ 254‑ 1577
http://www.herringrun.org

May 10, Saturday‑ 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cylburn Market Day
4915 Greenspring Avenue
call for information: 410 ‑367‑ 2217
http://www.cylburnassociation.org/events.htm

May 14, Wednesday ‑11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Flower Mart at Mount Vernon Square
concert 6 ‑8 p.m, Rain date: May 15
http://www.flowermart.org

May 24, Saturday‑ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Herb Festival at Leakin Park
Windsor Mill and Forest Park Aves.
$5 admission charge

emphasis this year on Basil
web site: http://www.baltimoreherbfestival.com

SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY
Richard Edson
The new approach to forestry reverses the 'hands off' approach with more focus on conservation rather than simply preservation.  Common forest lands will be maintained but in a more pro-active management style which include, select cutting, wildlife studies, and recreation. No longer the museum approach, which left forests, underutilized, over restricted, and open to wildfire and wildlife overpopulation.  Hopefully this will set the stage for healthier forests where private landowners can benefit from income and less taxation.  Currently, Maryland is fortunate to retain 40% or more of its forests, and with new initiatives we hope to grow more forests-not houses.  One needs to frown upon and restrict subdivisions forcing real estate firms to come up with a less dense and intrusive housing.  Also, the Department of Transportation should dispense and begin to fund large aprons of land and tracks along highways to prevent sectioning off existing pockets of forests.  A new attitude is needed not just with sustainable forestry but maintaining the quality of life with which we Marylanders are blessed.    

The Baltimore City Forest Conservancy District Board is an advocacy panel to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources‑Forest Service.
Board: 
Richard Edson, Chairman
Russ Moss, Vice Chairman
Tom Green, Treasurer
Meredith P. Millspaugh
Adelaide Rackemann
Elsa Lankford
Associate members:
Gary Letteron
Ann Lundy
Ken Williams
Robert Black
Elspeth Wheeler
Technical Advisors:
Chris Stuhlinger, Secretary
Md. DNR  Forest Service
Marion Bedingfield, Forestry Division
Department of Recreation and Parks
Pam Kelly, Executive Director, 
State Association MD DNR-Forest Service
Joe Burch, Forestry Division
Department of Recreation and Parks
Amanda Cunningham, Community Forestry
Parks & People Foundation
Jeffery Barrett - Baltimore City Public School Grounds
Gerard Moudry - Member Emeritus
For more board information, contact Richard Edson: phone 410  867 1171 or Chris Stuhlinger 410 665 5991
email: loopgaroo@email.msn.com

The Baltimore City Forestry Board web page is located at: http://www.baltocfb.sailorsite.net/BCFB.html