City Forest and Trees
Baltimore City Forest Conservancy District Board	
                                                            Baltimore, Maryland	  2009	

My Favorite Street Trees
By Rebecca Feldberg
“Baltimore City enjoys the unique landscape that is the result of an intricate make up of trees, streets, buildings and people. This exceptional make up is enhanced by a variety of tree species that ranges from the majestic oaks to the colorful maples to the patriotic elms onto our naturalized migrant from Japan, the zelkovas and finally the poplars with its distinctive leaf symmetry. Species announce the change of season and alter people's appreciation of time and dress, and slowly blankets the City's streets with colorful leaves embracing the landscape with a touch of rainbow.” Hugo S. Lam, December 2008
Baltimore City’s street tree program is quite a challenge.  There are so many factors that make it difficult for a tree to thrive in an urban setting. We have to handle drought, space constraints, utilities, vandalism, trucks, inadequate soil, improper Ph levels, and poor drainage, just to mention a few.  We are always looking for new introductions from the nurseries to provide a diverse and healthy population of street trees.  Over the years some have become my favorites.  Here is a sampling:
One of my favorite small trees is Acer buergerianum/ Trident Maple.  These small trees are a great option in areas that have overhead wires or tight conditions.  The trident maple is not a native maple but is very hardy with beautiful fall color and winter bark.  It grows 25-35 feet tall and shows no sign of being invasive in nature.  
Acer rubrum/ Red Maple is another favorite.  There are many fantastic cultivars, my favorites being ‘Red Sunset’ and ‘October Glory’. Red Maples are extremely hardy trees without the problems of the Silver Maples.  These two cultivars have extraordinary fall color and are not as large as the species.  They make good medium size trees at 40-60’ tall.
Another wonderful small native tree is the Carpinus caroliniana/ American Hornbeam. This is a tree found in our mid-atlantic forest as an understory tree but does well in full sun.  It has a unique bark that looks like muscles; hence one of its common names is musclewood.  It has a nice fall color ranging from yellow to red and gets 20—30 ft. tall. 
Liriodendron tulipifera/ Tulip tree is a wonderful street tree for the right place.  It is a very large, growing 70-90’ tall.  If given adequate space it can create a majestic look to a neighborhood.  I remember in my youth always admiring how straight they grow especially in the woods.  There are some wonderful specimens lining St. Paul St. north of University Blvd. It has the unique ability to handle drought by dropping a good portion of its leaves early to compensate.   It has a wonderful yellow fall color.  Tulip poplars are survivors and should be appreciated for all they have to offer to the mid-atlantic area.
I have many Oak favorites but I find one of the hardiest is the Quercus phellos/ Willow Oak.  Small leaves and small acorns make it a wise and popular choice for a street tree.  You can see an excellent collection of Willow Oaks at the University of Maryland, College Park campus lining the quad.  A recent survey of street trees confirmed my suspicions that we do not have enough Oaks planted in Baltimore.  Oaks are a very important part of the history of this area and we are planting many more of them now.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the new American elm hybrids.  ‘Ulmus Americana ‘Valley Forge’ and ‘New Harmony’ have the highest resistance to Dutch elm disease.  They are still hard to get from the nurseries but that will improve as their popularity increases.  I have watched these new cultivars growing for the past 10 years and they were well worth the wait.  They have very similar form to the original American Elms that lined our streets.  I look forward to the future when we see them again lining many of our city streets.  They grow 60-80’ tall with an upright spread.  This is also a tree that needs lots of room to grow but an ideal tree for a wide avenue.
The last tree I will mention is Zelcova serrata/ Japanese Zelcova.  A successful alternative to the American elm widely used when we did not have an Elm alternative.  Also upright arching, we have several beautiful parkways lined with these hardy successful trees, one location worth visiting is Gywnns Falls Parkway.  Because of their dense branching habit they are a challenge to prune but well worth the effort.  They grow 50-80’ tall and are very drought tolerant.
I have many more favorites but that will have to come later.  Find yourself a favorite tree to sit under.  I have mine.

