Embracing Tradition and Innovation
By Liselotte Vince, CCEDC MGV
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Article Photos by Liselotte Vince |
A silent sentinel, this majestic Northern Red Oak graces my property, having stood witness to over 200 years of American history. Its age, estimated at 227 years, places it right at the birth of our nation (1797). | |
Over the years, the oak has weathered countless storms, both literal and figurative. It has silently observed the nation's remarkable journey, from the early days of John Adams' presidency to the moon landing and beyond.
While time has taken its toll, leaving behind fallen limbs and requiring the support of careful cabling, the oak's spirit remains undaunted. It perseveres, preparing to unfurl its leaves once more and embrace the coming spring.
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The presence of this ancient tree fosters a sense of profound connection to the natural world. The sunlight dappling its bark creates a scene of serene beauty, and the stillness beneath its branches offers a welcome respite from the daily hustle. I find solace in sitting beneath its shade on a hand-crafted bench made from its fallen kin. The air carries a sense of serenity, a whispered echo of the countless stories this silent witness holds within.
Oaks serve as a keystone species, meaning its presence has a disproportionately large impact on the surrounding environment. The oak's expansive canopy provides a critical habitat for a diverse range of fauna. Squirrels, chipmunks, and other mammals call its branches home, while countless bird species utilize its sturdy limbs for nesting and perching. The leaves and acorns serve as a vital food source for a multitude of creatures, including deer, rabbits, insects, and songbirds.
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Oaks are insect havens, offering a smorgasbord of leaves for caterpillars and nutritious acorns for other insects. The grand architecture of these trees provides a complex habitat with nooks and crannies for shelter and breeding. Some insects even have special symbiotic relationships with oaks, providing pollination or protection in exchange for food and shelter.
This bounty of caterpillars becomes a vital source of protein for young birds, while the acorns themselves feed deer, squirrels, and other animals. Mature oaks also provide crucial nesting cavities for birds, bats, and mammals, making them essential for a thriving ecosystem.
Furthermore, the oak's root system helps maintain healthy soil conditions, preventing erosion and fostering the growth of other plants.
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As Douglas Tallamy emphasizes in his book, The Nature of Oaks, planting one or more oaks is a fantastic way to contribute to local animal conservation and enjoy the wonders of nature right at home. This single tree creates a microcosm of life, sustaining a vibrant community of organisms and contributing to the overall health of the ecosystem.
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The age of this magnificent oak was estimated using a non-invasive method I learned during a forestry class at the New York Botanical Garden.
1. Determine the species of tree (oak, maple, ash etc).
2. Calculate the circumference of the tree at breast height (4.5 ft off the ground). Arborists call this the DBH or diameter at breast height. You can take a string and walk around the tree to measure its circumference or use a DBH measuring tape.
3. Divide the DBH by 3.14 (pi) to get the diameter.
4. Multiply the diameter by the growth factor of your species of tree or use this calculator.
While alternative methods like core sampling exist, they were not necessary for my purposes.
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A few years ago, I featured this oak on social media which caught the attention of Brian Kelly, founder of the Gathering Growth Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to tree and forest preservation. He is on a mission to document the largest and oldest trees of New York state for a book he is putting together. Though my oak was not deemed the largest documented by Mr. Kelly in New York, his dedication to preserving the stories of these living giants is truly inspiring. If you know of any old-growth trees in your area, I encourage you to reach out to him and contribute to this vital initiative.
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2024 Schedule
- April 5: Weed ID | Rats in Vegetable Gardens
- May 3: No-Mow May | What to do with Grass Clippings
- June 7: Tick & Mosquito Yard Treatments | Myth: Mosquito Repellent Plants
- July 5: Japanese Beetle Management | Aphid-Eating Insects
- August 2: Spotted Lanternfly Update | Box Tree Moth Update
- September 6: Back to School: Bed Bugs | Head Lice
- October 4: Identifying Pests in Your Home
- November 1: 2024 Tick Blitz Results | No Spray Needed
- December 6: Feed the Birds | Repurposing a Holiday Tree
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Nature Stories: Cary Trail Opening with Local Libraries
When: Sat, Apr 13 @ 10am ET
Where: Cary's Millbrook campus
Register: In-person
A family-friendly trail opening event! Take a guided trail walk, participate in an eco-scavenger hunt, and learn about Cary science, education programs, and volunteer opportunities. This special event will also feature offerings from several local libraries.
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Sights & Sounds of Spring Evening Walk
When: Sat, Apr 20 @ 6pm ET
Where: Cary's Millbrook campus
Register: In-person
Please note: 'Family' tickets are for attendees 13 and under and their accompanying adults.
Cary Institute wildlife biologist Mike Fargione and educator Ashley Alred will lead an evening hike exploring the sights and sounds of spring on our campus. Discover how resident plants, amphibians, birds, and mammals are adapting to the change from winter to spring.
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RHINEBECK GARDEN CLUB
Proudly Presents
"Think Outside the Window Box!"
