City Forest and Trees
Baltimore City Forest Conservancy District Board	
                                                            Baltimore, Maryland	  2010	

Adelaide H.C. Rackemann
We of the Baltimore City Forest Conservancy District Board mourn our long-time board member Adelaide Rackemann, 86, who died last summer from a fall at home after a morning swim. 
Raised in Port Washington, NY, educated at Wellesley College and Columbia University, Adelaide Crawley came to Baltimore in 1951 to serve as a librarian at the Enoch Pratt Library. She wed Frank Rackemann, an Evening Sun reporter who wrote the Baltimore Sun’s gardening column. 
As Adelaide was fond of exotic tropical plants, they added a greenhouse to their 1880s clapboard Bare Hills house, which they shared with multitudes of stray cats and a succession of grumpy dogs. For years their little red barn housed a pair of donkeys while their henhouse produced fresh eggs and fine fertilizer for a garden chockablock with perennials, vegetables and specimen trees.  
Adelaide, a gifted horticultural writer, also wrote music and book reviews for the Sun, led spring bird walks around Lake Roland, tutored in literacy programs, was avid about tennis, bridge, and Baltimore opera and football. She was active in democratic political campaigns from Adlai Stevenson to Barack Obama, and devoted to furthering all things green in Baltimore.
As she edited not only this Newsletter but also Cylburn Arboretum’s, Adelaide will be memorialized with the planting of a sweet bay magnolia near the Cylburn Mansion. Everyone is invited to attend a memorial tea in her honor, at 12:30 pm Sunday May 30, 2010 at Cylburn. If you wish to contribute to this event and to the Magnolia virginiana planted in Adelaide’s memory, please write your check to Baltimore City Forestry Board (memo: “AHCR Tree”) and mail it to 
Sarah Lord, Chair
1421 Park Ave
Baltimore MD 21217-4231

The Beautiful Magnolia virginiana L
By Ann Lundy
One of Adelaide Rackemann’s favorite trees was the Sweetbay Magnolia. It is sometimes known as the Sweetbay, Swamp Magnolia or Swamp Bay. It was introduced to cultivation in 1688. Colonists referred to it as the beaver tree, because its fleshy roots helped them trap beavers. 
This tree can be found occurring naturally in areas that are continually moist such as along ponds, streams and swamps. It will crop up on its own following a fire and form thickets. Maryland has a number of Magnolia Bogs in seepage areas in the Coastal Plain (east of I-95), which are home to the most northern naturally occurring stands of Magnolia virginiana.  It is most common in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Alabama but can also be found in New York, Texas, Tennessee and Arkansas and is hardy to Zone 5. 
Sweetbay Magnolia trees can be either deciduous or evergreen depending on the climate. In areas with mild winters in the southern range, it tends to be evergreen, while it is deciduous in the north. These trees are medium-sized trees that can grow to heights of thirty feet in Maryland and taller in more southern climates. They have an open crown with lightly spreading branches and are usually multi-trunked in cultivation.  They grow in part shade or full sun and are an understory tree in the wild.  The bark is thin but very tight, and is a gray-brown color. The inner bark has a mild scent to it, similar to the bay laurel spice. 
The leaves of these trees are simple and have a blunt, pointed tip. The leaves are thin but leathery and are medium green, shiny and smooth on the surface and are glaucous on the lower surface making them appear silvery underneath. 
Sweetbay Magnolia flowers are creamy white blossoms that are showy but short-lived. They start to appear in late spring to early summer and often continue to appear for 6-8 weeks. The flowers have a strong, sweet vanilla scent that can be smelled from a distance, particularly in humid weather. 
These flowers give way to fruits that are a collection of smooth, red follicles. These mature in early autumn and then release a number of red, fleshy, oval-shaped seeds, which are relished by birds. 
This tree has many uses, but is mainly used as an ornamental tree. Its attractiveness makes it a popular plant for large patios, gardens and parks and any moist area. It is popular with many people due to its beautiful, clean foliage, its fast growth, and its sweetly scented flowers and attractive fruits. These handsome plants are quite resistant to damage by ice storms. 
The wood of these plants is also very useful. It is soft and even-grained, which makes it very easy to work with. The wood also gives off a pleasant, slight aroma. As a result it is used widely in the manufacture of veneer, containers, furniture, boxes, pulpwood and some forms of lumber. 
In the wild, the Sweetbay magnolia trees provide browse for deer, the flowers provide nectar and pollen for insects and the seeds provide food for migrating birds.   In the garden they are graceful, ornamental trees with lovely, fragrant flowers and an attractant for many species of birds.