Small Trees for Urban Yards
By Ann Lundy
The first small tree to flower in the spring is the Serviceberry (Amelanchier sp.).  It has smooth, striped silver/gray bark and is usually multi-stemmed.  In early April its clusters of white flowers alert us to warming weather (and time to plant peas!).  By June its purple/black fruits have attracted nesting birds eager for food for their offspring.  In Sept. as the nights begin to cool off its leaves turn orange and scarlet.  All it needs from the homeowner is a place in the sun (or part shade), decent soil and some water when drought strikes the city.
In late April the Dogwood (Cornus florida) and Redbud (Cercis Canadensis) flower, usually at the same time.  Both like sun or light shade (and appreciate protection from the hot afternoon sun).  Dogwoods prefer “woodsy” soil while Redbuds are less particular and will grow in almost any “dirt” (though good soil is preferred!).  In the fall the seeds of the Dogwood turn scarlet and attract migrating birds who like to stuff themselves on the high fat/high calorie seeds before they fly south.  The leaves of Dogwoods turn dark red as the temperature drops in the fall and the Redbuds turn yellow.  Both trees have distinctive branching patterns that provide winter interest.
By mid-May the Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus) is in bloom and the delicate white clusters perfume the surrounding air just as the leaves are starting to open.  By September, the loosely clustered grape-like fruits on the female trees have ripened and are devoured by the birds within days.  In October the leaves turn golden yellow.  These trees produce multiple stems and can be grown as large shrubs in sun or light shade and moist to average soil.
Late May brings the flowers of Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) and their sweet scent.  Flowers continue to open into July and planting one of these trees near a patio means weeks of pleasure.  The green leaves have silvery undersides and a gentle breeze will create a sparkling effect.  When the large fruits begin to ripen in September the birds will seek them out as soon as they can see the red seeds peeking out of the follicle.  These trees grow to 30 feet tall and thrive in constantly moist soil (near a downspout or in a low spot) in sun or part shade.  Their leaves turn yellow/brown in fall but often do not all fall off until late winter.
In July the small, sweet-scented flowers of the Sourwood (Oxydendron arboretum) open up on the ends of the upper branches.  They look like upside down Lilies of the Valley and attract pollinators (honey from Sourwood blooms is considered a delicacy!) in abundance.  By September the shiny leaves begin to turn scarlet, orange and red and rival any fire engine in their striking color.  The seed pods remain until the following year and are interesting in themselves.  This tree grows slowly and needs a location with acid soil and good drainage in sun or light shade.  Its rather eccentric growth habit makes it a good specimen tree as it just becomes more interesting with age.

Volunteer Seedlings (Natures’ Gift)
By Russ Moss
 How often have we all treated volunteer tree seedlings like weeds?  We mow them down or thoughtless toss them into the compost bend without considering the value of the gifts from nature we are wasting.  Four years ago my Japanese maple delivered seedlings on my neighbor’s side of the fence.  That neighbor was wise enough to gently transfer that infant tree into a container submerged in the soil.  Today at five feet in height that free seedling would cost about fifty dollars at area nurseries.
 	Two blocks away my neighbor Nancy has a towering very prolific Larch tree.  She has offered baby Larches to any takers that would give them a good home.  All three of the tiny Larches I potted a year ago are now two feet tall and growing happily at their new home.  At maturity these guys will be about eighty feet in height.
So even if you do not have space for your volunteer tree seedlings, value them for natures’ gift that they are.  Potted they make a perfect gift to family and friends.  Even consider making them available to civic groups and non-profits.  The price is certainly right and the pay-off is green.

Spicebush By Adelaide C. Rackemann
Lindera benzoin, should be better know as spicebush is a small, easily grown native to the eastern United States.  Extremely hardy, sometimes too much so, it may grow to be fifteen feet.   It can be found from Maine to Florida, and even in Texas.
	Here in Maryland, it is common to dense woods and its main feature is an aromatic quality of its twigs and leaves when pressed.  The yellow flowers bloom in April, before the foliage appears.  The ovate mat-green leaves turn yellow in the fall, when the pistillate plants produce small red berries. While the spicebush can grow anywhere, it favors moist soil.  Unfortunely, it seems to flourish in places where it is not wanted, such as in the middle of a climbing rose bush.  Still, it does have its usefulness, as it is sometimes made into an aromatic tea by crushing the leaves and fruits.  Dried powered berries have been used as a substitute for allspice.
Though hardly a specimen tree, Lindera benzoin is an acceptable addition to a wooded yard.  Interestingly, outside of gardening encyclopedias and Hortus, it is usually ignored in tree books.