Presented by Donna Crosier
Wednesday, April 24th at 10 am
Rhinebeck Village Hall, 76 East Market Street
Presenter Donna Croshier, Master Gardener, Cornell Cooperative Extension-Dutchess County.
Program: “Think Outside the Window Box! Adding texture, year-round interest, and surprise in your gardens”.
Visitors are welcome.
Refreshments will be served.
Every year the Rhinebeck Garden Club puts together a series of meetings,
field trips, and events which are mostly open to the public.
For information, call Hannah at 914-263-5298 or logon to
https://www.facebook.com/p/Rhinebeck-Garden-Club-100064834505072/
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Fairy House Hunt
Locust Grove
2683 South Road, Poughkeepsie
Saturdays and Sundays in May & June!
It's that time of the year again to celebrate our historic flowers
and
trees in the gardens at Locust Grove with our annual Fairy House Hunt!
Tickets are $10/Person and children under 4 are FREE!
Tickets here: https://www.lgny.org/may
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SUBMIT UPCOMING EVENTS
Would you like information on an upcoming gardening event to be shared in this newsletter?
Please include the date, time, location, a short description, cost, and contact information for more details.
Send an email by the 15th of each month to be included in the next month’s newsletter.
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MASTER GARDENERS SPEAKERS BUREAU
Master Gardener Volunteers offer lectures on a wide array of subjects for gardeners.
Favorite topics include: Vegetable Gardening; Pollinator Gardens; Home Composting; Sustainable Gardening Best Practices; Gardening in Small Spaces; Deer Defense; Spotted Lanternfly; Jumping Worms, Spongy Moths, Putting the Garden to Bed in Fall; and Nature in Winter. Additional topics can be prepared to meet a particular group’s needs or interests.
The talks are 45 minutes in duration, followed by 10-15 minutes for questions from the group.
A fee of $100 per lecture (or 3 for $275) helps support our numerous community projects.
To arrange for a speaker and get more details on offerings, contact Francheska Kuilan at fk232@cornell.edu
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UPCOMING LIBRARY & GARDEN CLUB TALKS:
Note: We have a brand new presentation on 'Spongy Moths'. Let your local library know you are interested in hearing it and find out what you can do at home to help minimize the damage next year.
April:
RHINEBECK GARDEN CLUB
“Think Outside the Window Box!"
Presented by Donna Croshier
Rhinebeck Village Hall, 76 East Market Street
Wednesday, April 24th at 10 am
Howland Library
"Home Composting"
Presented by Philomena Kiernan
313 Main Street, Beacon
Thursday, April 18th at 6 pm
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CCEDC Horticulture Hotline & Diagnostic Lab
Need Soil pH Testing? Need Lawn or Plant Diagnosis?
Have any gardening questions?
The Horticulture Hotline, (845) 677-5067 will reopen April 17th.
NEW!
We now have our own email
Horticulture and Diagnostic questions can be emailed to:
CCEDC Horticulture Hotline & Lab*
Include as much details of the issue as you can. See CCEDC Form for all the details needed.
Photos should be included when at all possible. Please ensure it is well-focused, and shows the whole or a larger section of the plant and a close-up view of the issue.
Please call/email before dropping off diagnostic samples to arrange a drop of time.
This will help ensure your sample will be as fresh as possible for the lab.
Call 845-677-8223 or email fk232@cornell.edu
*The CCEDC Lab is not "staffed" by our volunteers daily.
Please allow up to 72 business hours for response (may be slightly longer on off season or during inclement weather).
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we get this up and running.
For more information, including required forms and a listing of our current service fees:
CCEDC Horticulture Diagnostic Clinic
Cornell University Diagnostic Services:
Gardening Information:
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Websites for Gardeners - many topics, including bees, nuisance wildlife, mushrooms, invasive plants, certified arborists and weed ID.
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****ENROLLMENT IS NOW OPEN ****
TRAINING IS PLANNED FOR THE FALL OF 2024
Master Gardener Position Description
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CCEDC Master Gardener Volunteer training is held from September through December, in alternate years. Trainings are a mix of in-person, group practicums on weekends, and self-paced weekly online learning modules through the Moodle platform.
Applications are due by June 1, 2024
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If you are interested in becoming a Dutchess County Master Gardener Volunteer,
please fill out the Dutchess County Master Gardener Volunteer application and mail it to: Dutchess County Farm & Home Center, 2715 Route 44, Suite One, Millbrook, New York 12545-5566 or email it to Francheska Kuilan at fk232@cornell.edu
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You are the reason that our organization has been able to play a pivotal role in community and economic development in Dutchess County for over 100 years. Your continued participation and support of CCEDC has made direct impact this year.
Together, we can lay the foundation for a successful year ahead, ensuring the lasting impact of our programs and our ability to navigate challenges while seizing new opportunities.
Will you join us now in making this happen?
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Websites mentioned in Dutchess Dirt are provided as a courtesy to our readers. Mention of these websites does not imply endorsement by Cornell University, Cornell Cooperative Extension or by the author.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.
The programs provided by this agency are partially funded by monies received from the County of Dutchess.
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