City Forest and Trees
Baltimore City Forest Conservancy District Board	
                                                            Baltimore, Maryland	  2008	

Davidia, A Unique Tree
by Adelaide C. Rackemann
The Davidia tree is the only species of its genus. D.involucrata, sometimes called, the Dove Tree or the Handkerchief Tree and sometimes the Chinese Ghost Tree, it is the ultimate exotic tree.

A native of western China, not often seen in our country, it is spectacular when seen in bloom. Given plenty of room, and an open situation, it becomes rounded and may reach a height of 40 feet.

My own Davidia, I'm sorry to say, is a bit crowded by other tall trees and therefore remains somewhat skinny. The flowers appear in the spring and are grouped together. The ball of dark red Stamens, a central cluster, is about one inch in diameter.

The surrounding pair of white petals, which are really bracts, provide the real excitement of the tree. The bracts form a canopy over the flowers and are of unequal size. The larger bracts are about 7 inches long, the shorter ones 3 to 4 inches long. Fluttering in a light breeze they do resemble a dove's wings, or a handkerchief.

The blossoms last for about two weeks. Unfortunately, the tree doesn't begin to bloom until it is at least 19 years old.

By early summer, the green, pear shaped fruit, about 1.5 inches long, appears. Leaves of the Davidia are about 3 inches long and covered with short white hairs on their undersides.

This is an undemanding tree, thriving in light shade and moderately acid soil. There is a variety of D.involucrata, vilmoriniana, which is hardier, able to grow as far north as Zone 5. It looks identical to D. 

involucrata. The real thing is hardy to 14 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tree Baltimore: What is tree canopy?
	 by Rebecca Feldberg
Imagine you are a bird flying above the trees, looking down on Baltimore City. The tree leaves and branches that cover the ground when viewed from above are tree canopy. 20% of Baltimore is covered by tree canopy.

What is the tree canopy goal? 
With present practices, Baltimore is losing Tree Canopy.  However, Baltimore City is committed to reversing this trend and increasing the tree canopy to 40%, or doubling it. Our success depends on the involvement of the entire civic community.

Why increase the tree canopy? 
It’s about quality of life! Our urban forest:  Provides shade to mitigate temperatures 
  Beautifies our community
  Cleans our air and water
  Provides wildlife habitat
  Increases our property values and
  Makes Baltimore a better place to live

What is carbon sequestration?
One of the most important functions of the urban forest is removing carbon from the atmosphere that contributes to global warming and climate change. Trees store the carbon in a process called carbon sequestration.

Why Now?
Nation-wide, policy makers increasingly recognize the value of trees in solving some of our environmental problems. In December of 2003, the Chesapeake Executive Council signed a Riparian Forest Buffer Directive that included setting goals for tree canopy in urban areas in order to protect the Chesapeake Bay from the pollutants in urban runoff.
A study performed by MD Department of Natural Resources & USDA Forest Service measured Baltimore’s existing tree canopy, 20%, and determined the possible tree canopy. Using this information, the City adopted a 40% goal in thirty years, or doubling our canopy.

How do I get involved?
1. Baltimore’s Draft Urban Forest Management Plan is available for review. The plan identifies ways to:
  Preserve existing trees and forests
  Improve the tree-growing environment
  Select trees for diversity and suitability
  Increase space for tree planting opportunities
  Improve the regulatory framework
  Educate the public on the value of trees and tree care
  Build capacity for tree planting and care in the public & private sectors

Download a copy at: http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/government/recnparks/treeBaltimore.html or contact Myra Brosius, TreeBaltimore Coordinator, 410 396-6109 for questions or to get on our e-mail list!
2. Learn about policies and procedures of the Forestry Division: Rebecca Feldberg, City Arborist 410 396-6109; rebecca.feldberg@baltimorecity.gov 
www.ci.baltimore.md.us/government/recnparks/forestry.htm
3. Request a street tree from the Forestry Division: Mike Morris, 410 396-6109, michael.morris@baltimorecity.gov
4. Participate in the Community Tree Steward, Community Forestry, or Weed Warrior programs of the Department of Recreation and Parks: Hugo Lam, Office of Park Conservation and Community Outreach, (410) 396-0339; Hugo.Lam@baltimorecity.gov
5. Participate in the Community Greening Stewardship Program, Parks and People Foundation:
Jaleel Nash at 410-448-5663, ext. 103; info@parksandpeople.org

Festivals and Special Events
EcoFestival -Location: Druid Hill Park by the Reservoir Date: Saturday, April 26th (rain date Sunday April 27th) Time: 11am – 5pm. 
Cylburn Market Day- Saturday, May 10, 2008 8 am-3 pm $4 Parking Fee. A popular annual event at Cylburn Arboretum. Opportunity to buy many kinds of plants - including small native trees from the Baltimore City Forestry Board.  Come early for best selection! http://www.cylburnassociation.org/

 Baltimore Herb Festival – Saturday, May 24, 2008 10am-4pm. $5. Admission Held in Leakin Park 1900 Eagle Drive Baltimore, MD 21207.  Herbs, vegetable seedlings, garden ornaments and small native trees from the Baltimore City Forestry Board. http://www.baltimoreherbfestival.com/

Maryland State Fair - Aug 22- Sep 1, 2008 Timonium all day. Admission charges vary.