Seeking High School Students Interested in Natural Resources Careers in Western Maryland—It’s Free 
Join field professionals and high school students from across the state for seven days of intense instruction and fun at the Hickory Environmental Education Center in Garrett County, Maryland.  
Natural resource professionals and dedicated volunteers have developed the extensive and relevant curriculum. Traditional Forestry will be the main focus of this educational experience with the inclusion of GIS and GPS technology. Urban Forestry comprises an entire day.  Watershed ecology is also emphasized. 
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.  
•	Use GIS, GPS, computer simulation, and other field tools related to careers in natural resources.  
•	Opt for college credit in beginning forestry (fee required).
•	Become eligible for four $500 college scholarships designated for forestry, arboriculture, urban forestry and natural resources. 
Visit the website for application details:
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/nrcareersconf.html 
Complete the NRCC Application Form downloaded from the website after determining that you are available to attend the NRCC in western Maryland the entire week of July 19-25.  Apply by April 30. Early applications are strongly encouraged. For more information, call Sandy Sparks at 410-243-2156.

My Experiences at the Natural Resources Careers Conference By Marcus Harcum (currently a senior at the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute High School)
When I first heard about the NRCC it was during my junior year in high school (2008). My boss Mary Washington (Parks and People) told me about the program and said that I was chosen because she thought I was capable of doing the work. I accepted it gladly because I knew in my mind that this would be a really good opportunity to advance to the next chapter in my life. When the week came for me to leave however, I felt nervous and scared. I had never been away from my friends and family for a full week; I thought to myself, " boy this is going to be really different."
First day in Hickory Environmental Education Center in Garrett County was very soothing. The counselors made it easy to unpack and get comfortable with the surroundings. By the end of the first day everybody knew who their group leaders and teammates were. The next day was the official day of the conference, which means every morning wake up at 7:00, which was a little challenging for me in the summer time but I knew that is was necessary because of what was planned, and everyday something new and different was arranged for us to do.
The activities that were scheduled for us ranged from making a management plan to climbing trees. I learned how to pun trees, use GIS, suppress fire, forest measurement, and plant trees, climb trees, and understand chainsaw safety and how to create a management plan. Some of the trips we went on were very impressive, we went to a paper mill in Luke, MD and to see how wood was turned into paper was unbelievable. We had a host of special guest and big time companies such as Davey and Bartlett Tree Company, Clarissa Harris, Liz McDowell, Bernie Zlomek, Alan Klotz, Chuck Hoffeditz, Randy Kamp, Mark Spurrier, and Kevin Dodge talk to us about careers in forestry, logging and wildlife.
My experiences at the NRCC were the most educational and exciting thing I have ever done. It opened my eyes to the environment, help me understand what is happening to the environment and to consider helping the environment for a living and making the world a better place to live.

Festivals and Special Events
EcoFestival - Saturday, April 18th (rain date – Sunday April 19th) Time: 11am – 5pm. Location: Druid Hill Park by the Reservoir. Baltimore Green Week kicks off with an EcoFestival as a celebration of our regional environment. Attendees will find fun family events and resources that promote sustainable living. Held in Druid Hill Park, near the Woodberry light rail stop, bus lines and Jones Falls trail, the EcoFestival will include workshops, demonstrations, vendors with sustainable products, healthy food, music and art. 
http://baltimoregreenweek.org/page.php?id=346 
Arbor Day- Friday the 24th at 11:00. Ceremonies will take place under the large oaks overlooking the reservoir near the "Parkie" pavilion. From the road north of the reservoir turn onto Red Road and make 1st left in front of Safety City. Park down in the little pull-in down on the left. The event is free.
Flower Mart- May 1 and Saturday, May 2 from 11 Am to 8 PM both days. Come on down to the Washington Monument and buy your Springtime bedding plants and hanging baskets and your Mother's Day jewelry, art glass or handmade purses.  http://www.flowermart.org
Cylburn Market Day Saturday May 9, a popular annual event in Baltimore. Parking may limited owing to major construction on the grounds. http://www.cylburnassociation.org/
Baltimore Herb Festival  Saturday, May 23, 2009 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 23, 2009 –Sep. 03, 2009 Timonium all day. Admission charges vary.