Embrace Arbor Day 2010
By Sarah Lord 
The State of Maryland celebrates Arbor Day on the first Wednesday in April (the 7th) and the City of Baltimore will mark it on the last Friday (April 30th). Between them is a whole month of service projects dedicated to greening our urban environment. We hope you will join one.
Arbor Day dates back to 1872 when President Cleveland’s former Secretary of the Agriculture, Julius Sterling Morton, created it to plant one million trees in Nebraska, and to promote the concept that the land and its people benefit greatly from trees. Over the years, the movement caught on in every state. Now there are Arbor Days around the globe, where nations seek to nurture sustainable tree cover.
Health, of course, is what Arbor Day is all about. Cities like Chicago and New York focus on trees as a natural way to reduce the “heat island” effect of urban development, to help filter from the air harmful automobile and industry pollutants, to ameliorate storm water run-off, and to promote attractive communities (believe it or not, neighborhoods with trees are lower in crime).

So how does Baltimore measure up?

Back in 1985 Mayor Schaefer signed Baltimore up as a “Tree City USA.”  Our most recent mayors, O’Malley and Dixon, took significant steps to create a greener cleaner Baltimore by planting thousands more trees. This priority is winning awards for Charm City: on April 30 (also National Arbor Day) Mayor Rawlings-Blake will receive a Tree City Award from the National Arbor Day Foundation. We will also receive a PLANT Award and a Grow Award from the state of Maryland. 
Anne Draddy is the effective head of TreeBaltimore, the mayoral initiative to double Baltimore’s tree canopy. The goals of our dynamic new City Arborist Brian Henry, already adept at scissoring through red tape, are to map every neighborhood’s present and proposed trees and to improve their longevity. 
Come to Collington Square Park in east Baltimore April 30, to learn about the City’s green initiatives, to applaud the fifth-graders whose posters are entered in the National Arbor Day contest, to learn how to get involved in the work of your local watershed associations, and to receive low-cost trees for planting in your community.

Watering Project Kick Off
 By Russ Moss
     	When new trees are planted watering is crucial for their survival, especially during hot weather.  We have all seen trees along our streets that literally die of thirst.  Then, you wonder, why doesn't somebody please water those trees?  Well, once we kick off the Watering Project, we hope that somebody will be YOU.
 	It costs several hundred dollars to purchase and plant a tree.  If that tree matures, it adds several thousand dollars of value to nearby real estate, reducing energy bills by providing shade, helping clean our air, offering birds and squirrels habitat, and adding to our city’s sense of peace and beauty. 
This April the City Arborist will oversee the planting of 1000 trees, part of TreeBaltimore’s ongoing effort to double Baltimore’s tree canopy to give us a healthier city. At a time when budgets are tight and our environment is threatened, we cannot afford to allow these young trees to die for lack of water.
On Baltimore City's Arbor Day (April 30, 2010) Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will receive national and state awards honoring Baltimore City’s commitment to expanding the urban canopy. TV meteorologists, city officials and representatives of numerous organizations working for a greener Baltimore will join forces to promote the Watering Project. Just as bad air quality alerts are now routine in newscasts, we are counting on weathercasters to remind us to water newly planted trees whenever rainfall is low or temperatures are high.
So who is the most important participant in the 
Watering Project? Why, YOU are!

Remembering 
The Record Blizzards of 2010
In 1939 gangster Al Capone made a gift to Baltimore’s Union Memorial Hospital, in thanks for his five weeks of treatment for syphilis following his release from Alcatraz. But in 2010, in February when Baltimore became “The Snowy-est City in the U.S.” Al Capone’s weeping cherry joined the ranks of damaged or downed trees. The 70 year-old city “Champion” with the fabulous pink blossoms was badly split.
Cuttings from the original have been made, so “baby Al Capones” will continue to thrive.

Getting to the Root “flare” of Tree Health
By Bryon Salladin, ISA Certified Arborist
Take a look at the trees in your yard, on the street, in the park. Do the tree trunks flare out at the base, or do they tend to look more like telephone poles, going straight down into the ground with no “root flare”? The part of a plant where the stem and root system meet is called the “root collar” which properly has a “flare” where it transitions between the stem wood and the roots.  A lack of root flare is likely when the roots are buried too deeply. 
If tree roots are planted too deep, secondary roots grow toward the surface trying to produce a whole new system of roots at the correct depth. Several years on, these roots can girdle the underground trunk like a noose, resulting in slowed growth, lost tree vigor, and premature death. Besides battling stem-girdling roots, trees planted too deep can suffer from below ground trunk rot and root suffocation. 
Whether your tree is container-grown, balled-and-burlapped, or bare-root, how you plant it impacts it significantly. It’s common practice to plant with the young tree’s soil line level with the site’s soil line. That’s fine if the root flare is visible, but if there is excess soil over the root system when the tree is dug and balled at the nursery, then anyone following the normally accepted installation practice could actually be planting the root system several inches too deep. It only takes a few minutes to find the root flare prior to planting. The key is to determine where the topmost root (called the root flare) is growing off the trunk. You then have to ensure that the root flare is at—or ideally just above—the soil grade of the planting site.
	It is far more efficient to check for the flare ahead of time, and adjust the soil ball, than it is to go back later to correct it. So follow this method: 1) find the root flare before digging the hole, 2) uncover the flare if there is excess soil, and 3) do not plant the tree too deeply. Your tree’s vigor will be improved and it will reach its potential much faster.