BUS TRIP:  NOTABLE TREES  Of  BALTIMORE
On Saturday, May 17, there will be a special bus trip sponsored by the Baltimore City Forestry Board to see unusual and champion trees in Baltimore. The tour will leave from Cylburn Arboretum at 10 AM and return at 2 PM. Reservations are required and may be made at the Cylburn Arboretum Association office: 410-367-2217. The cost is $35 per person, which includes a box lunch and drink.

TO MULCH…OR NOT
by Ann Lundy
Mulching is beneficial for newly planted trees and for trees subject to damage from lawnmowers and string trimmers.  However, mulch that forms a “volcano”, or large mound, at the base of the tree is hazardous to its health – leading to girdling roots and bark damage from small rodents and disease organisms.  A 24 inch wide ring of mulch around the base of a newly planted tree will help keep moisture in the root-ball, keep down weed growth on the roo-tball and act as a buffer to keep lawnmowers and string trimmers away from the new tree.  The trick is to keep the mulch 2-3 inches away from the trunk and to only put down 2-3 inches of organic mulch (shredded hardwood bark, finely shredded pine bark or shredded leaves) at a time.  Only when almost all of that mulch has disintegrated and become part of the soil do you need to apply new mulch.
	
After a tree has become established in its new location, mulch is used to keep lawnmowers and string trimmers from getting too close to the trunk of the tree and breaking the bark which protects the 
tree.  Again, the mulch should not be applied so that it touches the bark of the tree or is more than 2-3 inches thick.

In the forest trees grow without competition from grass and are always “mulched” with leaf litter.  If you can plant your new tree in a location where the ground around it is always “mulched” with shade loving perennials and fallen leaves or organic mulch, you can mimic forest growing conditions and keep your tree even happier.

National Resources Career Conference Scholarships Available 
Scholarships are available for this year’s Forestry and Natural Resources Careers Week Training. The Maryland Association of Forest Conservancy District Boards and the Maryland DNR sponsor the workshop.

The workshop, located at the Hickory Environmental Education Center in Garrett County, will be held Sunday, July 20 to July 26, 2008. 

Two students will be selected from each county and Baltimore City to represent that area's Forest Conservancy District Board.  

Approximately fifteen professional foresters and environmental specialists will lead the 48 students, working in small groups.  

The students will have an opportunity to handle technical equipment and participate in tree climbing, water testing, animal tracking, map and compass use and fire control. Traditional Forestry will be the main focus of this educational experience with the inclusion of GIS and GPS technology. Watershed ecology is also emphasized as well as an entire day spent on Urban Forestry.  

Students may choose to earn two college credits 
(fees required) from Allegany College of Maryland. To earn the credits, the student must attend the entire week, complete a short exam, and present a team management plan. The credits will transfer to most community colleges in Maryland and several four- year colleges and universities.

This co-educational conference provides a real opportunity for high school students interested in a career in Natural Resources to learn from industry professionals and develop contacts that could lead to future employment and a career in natural resources.
 
Immerse yourself in forestry, wildlife, ecology, fisheries, watershed management, natural resources management, and conservation through hands-on field and classroom exercises.

Contact Sandy Sparks at srsparks@verizon.net for more information or go to: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/nrcareersconf.html

The Baltimore City Forest Conservancy District Board is an advocacy panel to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources‑Forest Service. 

The Board: 
Russ Moss, Chairman, 
Tom Green,  Treasurer, 
Meredith P. Millspaugh, 
Adelaide Rackemann, 
Gary Letteron, 
Ann Lundy , 
Darin Crew, 
Gary Novak, 
Ken Desmarais, 
Elspeth Wheeler
Sandy Sparks
Robert Black, Webmaster

Technical Advisors:  
Rebecca Feldberg, Forestry Division; Department of Recreation and Parks; 
Pam Kelly, Secretary, Executive Director, State Association MD DNR-Forest Service; 
Gerard Moudry - Member Emeritus

 Interested in volunteering? For more information, contact Pam Kelly at 410-260-8589. 

A copy of this newsletter is located on the Baltimore City Forestry Board website: http://www.baltocfb.sailorsite.net/BCFB.html