Trees Await Good Home (Reprinted from the Baltimore Sun Paper November 16, 2007 Watchdog Section) 
By Liz F. Kay
Unplanted saplings losing leaves in city park aren't dead; they're awaiting transfer to permanent sites during the planting season 
The problem Unplanted trees appear to be dying in a Recreation and Parks lot. 
      	The backstory: Daniel and Melissa Burke have been puzzling over an unusual sight during their regular runs through Druid Hill Park. In early summer, they noticed unplanted trees with their root balls covered in burlap sitting in a city Department of Recreation and Parks lot within the park, sometimes under a sprinkler.
    	"I thought it was great - there's going to be more trees somewhere in the city," Melissa Burke said. "But they continued to sit there for weeks and weeks."
  	More trees have appeared since then, but now the leaves on most of them have turned brown or fallen off, Dan Burke said. The two wondered why the trees were accumulating in the lot and why they were being left to die. Thankfully, the saplings have not departed for that great nursery in the sky. 
  	"We have been getting our trees to be planted this fall," said city arborist Rebecca Feldberg. The plants are destined to join others as street trees during the planting season, which stretches from October through April or May. The brown or nonexistent leaves are not a worry. "They're dormant," she said. Like other deciduous trees, the unplanted trees have leaves that change color and fall off during the fall. 
 	The department receives donations from nursery trade shows. "We generally try to only take the trees we know we can plant," Feldberg said. However, knowing the trees will only be thrown away if not accepted, sometimes personnel pick them up.
  	The Burkes were relieved to hear the trees will be planted. "You don't want to see taxpayer money going to waste, and you don't want to see trees without a home," Melissa Burke said. 
  	Who can fix this: Readers who see problems with street trees can call Rebecca Feldberg, city arborist, at 410-396-6109. City residents can also call 311 to report problems.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.watchdog16nov16,0,62208.story

Ailanthus by Adelaide C. Rackemann
Also known as the Tree of Heaven, Ailanthus is usually considered a weed.  It is probably the most easily grown tree in American cities, including Baltimore.  Hardy to zone 4, it seeds its self whenever the fruiting trees produce seeds. The sexes of Ailanthus are separate. Male trees flower in late June. They produce foul smelling, yellow cluster seedpods. Later the female trees produce large clusters of flowers. The “keys” are similar to those of maple and elm trees, except the seed is in the middle of the wing.  Ailanthus altissima   is resistant to most pests but susceptible to verticillum, which also attacks maples and elm trees. 
Introduced in the late 18th century from China, Ailanthus altissima is a tree that will grow in poor soil.  If better ground is available, it produces more seedlings. Even though many consider it a weed, it is an attractive plant that has compound leaves of six to twelve pair of leaflets that presents a graceful arrangement.
We may scorn the Ailanthus but in my opinion if only the female trees were planted, there would be no problem. The seedling and odor problem would be eliminated.  An attractive A. altissima is erythrocarpa. 
A rapidly growing tree, it may become as tall as sixty feet within fifteen years.  Ailanthus is the tree referred to in the brook, A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith.  A tree that grows where nothing else will seed is surely valuable.

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), Adelaide Rackemann,(Editor) Meredith P. Millspaugh, 
Gary Letteron, Ann Lundy, Darin Crew, Gary Novak, Ken Desmarais, Elspeth Wheeler, Sandy Sparks, Patrick Holmes, Sarah Lord, Kari Smith, 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      
http://www.baltocfb.sailorsite.net/BCFB.html