Look Up, Think Big 
By Amanda Cunningham-ISA Certified Arborist  
Searching for big trees makes you stretch your head back and look up. It makes you stop and consider with admiration those largest of plants – trees.  
Majestic is the way to describe the Northern Red Oak in the westside neighborhood of Windsor Hills. It measures 120 feet in height and 18’2” in circumference. A neighbor told us it used to serve as a navigational marker for ships in the harbor. It crowns the front lawn of a home on Lawina Avenue at the top of a hill, and is indeed remarkable. Estimated to be over 200 years old, it appears to be in good health thanks to proud owners who care for it.  
The Big Tree Program started in Maryland in 1925. It has evolved into a National Registry, with our state’s 24 Forestry Boards measuring trees to be submitted to American Forests as champions for their species. Overall responsibility for our state program lies with the Maryland Forestry Conservancy District Board, a volunteer group with minimal state funding.  
A registry of Big Trees is important for building tree stewards and for encouraging research and education.  The Maryland Big Tree Program has four main purposes:
1. Recognize owners who care for their big trees
2. Provide a reference for scientific studies
3. Provide a record over time of changes to species’ distribution
4. Document locations of rare and unusual species

The current Baltimore City Champion Tree Registry was last produced in 2002 and is being updated with the help of John Bennett, and the MBTP Measurement Team.  We are fortunate to have John and his crew from Cecil County joining with folks from the City Forestry Board to accurately re-measure our notable trees.  The group documents 6-8 trees each visit, working quickly and efficiently stretching out the tape, sighting for the height with clinometers or more recently, a laser hypsometer, which gives a very accurate reading. The MBTP records the species, its background, its ownership, its circumference, height, and crown spread. 
Champion trees are assigned a total number of “points” based on measurements of the canopy spread, the girth of the trunk, and the height of the tree.  The formula is:
Circumference + Height+1/4 of the Average Crown Spread = Total Points.
So, for instance, that Northern Red Oak in Windsor Hills scores 398 total points, which makes it a champion for its species here in Baltimore City. It is only 5 points behind the state champion located in Allegheny County.  
Since the majority of champion and notable trees are located on private property, the owner’s permission is required before we can re-measure. This process involves securing permission letters.  Most property owners reply right away but sometimes personal contact is required, with a visit by a local forestry board volunteer. Once a list of trees is decided upon and locations mapped, the MBTP Measurement Team gathers for a tree scavenger hunt that takes place from one end of the city to the other. It uses up a full weekend day but is always fascinating.  
Natural Resources Career Conference
This summer’s NRCC Camp for High School Students is Sunday, July 25 through Saturday, July 31 at the Hickory Environmental Education Center in Western Maryland
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 and Watershed ecology are also emphasized. 
High School students, who have reached age 16 by the first day of NRCC week, may choose to earn two college credits (fees required) from Allegany College of Maryland.  To be eligible, students 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 an 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 three $500 college scholarships designated for forestry, arboriculture, urban forestry and natural resources.
Talk with natural resource professionals and learn about college programs offered in these fields.  
Stay in rustic cabins in the scenic mountains of Garrett County.  
How to Apply
Baltimore City students should call Sandy Sparks at 410-243-2156
Or visit the following web site for information and application:
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/nrcareersconf.html

Festivals and Special Events
EcoFestival, Saturday, April 17th (no rain date) 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 30th. TreeBaltimore, the Department of Recreation and Parks, the Forestry Board and "green" Baltimore City 5th-Graders will hold a celebration in Collington Park Square. The city will receive a national award and two state awards, honoring its determination to plant more trees for a healthier environment. This festive event is free to all.
Flower Mart, May 7 & 8. 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 8, a popular annual event in Baltimore. Parking may be limited owing to major construction on the grounds. http://www.cylburnassociation.org/

Baltimore Herb Festival, Saturday, May 23. 10 am to 4 pm., $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 27–Sep. 06.
Timonium, Admission charges vary.

The Baltimore City Forest Conservancy District Board is composed of individuals who serve voluntarily to promote the expansion and nurture of the urban canopy, so as to improve the health and welfare of Baltimore's residents. 
All members of the Board are unpaid volunteers who work closely with state foresters. Members are formally appointed by the Director of the Maryland DNR-Forest Service on the recommendation of the chairman and members of the Board in consultation with our local DNR Forester. The board meets every third Tuesday of the month at the: Stieff Silver Building

The Board: 
Sarah F. Lord, (Chairman), Meredith P. Millspaugh, (Vice Chairman), Tom Green (Treasurer), Patrick Holmes (Secretary)
Russ Moss (Past Chairman), Ann Lundy (landscape designer), Gary Novak, Elspeth Wheeler, Sandy Sparks, Rebecca Feldberg (arborist), Bryon Salladin (arborist), Marian April Glebes, Sean Hyde, Robbyn Lewis, Charles Ryan Murphy (arborist), Amanada Cunningham (arborist) , Robert Black, (Editor & Webmaster). Gerard Moudry - Member Emeritus      

The Board’s Website:
http://www.baltocfb.sailorsite.net/BCFB.html